Guide to Studying in Canada

for Non-Resident Canadians

 Canada is home to some of the world's
top research facilities and academic
institutions. Imagine learning in a
supportive academic environment
where professors are approachable and
classrooms reflect an inclusive cultural
diversity. Imagine entering the workforce
with qualifications that are recognized
and respected worldwide. Canada
gladly welcomes back non-resident
Canadians to study in Canada!

Tuition Fees
Public K-12 schools
The general rule in Canada is that every child is entitled to
attend K-12 public school without paying tuition fees as
long as the following criteria is met:
• The student is a Canadian citizen or a permanent
resident of Canada.
• The student lives with a parent or legal guardian who
resides in the school board jurisdiction in which the
student wishes to attend school.

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Canadian citizens and permanent residents do not require
a study permit to study in Canada. However, in order
to enrol in a primary or secondary school anywhere in
Canada, these children and teenagers will require different
documents depending on their Canadian status. (See
Useful Links on page 9)
As education policy is the responsibility of provincial/
territorial governments in Canada, it is important to check
that your chosen school board follows these policies
to ensure that the student meets Canadian criteria. If a
student does not meet the criteria of the school board,
they may still be eligible to attend as an international
student.

Important factors to consider include:

• Does the parent or guardian meet the residency
requirements of the school board? Required
documentation may vary depending on the province
or territory from producing a property tax or utility
bill to proving "a regular, habitual mode of life in the
community with a sufficient degree of continuity."
• If the student will reside with a legal guardian, is the
relationship sufficiently formal in the eyes of the school
board? Some provinces require a court order to
establish guardianship.

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Private or independent K-12 schools
Tuition fees for private or independent K-12 schools are
set by the individual school and generally do not vary
depending on the student's citizenship or residency
status. Consult the individual school directly to obtain
information on their fees.

Postsecondary education
In general, Canadian citizens, regardless of residency,
qualify for Canadian rates and not international fees
when pursuing postsecondary education in Canada.
The student should ensure that they have the necessary
documentation to demonstrate citizenship. A Canadian
passport may not be deemed sufficient. Furthermore they
should consult the relevant postsecondary educational
institution directly for information about their fees.

Some provinces, such as Quebec and Nova Scotia, have

special subsidized tuition fees for their residents. See the
Useful Links section for eligibility information and consult
the relevant postsecondary educational institution directly
to determine their fees.

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Grants and Loans
Loans
Through the Canada Student Loans Program, the
Government of Canada and most provincial and territorial
governments work together to deliver federal and
provincial student loan and grant programs to eligible
full-time and part-time students. Quebec, the Northwest
Territories, and Nunavut offer their own student financial
assistance programs and do not participate in the Canada
Student Loans Program.

In general, to be eligible for student loans, the student

must:
• Be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident of
Canada.
• Be a permanent resident of a province or territory that
issues Canada Student Loans.
• Demonstrate financial need.
• Be a full-or part-time student at a designated
postsecondary institution.

Please consult the Useful Links section for the complete

criteria and contact information for the appropriate
provincial or territorial student financial assistance office

Grants
Canada Student Grants provide money for college or
university that does not need to be paid back. These
grants are available to students from most provinces and
territories except those from the Northwest Territories,
Nunavut, and Quebec. These governments have their
own programs. When a student applies for student
financial assistance, their eligibility for most Canada
Student Grants will automatically be assessed.

For more information, consult the Useful Links section

and check with the appropriate provincial or territorial
student financial assistance office.

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Taxation
Under Canada's tax system, income tax obligations to
Canada are based on residency status. An individual's
residency status is determined on a case by case basis
and the individual's whole situation and all the relevant
facts must be considered.
The relevant facts in determining residency status include:
residential ties in Canada, the purpose and permanence
of stays abroad, and ties abroad.
The most important thing to consider when determining
residency status in Canada for income tax purposes is
whether or not the individual maintains, or establishes,
residential ties with Canada.

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Significant residential ties to Canada include:
• a home in Canada (ex. An individual purchases a home
for their child to live in while studying in Canada);
• a spouse or common-law partner in Canada (ex.
An individual's spouse moves back to Canada to
accompany a child for education purposes); and
• dependants in Canada (ex. An individual's dependent
child returns to Canada to study);
The information above is general in nature. Consult
Canada Revenue Agency and a tax professional to
determine your status.

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Health Insurance
All Canadian citizens and permanent residents are
eligible for health insurance in Canada. Health insurance
is different in each province and territory. The medical
care that a province or territory offers might not be
covered in other provinces and territories. The provinces
and territories may also provide certain groups with
supplementary health benefits not usually covered such
as prescription drug coverage.

Students should apply for a health insurance card from

their provincial or territorial government as soon as
possible after arrival in Canada. Depending on which
province or territory the student decides to call home,
they may have to wait a period of time before becoming
eligible for public health insurance. During this time,
the student should apply for temporary private health
insurance coverage.

Please consult the Useful Links section for more

information on health insurance coverage and cards in
each province and territory.

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Useful Links
Documents for minor children-
Study in Canada
www.cic.gc.ca/english/study/minors-documents.asp

Tuition Fees
Public K-12 school
Alberta
Access and Funding for International Students in
Alberta FAQ
www.education.alberta.ca/media/1224561/faqs_english.pdf
British Columbia
Eligibility of Students for Operating Grant Funding
www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/education-training/administration/
legislation-policy/public-schools/eligibility-of-students-for-operating-
grant-funding
Registration information at the Vancouver District Reception
and Placement Centre (DRPC) for students who were born
outside Canada and who are eligible for a publicly funded
education
www.go.vsb.bc.ca/schools/drpc
Eligibility for a publicly funded education (Vancouver School
Board)
www.go.vsb.bc.ca/schools/drpc/Registration/Pages/ELIGIBILITY-
FOR-A-PUBLICLY-FUNDED-EDUCATION.aspx
Registration information for students who are not eligible
for a publicly funded education may apply as a fee paying
student through the Vancouver school district's International
Education program
www.intered.vsb.bc.ca/
Ontario
Clarification of Documentation Required for Tuition Fee
Exemptions and Guardianship Arrangements
www.efis.fma.csc.gov.on.ca/faab/Memos/SB2012/SB_01.pdf

Postsecondary
Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia University Student Bursary Program
www.msvu.ca/en/home/beamountstudent/money/
bursariesotherfinancialaid/nsuniversitystudentbursaryprogram.aspx
Quebec
Attestation of Québec Resident Status
www.afe.gouv.qc.ca/en/all-forms/detail/residence-in-quebec/

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Grants and Loans
Canada Student Loans - Overview
www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/services/
student-financial-aid/student-loan/student-loans/overview.html
Canada – Provincial and Territorial Student Financial Assistance
Offices
www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/services/
student-financial-aid/provincial-offices.html

Taxation
Canada Revenue Agency – Determining your residency status
www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/tax/international-
non-residents/information-been-moved/determining-your-
residency-status.html
Canada Revenue Agency - Students
www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/tax/individuals/
segments/students.html

Health Insurance
Canada Health Act - Links to Provincial and Territorial Health
Care Web Resources
www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/health-care-
system/canada-health-care-system-medicare/provincial-
territorial-health-care-resources.html

Disclaimer: This document is intended as a guide

only and does not represent a definitive reference
document. Please always ensure that you have
conferred with the relevant educational institution
and appropriate professional advisors directly.

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