Can You Study in Canada for Free?
I like things that are free. When I want to merge documents, I type into Google search, “merge pdf for free”. Fortunately, there are lots of free online programs for me to use. But when it comes to studying abroad in Canada, can you do it for free? As much as it would be nice to do if for free, the answer is no. You cannot study in Canada for free unless you get the prestigious L B Pearson Scholarship for the University of Toronto. Only select international students get this major scholarship, but there are places to study, if not for free, for an affordable amount.
How Can I Study in Canada on a Low Budget?
If you have a limited yearly budget for your study abroad goal, there are ways to bring the costs down closer to your budget. So where to you look and what do you look for?
Forget about Rank! - High ranked universities come with a price-tag, a big one and that is okay because they have a lot to offer an international student. But unless you are out to impress friends and relatives back home as to where you are studying, if you don’t have the money there are plenty of good universities and colleges in Canada at a more affordable tuition cost.
Check out the Scholarships! – No matter what the cost of tuition is, you want to take notice of their scholarships and what your net cost will be. For example, if tuition is $60,000 CAD per year and the maximum merit scholarship is $20,000 CAD, then you will still have to pay $40,000 from your own pocket. But if the university’s tuition is $30,000 CAD and they up to $20,000 in scholarships available, then you can afford the tuition and cost of living within your budget.
Find Universities & Colleges for Low Tuition
Low Cost Universities - Canada has many universities with tuition fees less than $25,000 CAD. Trent University in Ontario is one of them and they have some great scholarships for international students. If a business degree is your dream, then you will want to check out St Frances Xavier University which offers a BBA scholarship at $80,000 CAD. And get this, their tuition is around $21,000. Now that sounds like a great deal to me! Tuition is almost free with a scholarship like that. Other universities with tuition fees under $25,000 CAD are Memorial, Thompson Rivers, University of New Brunswick, and the University of Northern British Columbia. All great little universities to give your life in Canada a good start. Oh, and let’s not forget the University of Alberta, one of the world’s top-ranking universities and 5th in Canada – their tuition is around $30,000 and up depending on program. So, if rank is important, then the University of Alberta might be the perfect fit.
Don’t Under-rate Canadian Colleges – Colleges in Canada have a good reputation so don’t overlook them. They offer university transfers, 4-year degrees, 2-year associate degrees and diplomas. They can be a pathway to getting a bachelor’s degree at a major Canadian university. For example, you can do a 2-year associate degree at ½ the price of university at Douglas, Columbia, Seneca, or North Island College. With a 2-year degree you can continue to university immediately as an international student, or you can work for 3 years, get your PR and then go to university and pay national tuition rates. It all depends on your budget. What does it allow you to do?
Work While you Study – While you are there to study, there is still time to work part-time. The Canadian government allows international students to work 20 hours per week while they study and then full time while they are on holidays. And 90% of the universities and colleges offer paid Co-op Work Experience terms or Internship terms. So, while looking at different colleges and universities make sure to check out if they offer work terms. Doing a work term is a winning situation and reduces your costs considerably.
Look for Universities and Colleges in Smaller Cities – while we all know where Toronto and Vancouver are, they are also two of Canada’s most expensive cities. Have you thought about studying in Prince George or Kamloops, BC, Corner Brook, NFLD or Antigonish Nova Scotia? The cost of living is cheaper than a big city and they also have some great universities or colleges worth checking out. And no, living is a smaller city will not hurt your eligibility for Permanent Residency.
There are many ways to find out about universities and colleges in Canada that are affordable. One way is to contact us. Our counsellors are Canadians and know their country well. Realising your dream to study abroad in Canada can be affordable if not free.
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