Having the hope and assurance that you will experience an academic pursuit is a wonderful thing that will happen to any student. Education seems not to be as expensive as it is in the eyes of some people, but only those who are oblivious to its essence would opt for ignorance. Perhaps getting the opportunity to study in a country like Canada is a burning desire for most international students. The colleges in this country provide quality education and the knack for knowledge in the minds of every international student.
The application to study in one of Canada’s biggest colleges might be the first step to be taken, coupled with making necessary preparations, bidding farewell to loved ones, and also receiving the best of wishes in the pursuit of academic excellence. The sad reality of this journey is that only international students who have the means of schooling in Canada will have the upper hand. Therefore their education gets funded by close relatives, scholarships, or even assistance from a financial sponsor.
On the other hand, those who have no access to any of these privileges would have the thought of no options and study in their country albeit the unfavorable educational atmospheres like observing long holidays, embarking on strikes by the academic unions, and also a less convenient learning atmosphere. Invariably, international students would subsequently emigrate to Canada for these reasons and also try to obtain a permanent resident permit afterward. The main is to live life comfortably and have a brighter future whereby academic qualifications and merits would serve as a backbone for success in professionalism.
For every potential international student aspiring to study in Canada one day or the other, you can get your education fully funded even as a master’s student or whether you’re just starting as a rookie undergraduate. Being among most of the developed countries in the world, Canada has created lots of policies and an avenue for indigent international students to ensure that their education gets funded.
What are the Ways to Get Your Education Funded in Canada?
The step-by-step guide below will save you the stress and burden of getting your education funded if you are going to study in Canada. Sorting out your tuition fees as an international student in Canada can be achieved through various ways and they include programs introduced by the government. Canada also offers scholarships to international students and if you’re lucky, you could be among others moving to begin a new academic life in the Great White North. Keep your eye glued to the screen to learn about the ways to get your education funded as an international student in Canada.
- Research Your Program
Every journey has a destination. This presupposes that you should be familiar with the Canadian college you would want to enroll yourself. Council of Ministers of Education, Canada states that the country has over 223 public and private universities, with an additional 213 public colleges and institutions. This implies that centers of learning are more than enough for you to take your time and research the one that suits your preferences and expectations based on your program. It is also important to ascertain if your preferred choice of institution offers the best form of knowledge out of your choice of study.
Additionally, the likes of costs like tuition fees, and the cost of living in the city have to be put into consideration. You don’t want to go for an institution that has a costly fee or settle in a city or town where the cost of living is relatively high. Opting for an expensive college will lower the chances of getting your education funded in Canada. Every international student should understand how this system works. A cheap place to stay with bills you can afford will go a long way in helping you save money especially if you work after school hours.
- Apply for Admission
This is the second process to follow after finding the potential institution that will create a good study atmosphere for you. Log on to the college’s official portal and apply for admission thereby completing the admission process. Before finalizing your application process, make sure to check the specific admission requirements meant for international students. Note that every university or college in Canada has a different procedure of application for admission, as well as the requirements to be demanded, as it is better to consider those whose credentials and personal details are capable of meeting the criteria. Remember that Canada welcomed over 800,000 international students in 2022, and among them were those with scholarships and others who got their education funded by the Canadian government.
- Apply for Scholarships and Grants
Why do international students want to study in Canada with the hope of the possibility that they will kick start their professional career in the same country? This is because the Canadian government offers scholarships and grants that favor international students and they see this as an excellent source of educational funding. If you want to be part of the benefit, be on the lookout for both government-funded and institution-specific scholarships.
You can also stop by and look for some of the well-known scholarships for international students in Canada: Who knows? You could hit the jackpot within the slightest instance! Therefore, you should place your best bet on the Canadian Government Scholarships, Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships, and various provincial scholarships. Every scholarship and grant has requirements that must be met before international students can get approved.
- Check Your Home Country
Canada restricts scholarships and educational funding to certain countries around the world so you must check if you are eligible to apply for one, based on the availability of your home country on the list. If the table turns round, you can always find other opportunities that work perfectly for you and your choice of study as an international student.
- Explore Government Assistance Programs
The Study Permit and the Post-Graduation Work Permit Program (PGWPP) work well for international students in Canada which has paved the way to get their education funded by offering financial aid programs. Interestingly, with the PGWPP, you have the eligibility to become part of Canada’s workforce for up to three years after schooling. In turn, you get to start a new life, pay your bills, and repay any loan that you might have taken. Then if you feel that obtaining a permanent residency in Canada afterwards is the best choice, you should follow the stated procedures in doing so.
- Consider Part-Time Work
Don’t subject yourself to endless studying without doing something to help yourself financially. Think about the moment when your sponsors won’t be able to cover your tuition fees again, and when you won’t be able to afford your costs due to increment other factors attached to it. Alternatively, looking for part-time work solves your problem.
International students in Canada are allowed to work part-time and get paid up to 20 hours per week. As a result, you get to set your standards and priorities since the money is coming in, and also able to save up to get your tuition funded for the upcoming academic session. Above all, you stand to gain valuable work experience.
- Taking Student Loans
As the easiest way to foot your bills and tuition fees study in Canada, it may not be as easy as it seems since there are various procedures attached to finally get approved. Every international student willing to obtain a student loan should know how it is being done as well as the implications if they fail to meet up with the repayment.
However, there are several ways international students willing to get their education funded could apply, and get their loans approved and also know how to meet certain criteria.
- Look For External Funding Sources
The Canadian government and their respective institutions are not the only body that grants educational funding to international students. To your greatest surprise, there are also some organizations, foundations established by private individuals, and even non-profit groups that may offer educational funding and scholarships to international students.
Most students think that this is uncertain but when you conduct your research on the activities of these organizations, it is up to you to apply to these opportunities to get yourself enrolled in one of Canada’s best colleges for free. During the process of securing your academic-financial needs, the executives of the organization willing to aid your journey would metamorphose into a financial sponsor for your education.
- Maintain a Good Academic Standing
Above all, international students should have good semester results that showcase the strength of their GPA as well as their academic performance level. This may serve as a major requirement for some scholarship and financial aid programs in Canada, so it is important to meet these requirements to get your education funded as an international student.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can fund my studies in Canada?
Financial support for studying in Canada can come from federal and provincial governments. They offer scholarships, loans, and grants based on factors like financial need, specialized skills, unique circumstances, academic achievements, and more.
Can international students get funding in Canada?
Yes, international students can seek financial assistance in Canada. Private student loans are available although their options are somewhat limited compared to domestic students. To be eligible, students must be enrolled at a university participating in a student loan program supported by a private lender.
Do I need proof of funds to study in Canada?
When applying for a study permit in Canada, you are required to provide specific documents, including proof of acceptance, proof of identity, and proof of financial support.
How much money do you need to be an international student in Canada?
The expenses associated with being an international student in Canada vary depending on the educational institution, program, and level of study. On average, international students can anticipate annual tuition costs ranging from CAD 15,000 to $30,000 for undergraduate programs and CAD 10,000 to $25,000 for graduate programs.
Which account is best for international students in Canada?
CIBC offers a student account that doesn’t charge a monthly fee and provides unlimited free monthly debit card transactions. It’s one of the most economical banking choices for international students in Canada. CIBC also offers various benefits and resources for international students, including a $60 bonus for signing up.
How much can a student earn in Canada per month?
In Canada, the average annual salary for students is $45,826, or approximately $23.50 per hour. Entry-level positions typically start at $33,858 per year, while experienced individuals can earn up to $97,211 per year.
Can I study in Canada without money?
If you’re curious about whether Canada offers free university education, it’s important to understand that there are no universities in Canada that offer completely tuition-free education. However, you can obtain a full-tuition scholarship or a fully-funded scholarship, which essentially covers all your tuition expenses and achieves a similar result to being tuition-free.
Conclusion
Have you taken all the above guides to heart with the hope of fully implementing them? If you are sure of this, we must remind you that the process of getting your education funded as an international student can be very competitive owing to thousands of applicants waiting to get approved. As stated earlier, you should consider yourself lucky if you eventually get chosen among the worthy ones.
Above all, be persistent in your efforts towards seeking to get your education funded and to apply as many opportunities available as possible to boost your chances of getting a scholarship as an international student in Canada as well as staying informed about any changes in immigration and education policies that may be considered favorable.
