African students planning to begin undergraduate study in Canada in September 2027 can apply for several Carleton University scholarships, including automatic renewable entrance awards and the new President’s Welcome Award for International Students.
International students who enter Carleton directly from secondary school with an admission average of at least 85% and meet the university’s language requirements can automatically receive consideration for renewable entrance scholarships.
Under Carleton’s official 2027 entrance scholarship structure, awards range from CAD 1,000 to CAD 3,000 per year, depending on the student’s admission average. These scholarships can renew for up to four years when the student maintains the required academic standing.
International students applying for September 2027 also receive automatic consideration for the new President’s Welcome Award for International Students, worth CAD 2,000 to CAD 5,000 in first year. This award can be received in addition to other Carleton entrance scholarships.
Students with especially strong academic results and extensive extracurricular or community involvement can also apply for Carleton’s Prestige Scholarships, including awards worth up to CAD 32,000 over four years and a full-tuition scholarship under the Riordon Scholarship. Applications for the 2027/2028 Prestige Scholarships open in October 2026 and close on March 1, 2027.
Carleton University Scholarships 2027 at a Glance
University: Carleton University
Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Study Level: Undergraduate
African Students: Eligible
International Applications for September 2027: Open
Automatic Entrance Scholarship Minimum: 85% admission average
Automatic Entrance Scholarship Value: CAD 1,000 to CAD 3,000 per year
Maximum Automatic Entrance Scholarship Over Four Years: CAD 12,000
President’s Welcome Award: CAD 2,000 to CAD 5,000
Separate Application for Welcome Award: No
Prestige Scholarships: Up to CAD 32,000 over four years, with one Riordon Scholarship covering tuition under the award terms
Prestige Scholarship Deadline: March 1, 2027
Main International Admission Deadline: April 1, 2027 for applicants whose transcripts originate outside Canada or the United States
Study Begins: September 2027
Last Updated: October 2026
Are Carleton University Scholarships Open for 2027?
Yes.
Carleton is already accepting applications for programmes beginning in September 2027 through its international undergraduate admissions system.
International applicants whose transcripts originate outside Canada or the United States normally have until April 1, 2027 to submit their undergraduate application, although some programmes have earlier deadlines or additional requirements.
Carleton lists the current dates on its official undergraduate deadlines page.
However, scholarship applicants should not automatically wait until April.
Students interested in Prestige Scholarships need to submit the scholarship application by:
March 1, 2027.
Some programmes can also close earlier than the general international admission deadline.
Therefore, apply as early as possible.
Carleton Automatic Renewable Entrance Scholarships
Carleton offers automatic renewable entrance scholarships to international students entering directly from secondary school.
No separate scholarship application is required.
If Carleton admits you with an admission average of 85% or higher and you meet the university’s English-language requirements, the university automatically considers you for an entrance scholarship.
The 2027/2028 scholarship values are:
95% to 100% admission average: CAD 3,000 per year
90% to 94.9%: CAD 2,000 per year
85% to 89.9%: CAD 1,000 per year
The official Carleton entrance scholarship table shows that eligible students can receive these awards for up to four years.
How Much Can the Automatic Carleton Scholarship Be Worth?
Over four years, the maximum values are:
95%–100%: CAD 12,000
90%–94.9%: CAD 8,000
85%–89.9%: CAD 4,000
The scholarships renew if the student maintains an annual Carleton GPA of 10.0, equivalent to A- standing, under the current scholarship rules.
Therefore, strong academic performance after arriving in Canada remains important.
What Happens if Your Carleton GPA Drops?
If you fail to meet the required GPA during one academic year, you may lose the scholarship for the following year.
However, Carleton allows students to regain their original renewable entrance scholarship in a future year if they later meet the required GPA again.
Carleton explains the renewal arrangement on its international student cost and scholarship page.
President’s Welcome Award for International Students 2027
Carleton has introduced a new award specifically for international students entering in September 2027.
The President’s Welcome Award for International Students is worth:
CAD 2,000 to CAD 5,000.
The amount depends on the student’s grades when Carleton makes the admission decision.
According to Carleton’s official international scholarship information, there is no fixed number of awards, and eligible international students receive automatic consideration.
Do You Need to Apply for the President’s Welcome Award?
No.
International students applying for September 2027 receive automatic consideration.
You do not need to submit a separate scholarship essay or scholarship application.
However, you must:
- Enter Carleton directly from high school
- Pay international student fees
- Meet the applicable admission requirements
The award applies in first year.
Can You Receive the President’s Welcome Award and an Entrance Scholarship Together?
Yes.
This makes the new award particularly attractive.
Carleton states that the President’s Welcome Award is offered in addition to other entrance scholarships.
For example, imagine an international student receives:
CAD 3,000 automatic entrance scholarship
plus a:
CAD 5,000 President’s Welcome Award
The student could potentially receive:
CAD 8,000 in first-year Carleton scholarship support
subject to the final scholarship offers and conditions.
The renewable entrance scholarship could then continue in later years if the student maintains the required academic standing.
Carleton Prestige Scholarships 2027
Students with exceptional academics, leadership and extracurricular achievement should also apply for Carleton’s Prestige Scholarships.
These are Carleton’s highest-value entrance awards.
Applicants need:
- At least a 90% admission average
- Strong secondary school extracurricular involvement
- Demonstrated leadership
- Direct entry from high school or CÉGEP
Students who have previously attended a college or university cannot compete for these awards.
Carleton publishes the complete requirements on its 2027 Prestige Scholarships page.
Chancellor’s Scholarships
Carleton will offer:
10 Chancellor’s Scholarships
for 2027/2028.
Each scholarship is worth:
CAD 32,000 over four years
paid as:
CAD 8,000 per year.
Applicants need at least a 90% admission average and strong extracurricular involvement.
Richard Lewar Entrance Scholarships
Carleton will offer:
Seven Richard Lewar Entrance Scholarships.
Each award is worth:
CAD 21,500 over four years.
The payment structure is:
CAD 6,500 in first year
followed by:
CAD 5,000 per year in second, third and fourth year.
Applicants need at least a 90% admission average and strong extracurricular involvement.
Carleton University Scholarships of Excellence
Three students can receive a Carleton University Scholarship of Excellence.
Each award provides:
CAD 20,000 over four years
or:
CAD 5,000 per year.
Applicants need an admission average of at least 90% alongside significant extracurricular activity.
Carleton University SHAD Scholarships
Carleton will offer:
Two SHAD Scholarships
worth:
CAD 20,000 each
paid as CAD 5,000 per year for four years.
Students must meet the applicable Prestige Scholarship requirements.
Jay Woo and CAA Scholarship
The Jay Woo and CAA Scholarship provides:
CAD 20,000 over four years
or CAD 5,000 annually.
The same minimum 90% admission average and extracurricular requirements apply.
Riordon Scholarship
The Riordon Scholarship is one of Carleton’s strongest awards.
Carleton lists one Riordon Scholarship for the 2027/2028 competition.
It covers:
Full tuition in first, second, third and fourth year
under the scholarship’s terms.
However, Carleton notes that the scholarship is capped at the Canadian domestic full tuition fee amount.
This point matters for international students.
International tuition is higher than domestic Canadian tuition for many programmes, so African students should not automatically interpret the Riordon Scholarship as covering every dollar of international tuition.
Check the exact value stated in your award offer.
Prestige Scholarship Deadline 2027
The deadline to submit the 2027/2028 Prestige Scholarship application is:
March 1, 2027.
The application opens in:
October 2026.
Students need to submit the scholarship application and a signed reference letter.
Carleton also requires applicants to include their student number when submitting the application.
You can access the latest process through Carleton’s Prestige Scholarship application page.
Do African Students Qualify for Carleton Prestige Scholarships?
Yes.
Carleton’s Prestige Scholarships are not restricted to Canadian citizens.
International secondary school applicants can compete if they satisfy the scholarship requirements.
Therefore, students from African countries with:
- Excellent academic results
- Leadership experience
- Strong extracurricular involvement
should consider applying.
Can Nigerian Students Apply for Carleton Scholarships?
Yes.
Nigerian students can apply for undergraduate admission and international entrance scholarships at Carleton.
Eligible Nigerian students can receive:
- Automatic renewable entrance scholarships
- President’s Welcome Award
- Prestige Scholarships
- Other programme-specific awards
Carleton is also actively recruiting students in Nigeria. Its current international admissions calendar includes recruitment events in both Abuja and Lagos, which reflects the university’s active engagement with Nigerian applicants.
Can Ghanaian Students Apply?
Yes.
Eligible Ghanaian students can apply for Carleton’s international scholarships.
Your scholarship amount will depend on factors such as:
- Admission average
- Scholarship category
- Extracurricular involvement
- Leadership
Can Kenyan Students Apply?
Yes.
Eligible Kenyan secondary school students can apply for Carleton undergraduate programmes and international entrance scholarships.
Can Ugandan Students Apply?
Yes.
Ugandan students can compete for Carleton international scholarships if they meet the university’s admission and scholarship requirements.
Can South African Students Apply?
Yes.
South African students can apply for the same international entrance awards.
Can Rwandan and Tanzanian Students Apply?
Yes.
Eligible students from Rwanda, Tanzania and other African countries can apply.
Carleton does not restrict the automatic President’s Welcome Award to a small group of international nationalities.
Carleton International Admission Deadline 2027
International students whose academic transcripts originate outside Canada or the United States have a main application deadline of:
April 1, 2027
for September 2027 admission.
However, some academic programmes have earlier deadlines or additional admission-material requirements.
Therefore, students should check the exact programme before relying on April 1.
Important Carleton Dates for 2027 Applicants
September 2026: International undergraduate applications open
October 2026: 2027/2028 Prestige Scholarship application opens
March 1, 2027: Prestige Scholarship deadline
March 1, 2027: Deadline for certain programmes with programme-specific application requirements
March 5, 2027: Deadline for additional admission materials for applicable programmes
April 1, 2027: Main application deadline for international students whose transcripts originate outside Canada or the United States
September 2027: Fall undergraduate studies begin
Carleton publishes the current schedule on its official admissions dates and deadlines page.
Do You Need School Nomination?
Not for Carleton’s automatic entrance scholarships.
You also do not need school nomination for the President’s Welcome Award.
This makes Carleton simpler than scholarships such as the University of Toronto’s Pearson Scholarship or UBC’s International Scholars Program.
For the Prestige Scholarships, you submit a separate application and reference letter rather than relying on a school nomination.
Carleton English Language Requirements
International students must demonstrate that their English is strong enough for university study.
Carleton allows students to satisfy the English requirement in several ways.
One route involves completing the required period of full-time study in an education system where English serves as the primary language of instruction.
Students can also submit approved English-language tests.
For IELTS Academic, Carleton currently accepts:
6.5 overall
with at least:
6.0 in each band
for admission without an additional English-language requirement.
Carleton lists its accepted options on the university’s official English language requirements page.
Can African Students Apply Without IELTS?
Possibly.
IELTS is not the only way to satisfy Carleton’s English requirement.
For example, applicants can potentially qualify through their previous English-medium education if they satisfy Carleton’s conditions.
The university currently allows applicants to demonstrate English proficiency by showing that they studied full-time for the previous three years in a qualifying English-medium educational environment.
Therefore, students from countries such as Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya and Uganda should check whether their educational history satisfies Carleton’s requirements before registering for IELTS.
Do not assume that nationality alone guarantees an exemption.
Can You Apply With WAEC?
Nigerian and other West African applicants need to meet Carleton’s country-specific secondary school admission requirements.
The university evaluates international school qualifications according to the programme the student selects.
Therefore, applicants should check:
- Required secondary qualification
- Programme prerequisites
- Mathematics requirements
- Science requirements
- English requirement
before applying.
Competitive programmes can require stronger grades than the minimum needed for general admission.
Can Gap-Year Students Receive Carleton Scholarships?
Yes, potentially.
Carleton’s automatic renewable entrance scholarships are available to students entering the university for the first time with no previous attendance at a post-secondary institution.
Therefore, taking time off after secondary school does not automatically make you ineligible.
However, beginning university or college elsewhere can affect your entrance scholarship eligibility.
Can Current University Students Receive These Entrance Scholarships?
Not generally.
The automatic high-school entrance scholarships and Prestige Scholarships target students entering Carleton directly from high school or equivalent secondary education.
Students who already attended college or university use other Carleton award routes.
Carleton states that transfer students can receive consideration for in-course scholarships after completing a full academic year of study at Carleton.
Does Carleton Require Work Experience?
No.
These are undergraduate scholarships.
Professional work experience is not a standard requirement.
However, students can use meaningful work, entrepreneurship or volunteering as evidence of extracurricular involvement and leadership where relevant.
Are Carleton Scholarships Fully Funded?
Most Carleton international entrance scholarships are not full-ride scholarships.
The automatic entrance awards provide up to CAD 12,000 over four years.
The President’s Welcome Award adds between CAD 2,000 and CAD 5,000 in first year.
Prestige Scholarships can provide significantly more.
For example:
Chancellor’s Scholarship: CAD 32,000
Richard Lewar Scholarship: CAD 21,500
Scholarship of Excellence: CAD 20,000
Riordon Scholarship: tuition support for four years under its stated cap.
Students should still calculate the remaining tuition, accommodation, food, insurance, visa and travel expenses.
Can You Receive Several Carleton Scholarships?
Yes, in some cases.
The President’s Welcome Award specifically sits in addition to other entrance scholarships.
Other scholarships can have their own combination rules.
Always read the conditions attached to your final award.
How to Apply to Carleton University From Africa
Step 1: Choose Your Programme
Start by identifying the programme you want to study.
Carleton offers undergraduate degrees across fields such as:
- Computer Science
- Engineering
- Business
- Economics
- Journalism
- International Affairs
- Political Science
- Public Policy
- Mathematics
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Health Sciences
- Architecture
- Communication
- Information Technology
Check the prerequisites for your programme before applying.
Step 2: Check the Programme Deadline
Most international applicants whose transcripts come from outside Canada or the United States have until April 1, 2027.
However, some programmes close earlier.
Always check Carleton’s current admissions deadlines before submitting.
Step 3: Apply to Carleton
International students can apply using Carleton’s direct international application or the Ontario Universities’ Application Centre, depending on their circumstances.
Carleton explains both routes through its international applicant guidance.
After applying, Carleton sends you access information for Carleton360, its applicant portal.
Step 4: Submit Your Academic Records
Provide the transcripts and academic information Carleton requests.
Make sure your grades remain accurate.
Do not convert or inflate marks simply because you want a higher scholarship.
Carleton calculates your scholarship average using the grades your school provides in support of your admission application.
Step 5: Wait for Automatic Scholarship Consideration
Students with admission averages of at least 85% receive automatic consideration for renewable entrance scholarships.
International applicants starting in September 2027 also receive automatic consideration for the President’s Welcome Award.
No extra application is needed for these awards.
Step 6: Apply for Prestige Scholarships
If your admission average is at least 90% and you have strong extracurricular and community involvement, complete the separate Prestige Scholarship application.
You need:
- Completed application
- Signed reference letter
- Carleton student number
Submit everything by:
March 1, 2027.
How to Strengthen a Carleton Prestige Scholarship Application
Prestige Scholarships go beyond grades.
Every candidate already needs an admission average of at least 90%.
Therefore, your extracurricular profile becomes important.
Show What You Actually Did
Avoid:
“I was an active member of the environmental club.”
Instead:
“I coordinated a six-week recycling campaign that collected 800 kilograms of plastic from our school and surrounding community.”
The second sentence gives the selection committee evidence.
Show Leadership Without Relying on Titles
You do not need to be your school’s president.
Leadership can come from:
- Starting a programme
- Coordinating volunteers
- Building a project
- Mentoring younger students
- Running a small business
- Leading a sports team
- Organising a school activity
- Helping solve a community problem
Explain your actions and results.
Keep Your Activities Meaningful
Do not create ten new club memberships three months before applying.
Long-term involvement usually creates a stronger story.
For example, three years of consistent community tutoring may say more than joining seven organisations in your final year.
Use Numbers Where They Add Context
Instead of:
“I helped many students.”
write:
“I organised weekly mathematics tutorials for 38 junior students during my final secondary school year.”
Real numbers help assessors understand your impact.
Carleton vs Lester B. Pearson Scholarship
The Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship at the University of Toronto provides a more comprehensive four-year package covering tuition, books, incidental fees and full residence support.
Pearson is also extremely competitive and requires school nomination.
Carleton’s scholarships work differently.
Students receive automatic consideration for several awards based on their grades, and highly accomplished applicants can separately compete for Prestige Scholarships.
African students can compare the opportunities in our Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship 2027 for African Students: Fully Funded University of Toronto Scholarship.
Carleton vs UBC International Scholars Program
The UBC International Scholars Program focuses strongly on students with excellent academics, leadership and significant financial need.
Carleton’s automatic entrance scholarships mainly depend on admission averages, although Prestige Scholarships also assess extracurricular and leadership achievements.
Students who need substantial need-based support should also explore our UBC International Scholars Program 2027 for African Students: Fully Funded University of British Columbia Scholarship.
Carleton vs University of Alberta Scholarships
The University of Alberta offers several large competitive international scholarships, including awards worth up to CAD 120,000 over four years.
Carleton’s standard renewable entrance scholarships provide smaller amounts but are automatically awarded based on admission averages.
Carleton also adds the new President’s Welcome Award for international students and offers competitive Prestige Scholarships.
You can compare the options in our University of Alberta Scholarships 2027 for African Students: Study in Canada.
Carleton vs University of Waterloo Scholarships
Waterloo provides an automatic CAD 10,000 first-year International Student Entrance Scholarship to qualifying international students and offers larger faculty awards in areas such as Mathematics and Science.
Carleton offers renewable automatic scholarships worth up to CAD 12,000 over four years, alongside the new CAD 2,000–5,000 President’s Welcome Award and its competitive Prestige Scholarships.
Students considering both universities can read our University of Waterloo Scholarships 2027 for African Students: Canada Entrance Awards.
Common Carleton University Scholarship Mistakes
Assuming Every Scholarship Requires an Application
Automatic entrance scholarships and the President’s Welcome Award do not require separate applications.
Prestige Scholarships do.
Missing the Prestige Deadline
The deadline is:
March 1, 2027.
Do not confuse this with the general April international admission deadline.
Thinking 85% Guarantees the Same Scholarship for Everyone
The value depends on your admission average.
Students with higher averages receive larger automatic awards.
Ignoring Extracurricular Activities for Prestige Scholarships
A 95% average alone does not guarantee a Prestige Scholarship.
Carleton also assesses community and secondary school extracurricular involvement.
Starting University Somewhere Else
Previous post-secondary attendance can make you ineligible for the standard high-school entrance and Prestige Scholarship competitions.
Assuming the Riordon Scholarship Covers Unlimited International Tuition
Carleton states that the award’s full-tuition benefit is capped at the Canadian domestic full tuition amount.
International students should calculate the possible remaining balance.
Frequently Asked Questions About Carleton University Scholarships 2027
Are Carleton University Scholarships open for 2027?
Yes.
Applications for September 2027 undergraduate admission are open.
The Prestige Scholarship application also opens in October 2026.
Can African students apply?
Yes.
Eligible international students from African countries can receive Carleton scholarships.
Can Nigerian students apply?
Yes.
Nigerian students can compete for Carleton automatic and application-based awards.
Can Ghanaian students apply?
Yes.
Can Kenyan students apply?
Yes.
Can Ugandan students apply?
Yes.
Can South African students apply?
Yes.
What grades do I need for an automatic Carleton scholarship?
You need an admission average of at least:
85%.
How much is the automatic entrance scholarship?
Current values are:
95%–100%: CAD 3,000 per year
90%–94.9%: CAD 2,000 per year
85%–89.9%: CAD 1,000 per year.
Is the automatic scholarship renewable?
Yes.
You can renew it for up to four years by maintaining the required Carleton GPA.
How much is the President’s Welcome Award?
International students entering in September 2027 can receive:
CAD 2,000 to CAD 5,000.
Do I need to apply for the President’s Welcome Award?
No.
Eligible international applicants receive automatic consideration.
What is the largest Carleton Prestige Scholarship?
The Chancellor’s Scholarship provides:
CAD 32,000 over four years.
The Riordon Scholarship provides tuition support for four years subject to the university’s stated tuition cap.
What grades do I need for a Prestige Scholarship?
You need at least a:
90% admission average
plus significant extracurricular and leadership involvement.
When is the Prestige Scholarship deadline?
March 1, 2027.
When is the main international admission deadline?
For international students whose transcripts originate outside Canada or the United States, the main deadline is:
April 1, 2027
although some programmes have earlier dates.
Do I need IELTS?
Not necessarily.
IELTS is one approved route. Carleton currently requires 6.5 overall with no band below 6.0 for standard admission through IELTS Academic.
Students can also satisfy the English requirement through qualifying previous English-medium education or other approved tests.
Can gap-year students apply?
Yes, potentially, as long as they have not previously attended a post-secondary institution and otherwise meet the scholarship requirements.
Can transfer students get the automatic entrance scholarship?
The standard high-school entrance scholarship is designed for students entering Carleton for the first time without previous post-secondary attendance.
Transfer students use different scholarship routes.
Do I need work experience?
No.
These are undergraduate scholarships.
Are Carleton scholarships fully funded?
Most are not full-ride awards.
However, they can substantially reduce the cost of study, and some Prestige Scholarships offer much larger financial support.
Final Advice for African Students
Carleton University Scholarships 2027 give African students several ways to reduce the cost of undergraduate study in Canada without depending on one extremely competitive scholarship.
Students entering Carleton with admission averages of at least 85% can automatically receive renewable entrance awards worth between CAD 1,000 and CAD 3,000 per year.
International students beginning in September 2027 also receive automatic consideration for the new President’s Welcome Award, worth another CAD 2,000 to CAD 5,000 in first year.
Students with stronger profiles should go further.
If your admission average is at least 90% and you have meaningful leadership, community involvement or extracurricular achievements, apply for the Prestige Scholarships.
The largest standard Prestige award, the Chancellor’s Scholarship, provides CAD 32,000 over four years, while the Riordon Scholarship provides tuition support under its stated terms.
Applications for the 2027/2028 Prestige competition open in October 2026 and close on March 1, 2027.
Meanwhile, international applicants whose transcripts originate outside Canada or the United States generally have until April 1, 2027 to apply for admission, although some programmes have earlier deadlines.
Start with your programme.
Check its requirements.
Apply early.
Then let Carleton automatically assess you for entrance scholarships and the President’s Welcome Award.
If your profile qualifies, complete the separate Prestige Scholarship application before March 1.
For African students with strong secondary school results, Carleton is worth adding to the 2027 Canada application list because several of its scholarships can stack together and many require no separate scholarship application at all.