International Students' Guide To Paying For University In Canada

how do international students pay for university in canada

International students can finance their university education in Canada through scholarships, student loans, part-time jobs, and personal savings. The Government of Canada, its provinces, territories, and educational institutions offer scholarships and funding for international students. Additionally, universities in Canada offer scholarships, some of which are guaranteed based on academic merit. Student loans are also available for international students, with specialist education loan providers offering loans without a cosigner. Part-time work is another option for funding, as student visas allow for on-campus employment. Finally, international students are expected to be able to finance their studies themselves, so personal savings are an important factor. The costs of studying in Canada include tuition, housing, transportation, meals, health insurance, and other expenses, with living costs averaging $15,000 per year.

Characteristics Values
Tuition Fees $36,100 per year for international undergraduate students
$21,100 per year for international graduate students
Living Costs $15,000 per year
Scholarships Available from the Canadian government, provinces, territories, and educational institutions
Includes automatic entrance scholarships, admission-based scholarships, and bursaries
Student Loans Offered by specialist education loan providers, with or without a cosigner
Student Lines of Credit Allow for repeated borrowing up to a preset limit for tuition fees, living expenses, and books
Part-time Jobs Permitted with a student visa for on-campus positions
Student Discounts Available for transportation, restaurants, and other services

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Scholarships and grants

One such scholarship is the Study in Canada Scholarships program, which provides short-term exchange opportunities for students from select countries/territories in Asia, Europe, the Middle East and North Africa, and Sub-Saharan Africa. This scholarship is facilitated by Global Affairs Canada, which provides funding to Canadian institutions, who then disburse the funds to successful students.

Another scholarship, the Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship, is open to both Canadian and international PhD students studying at Canadian universities. It is worth $50,000 per year for three years. The Quebec government also offers scholarships and grants through its research funds: FRQNT (nature et technologies), FRQS (santé), and FRQSC (société et culture). These are available for doctoral studies, postdoctoral fellowships, and short-term research or professional development.

The Emerging Leaders in the Americas Program (ELAP) scholarships are specifically for students from post-secondary institutions in Latin America and the Caribbean. This scholarship provides short-term exchange opportunities for study or research in Canadian post-secondary institutions at the college, undergraduate, and graduate levels.

Additionally, the Canada-ASEAN Scholarships and Educational Exchanges for Development (SEED) program offers short-term exchange opportunities for students from member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

There are also scholarships available for specific universities in Canada. For instance, the University of British Columbia (UBC) offers the Outstanding International Student (OIS) Award, a one-time, merit-based entrance scholarship worth $10,000–$25,000 for the 2025/2026 academic year. UBC also offers the International Major Entrance Scholarships (IMES) to exceptional international students entering undergraduate programs.

To explore scholarship opportunities, students should first research scholarships and funding options in their home country. They should also contact the financial aid office of their desired Canadian university to inquire about scholarships for international students and any relevant application guidelines.

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Student loans

The Canada Student Loan Program is a federal option through the Canadian government for international students who need a repayable loan. These loans are primarily available to Canadian citizens, however, some international students with protected status, such as refugees, are eligible. To check your eligibility for a Canadian federal student loan, you can visit the Government of Canada website.

Private student loans are offered by various lenders, including banks and third-party student loan companies. When applying for a private student loan, it is important to research the different lenders and their requirements, rules, interest rates, and repayment terms. Some lenders may require a cosigner, while others, such as MPOWER Financing, offer loans without a cosigner. The application process for private student loans is generally simple and can be completed online.

In addition to student loans, international students in Canada may also consider other funding options such as scholarships, grants, and part-time jobs. Scholarships and grants are highly sought-after and do not need to be paid back, while part-time jobs can provide a steady source of income to fund studies and manage expenses.

Overall, student loans can be a helpful financial tool for international students in Canada, but it is important to carefully consider the terms and conditions of any loan agreement before making a decision.

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Part-time work

International students can fund their studies in Canada through part-time work. The student visa allows international students to take up different on-campus part-time jobs. There are many part-time jobs in Canada to help students with their finances.

The cost of studying in Canada can be expensive, with tuition fees for international students reaching up to 100,000 CAD per year. The average cost of tuition for international undergraduate students is 36,100 CAD per year, and 21,100 CAD per year for graduate students. Living costs for students in Canada are around 15,000 CAD per year, including accommodation, transportation, groceries, meals, health insurance, mobile phone, entertainment, and other expenses.

Part-time jobs can help international students cover these costs. Students can rent and share an apartment, which costs around 300-700 CAD per month, or live in a studio/one-room apartment for over 1,000 CAD per month. Food bills are approximately 300 CAD per month when shopping at local supermarkets and groceries. Transportation costs include a monthly transport pass for 90 CAD, or a one-way ticket for 3 CAD. Taxis are also available, with fares between 2 and 6 CAD per kilometre.

International students can work part-time while studying to cover these expenses. It is important to note that the income from part-time work may not be sufficient to cover all costs, and students may need to explore other options such as scholarships, loans, or financial aid programmes.

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Living costs

The living costs for international students in Canada vary depending on factors such as location, lifestyle, and accommodation.

Accommodation

The cost of accommodation in Canada varies depending on the location and facilities. Renting an apartment in Canada typically ranges from 300 to 700 CAD per month for a shared apartment, while a studio or one-bedroom apartment can cost over 1,000 CAD per month. On-campus housing is also an option, with costs typically included in the student housing fee, which covers utilities such as electricity, water, and internet.

Food

The cost of food in Canada depends on individual dietary needs and preferences. On average, students can expect to spend around 300 CAD per month on groceries from local supermarkets. Eating out at a restaurant will cost around 10 to 25 CAD, while a three-course meal for two at a mid-range restaurant will cost around 50 to 65 CAD.

Transportation

Canada offers a range of transportation options, including public transit, biking, taxis, and ridesharing services. Public transit systems are available in many cities and are generally affordable and trusted, with monthly passes ranging from 70 to 120 CAD. Biking is also a popular and economical option, with the cost of a bicycle ranging from 200 to 500 CAD. Taxis are readily available but can be expensive, with fares ranging from 2 to 6 CAD per kilometre. Ridesharing services like Uber and Lyft are widely available and provide an alternative transportation option.

Other Expenses

Other expenses to consider include utilities, such as electricity, water, and heating, which can cost around 150 CAD per month. Internet and phone services will also incur additional costs. Entertainment, clothing, and health expenditures are other important considerations in the overall cost of living.

Proof of Financial Support

It is important to note that international students applying for a study permit in Canada must provide proof of financial support. As of 2024, the financial requirement for applicants outside of Quebec has increased to just over 20,000 CAD per year to reflect the cost of living. This amount is separate from tuition fees and must be sufficient to cover living expenses for the student and any accompanying family members.

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Student permits

International students must obtain a Canadian study permit, equivalent to a student visa, to study in Canada. The process of obtaining a study permit typically involves the following steps:

Eligibility Criteria:

To be eligible for a Canadian study permit, you must:

  • Have been accepted by a designated learning institution (DLI) in Canada. This could be a university, college, or other approved educational institution.
  • Prove your identity and nationality.

Frequently asked questions

On average, university tuition costs $36,100 per year for international undergraduate students and $21,100 per year for international graduate students. Living costs are around $15,000 per year.

There are plenty of scholarships available for international students in Canada, offered by both the government and universities. Some scholarships are guaranteed based on academic merit, while others require an application.

International students pursuing courses at approved universities in Canada are eligible to apply for private student loans from specialist education loan providers. These usually require a cosigner.

You can take on part-time work with your student visa, which grants permission to work on-campus. You can also apply for a student line of credit, which lets you borrow money up to a pre-set limit.

Aside from tuition and housing, you should consider transportation, groceries, meals, health insurance, mobile phone plans, and entertainment.

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