The currency used in Canada is the Canadian Dollar ($) or (c$) and cents. Canadian banknotes come in $5, $10, $20, $50 and $100.

The cost of tuition fees for international students has risen over the last few year sand varies in each province. Often tuition fees for international students are referred to as ‘differential fees’. The average cost for a year’s fee can range from $5,000 to$18,00, which in most institutions is pardon registration day. The tuition covers two semesters, which equates to eight months of academic study. As well as tuition fees,you will also need to budget for living costs, rent, travel, course materials such as books, food, laundry, healthcare and social expenses. Remember to work these additional costs into your budget and try robe realistic. The Canadian immigration bodies and your chosen institution will require proof that you have sufficient funds to cover the costs of your tuition fees and living costs Often your chosen institution will provide an estimate of yearly living costs for immigration, however if this is not done, immigration will need to see proof of$10,000 in your account (on top of tuition fees) to cover living costs for the year.

University undergraduate fees for international students:

Alberta: $8,000 - $15,767

British Columbia: $9,248 - $17,667

Manitoba: $5,573 - $8,283

New Brunswick: $7,843 - $12,810

Newfoundland and Labrador: $8,780

Nova Scotia: $8,233 - $14,349

Ontario: $6,900 - $16,800

Prince Edward Island: $8,780

Quebec: $10,068 - $12,930

Saskatchewan: $8,489 - $11,482

College undergraduate fees for

international students:

Alberta: $10,000

British Columbia: $10,000

Manitoba: $8,000

New Brunswick: $5,000

Newfoundland and Labrador: $6,600

Nova Scotia: $8,000

Ontario: $11,000

Prince Edward Island: $6,000

Quebec: $8,000

Saskatchewan: $11,000

SCHOLARSHIPS

Only a limited number of Canadian Universities offer scholarships to international students and competitions fierce. To find out if your chosen institute offers scholarships, contact the international office or finance office at the institute. An international officer or finance officer will be able to advise you further. It is also recommendable to contact the Ministry of Education in your home country for advice and information on scholarship sin Canada. It is best to begin researching scholarships as soon as scholarship is an excellent website which lists available scholarships and offers search facilities to find scholarships in particular region sand institutions.

LIVING COSTS

HEALTHCARE

Healthcare requirements for international students vary in each province. All healthcare insurance must be arranged you leave for Canada, this may include registering on your chosen institutions health plan or joining private healthcare plan.

For example students in British Columbia studying for a period of over six months,will need to enrol in the Medical Services Plan, which can be paid monthly. Full access to their medical services aren’t granted for three months, for this period you will need to purchase private healthcare In Ontario it is essential to purchase the University Health Insurance Plan, costing approximately $450 anding Newfoundland and Labrador, it is compulsory for students to register for private healthcare For further details on healthcare, it is best to contact your chosen institution.

Studying away from home can be expensive so it is important to budget for your living costs as well as tuition fees.

Living costs vary depending on location and the lifestyle you adopt. Certain area sand provinces are more expensive; these tend to be larger cities and urban areas such as Montreal and Vancouver. Living costs you should include in your budget are:

• Accommodation – rent, utility bills, food, laundry

• Course Materials – textbooks, field trips

• Healthcare – health insurance

• Miscellaneous – travel, clothing, social expenses and entertainment

Struggling financially throughout your studies is not ideal and may affect your enjoyment of your time studying in Canada, so be realistic about how much you will spend and more importantly, spend wisely. Below are student organizations offering student discounts on a number of miscellaneous and entertainment goods.

ISIC (International Student Identity Card):

The ISIC card gives excellent student discount on various travel methods round the globe. Discounts include flights,buses, trains, museums and attractions,bars and restaurants and lots of shops

www.isic.org

Student Saver:

The studentsaver card offers from 10% to 30% discount off number of books, shops, food and entertainment

www.cfs-fcee.ca

ISE (International Student Exchange):

The ISE card is available to all students and under 26’s and offers excellent discounts to top visitor attractions,restaurants, shops, travel, museum sand galleries

www.isecard.com

Nearly every bank in Canada charges different fees for the same service, spit is best to spend time researching and visiting different banks to compare their services and charges. It is important to open an account soon after your arrival in Canada to transfer your funds into and to avoid carrying large amounts of cash.

Key questions to ask your bank are whether monthly service charges are included, if telephone and Internet bankings available and for details on transaction charges and interest paid. Your bank will handle all overseas transactions from sending and receiving money, travelogues and currency. You will need the following items to opens bank account in Canada if you are an international student. Please note you donor need a Social Insurance Number (SIN):

• A valid passport or birth certificate

• A secondary piece of identification, for

example a study permit or drivers license

• Money to deposit (approximately $100)

• A student card (most banks require a

student card in order for a student to be eligible for special student offers)When opening your account, ask the members of staff which account would-be best for you. If you are considering obtaining a credit card, then it is always best to talk to your bank, as quite often credit cards are not permitted for international students.

Major banks in Canada include:

• BMO (Bank of Montreal)

• CIBC (Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce)

• HSBC Canada

• ING Direct (International Netherlander Grope)

• National Bank of Canada

• RBC Royal Bank

• Scotia bank (Bank of Nova Scotia)

• TD Bank Financial Group

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