President's International Scholarship of Excellence: Application Guides

The President's International Scholarship of Excellence is awarded to international high-school applicants who demonstrate academic excellence, commitment to volunteer work and extracurricular activities, and leadership skills. Our President’s International Scholars represent students of the highest academic calibre from around the world.

Student Application Deadline:

January 26, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. EST

 

Nomination & Reference Submission Deadline:

February 4, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. EST

Student Guide: President’s International Scholarship of Excellence 2026

Are you an outstanding international student planning to begin your undergraduate studies at York University in Fall 2026? Here’s how you can be considered for the prestigious President’s International Scholarship of Excellence (PISE).

  • Be a high-school student entering the first year of undergraduate degree at York in Fall 2026.
  • Hold international student status and be subject to international tuition fees during their studies at York.
  • Demonstrate strong academic performance, leadership skills and active involvement in volunteer work and extracurricular activities.
  • Have a minimum final admission average of 80% (A) or equivalent.
  • Be officially nominated by a guidance counsellor, principal or senior school official. Maximum of two nominations per school in each year are accepted.

To access the International Scholarship Application, you must first apply for admission to an undergraduate program at York University for the Fall 2026 term. Once your application is received, you’ll be assigned a York University Reference Number, which you’ll use to log in to the scholarship application portal.

Apply for Admission Now

The scholarship application is now open. Use your York University Reference Number to access and complete the online application. The following information must be provided in the application:

  • A personal statement that explains why you are an exceptional candidate for the PISE. Your statement must speak to your personal professional goals, leadership skills, commitment to volunteer work and/or extracurricular activities. The maximum word count for this statement is 500 words.
  • A list of Extracurricular Activities & Community Involvement (maximum of 3).
  • A list of Previous Awards (maximum of 3).
  • Contact information for a guidance counsellor, principal, or senior official at your high school who will nominate you for this award and submit a reference letter.
  • (Optional) Additional reference letter highlighting your community involvement.
  • A financial profile indicating the estimated total amount of funding you will have to support your studies over the next three to four years.

Scholarship Application Form

Deadline: January 26, 2026 at 11:59 PM EST

Once your scholarship application is submitted, York University will email a link to your nominator with instructions to complete the official nomination form and submit a reference letter in support of your application.

Deadline: February 4, 2026 at 11:59 PM EST

Ready to Apply?

The President's International Scholarship of Excellence Application is now open! 

APPLY NOW

Educator’s Guide: President’s International Scholarship of Excellence 2026

Are your top international students planning to begin undergraduate studies at York University in Fall 2026? Here's how you can support their applications for the prestigious President’s International Scholarship of Excellence (PISE).

About the Scholarship

The President's International Scholarship of Excellence will be awarded to international high school applicants who demonstrate academic excellence, commitment to volunteer work and extracurricular activities, and leadership skills. Recipients will represent a variety of regions around the world and will be referred to as 'President's International Scholars'. 

To be considered for the President’s International Scholarship of Excellence, students must:

  • Be a high-school student entering the first year of undergraduate degree at York in Fall 2026.
  • Hold international student status and be subject to international tuition fees during their studies at York.
  • Demonstrate strong academic performance, leadership skills and active involvement in volunteer work and extracurricular activities.
  • Have a minimum final admission average of 80% (A) or equivalent.
  • Be officially nominated by a guidance counsellor, principal or senior school official. Maximum of two nominations per school in each year are accepted.
  • Nominator must be a guidance counsellor, principal or senior official at the student’s current high school.
  • Once the student submits their scholarship application online, an email is sent to the nominator with instructions to confirm the nomination and submit a reference letter.
  • The reference letter must be signed and appear on the school’s official letterhead. It should highlight the candidate’s academic achievement as well as their extracurricular involvement and contributions to the community.
  1. Select up to two students from your school to be nominated for the PISE award.
  2. Review the scholarship requirements and deadlines with your nominees.
  3. Ensure nominees apply to York University and obtain their York Application Reference Number.
  4. Have nominees complete the online scholarship application by January 26, 2026, including your name, title and email address.
  5. You will receive an email from York University with a link to submit the nomination confirmation and Reference Letter. Complete this step by February 4, 2026.

1. Confirm eligibility and secure a nomination from their high school.

2. Apply to York University Admissions.

3. Complete the online Scholarship Application Form. The following information must be provided in the application:

  • A personal statement (max. 500 words) outlining goals, leadership and community involvement.
  • A list of Extracurricular Activities & Community Involvement (maximum of 3).
  • A list of Previous Awards (max. of 3).
  • Contact information for guidance counsellor, principal or senior official that will nominate you for this award.
  • (Optional) A reference letter highlighting community involvement.
  • A financial profile indicating the estimated total amount of funding available to support your studies over the next three to four years.

4. Nomination & Reference Letter Submission. York University will email nominators a link to submit the official nomination form and reference letter.

Contact Us

We’re here to support you and answer your questions. Contact us at study@yorku.ca and we’ll get back to you shortly.

You can also register for upcoming events to connect with us and learn more about our programs and faculties, recruitment and admissions processes.

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