Karen McKellin International Leader of Tomorrow Award - University of British Columbia

The UBC International Scholars Program is for international students who have demonstrated leadership qualities, exceptional contributions to their communities, outstanding academic performance, and who require meaningful financial support to attend UBC. UBC states the purpose includes bringing together Scholars from diverse countries and cultures.

The program is aimed at international students who will be studying in Canada on a Canadian study permit and who are entering UBC directly from an accredited secondary school. Applicants must be applying for their first undergraduate degree and are considered for their first choice program when applying to the awards.

UBC requires applicants to meet eligibility criteria with no exceptions. UBC describes an evaluation process that includes a financial assessment reviewing documents about family gross income, expenses, and family assets. UBC also states that if applicants apply to the International Scholars Program, they will not be considered for merit-based awards.

• You are an international student who will be studying in Canada on a Canadian study permit.You are entering UBC directly from an accredited secondary school.You are applying for your first undergraduate degree.You have significant financial need and can prove it with official documents demonstrating your financial need.Your family is not able to afford a significant level of your educational costs and does not have access to external funding.You meet UBC’s admission requirements, including general and degree-specific requirements.You demonstrate superior academic achievement (achieve all As or equivalent standard).You meet UBC’s English Language Admission Standard; if you do not satisfy this requirement for direct entry, you may be eligible for Vantage College and the Vantage One Excellence Award.Applicants for a Winter session must have graduated from high school no earlier than June 2026.You are required to complete a financial assessment as part of the evaluation process, including reviewing documents outlining your family’s gross income, expenses, and family assets.If you apply to the International Scholars Program, you will not be considered for merit-based awards.The following degrees are not eligible for UBC International Scholars Program awards: Bachelor of Nursing degree (Okanagan and Vancouver), Bachelor of Dental Science in Dental Hygiene, Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science, Bachelor + Master of Management degree, dual degrees, joint degrees between UBC Okanagan and UBC Vancouver, and joint degrees with other post-secondary institutions.Eligibility requirements include an admissions application to UBC and completion of the admissions application before starting the award application.UBC specifies there are no exceptions to the eligibility criteria.

• Dedicated International Scholars Program advisors who provide additional support for academic, personal and career development.Participation in skill building workshops and retreats.Option to participate in exchange and co-op.Meaningful financial support to attend UBC.

1. Decide on your academic program/campus (for the awards, you will be considered for your first choice program; select a second choice program as well).
2. Discuss the nomination with your school. Your nomination requires one nominator (guidance counsellor, principal, administrator, etc.) and one teacher referee from different people.
3. Apply to UBC (your UBC admissions application is required before starting your International Scholars Program award application; the award application requests confirmation that your UBC application was submitted).
4. Discuss your nomination and create an account for the award application. Email your nominator and teacher referee so they provide recommendations. You cannot complete the award application until both the nominator and teacher referee forms have been completed and submitted.
5. Gather relevant information and complete your sections of the award application, including information for annual income and expenses, family wealth and assets, dependents and annual school fees, sources of financial support, a calculation of family contributions and financial need using the cost estimator, and extracurricular information.

• Official documents demonstrating financial need (including documents used for UBC’s financial assessment such as family gross income, expenses, and family assets).UBC admissions application submission confirmation for the award application.Four essay questions (approximately 150–250 words each) completed as part of the award application.If invited: a video interview.