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Introduction
Canada is a great place to study because not only is it home to some of the cheapest colleges in Canada for international students but there are also a variety of scholarships you can apply for!
International students have a range of college choices when it comes to studying in Canada. Along with the many prestigious and expensive universities, there are also a number of colleges that offer lower tuition rates and scholarships for international students. This makes Canada an affordable option for students from all over the world.
In this article, you will learn about the different types of financial aid available to international students, as well as the cost of living expenses in Canada. You will also find out about some of the cheapest colleges in Canada for international students!
Scholarships for international students in Canada
Financial aid and scholarships for international students in Canada generally include: bursaries, awards and grants. Bursary is money that does not need to be repaid; it can be either a loan or a gift. An award is an amount of money given by an individual, community group or another organization that is given to a student as an honor or to recognize outstanding achievement. A grant is any type of money that does not need to be repaid and can come from federal, provincial, territorial or municipal governments as well as private sources such as businesses and individuals. Awards and grants often require students to write essays about their educational goals and accomplishments in order for them to be considered.
Different types of financial aid available to international students in Canada
Financial aid for international students in Canada is available through many different types of scholarships, bursaries and grants offered by federal, provincial and territorial governments as well as private sources.
These awards are given to students based on their academic achievements or financial need. Bursary money can either be a loan or gift (money that does not need to be repaid), and awards can range from money given as an honor, achievement or simply because the student excels in their studies. Grants are any type of financial aid that does not need to be paid back. Often times, these scholarships and bursaries will request essays about the student’s educational goals and accomplishments before they will consider them for a scholarship.
Some of the main scholarships, bursaries and grants available to international students include:
1. Canadian Commonwealth Scholarship Program
The Canadian Commonwealth Scholarship Program is a scholarship program that is open to students from all Commonwealth countries. This scholarship offers awards of up to $50,000 CAD per year to students who are interested in studying at a Canadian university. The deadline for this scholarship is usually in early January, so be sure to apply as early as possible!
2. Ontario Council of University Libraries Bursary Awards
The Ontario Council of University Libraries Bursary Awards are open to students who are studying in an Ontario library school. These scholarships offer awards of up to $4,000 CAD per year. The deadline for this scholarship is usually in mid-March, so be sure to apply soon!
3. Ontario Trillium Scholarships and Bursaries Program
The Ontario Trillium Scholarships and Bursaries program is offered through the Government of Ontario. This scholarship offers an award of up to $4,000 CAD per year to students who are studying in Canada. The deadline for this scholarship is usually in late January, so be sure to apply as early as possible!
4. Queen Elizabeth II Graduate Scholarships Program
The Queen Elizabeth II Graduate Scholarships program is awarded to students who are studying at a Canadian university. These scholarships offer awards of up to $15,000 CAD per year for Master’s students and $10,000 CAD per year for Doctoral students. The deadline for this scholarship varies depending on the province and ranges from November to February.
5. Community Foundations of Canada Banting Postgraduate Scholarship
The Community Foundations of Canada Banting Postgraduate Scholarship is awarded to students who are studying at a Canadian university for a Master’s or Doctoral degree. This scholarship offers awards of up to $20,000 CAD per year and the deadline varies depending on the province.
13 Cheapest Colleges in Canada for International Students
Below is a ranking list of the cheapest colleges in Canada for international students, as ranked by CollegeFactual.com:
- Thompson Rivers University- Open Learning
- Concordia International College of Arts and Science
- Kwantlen Polytechnic University
- Camosun College
- University Canada West
- Columbia College of New Zealand
- The Art Institute of Vancouver- British Columbia
- Capilano University
- Vancouver Film School (VFS) – Vancouver, BC Campus
- The Banff Centre – Fee-based Programs in Alberta
- Dawson College & Career Preparation (Kawartha Lakes Campus)
- Brandon University
- Capilano College
1. Thompson Rivers University- Open Learning
Thompson Rivers University- Open Learning is one of the cheapest colleges in Canada for international students. This university offers open learning, which means that students can take their courses online, in-person or a combination of both. This university also has campuses in British Columbia and Ontario.
2. Concordia International College of Arts and Science
Concordia International College of Arts and Science is another one of the cheapest colleges in Canada for international students. This college offers arts and science programs that are designed for students who want to study abroad.
3. Kwantlen Polytechnic University
Kwantlen Polytechnic University is a university located in British Columbia that offers undergraduate and graduate degrees. This university has been voted as one of BC’s best employers.
4. Camosun College
Camosun College is a college that offers courses in areas such as business, nursing and technology. This college also has campuses located all around the Greater Vancouver area.
5. University Canada West
University Canada West is a popular university for students who want to study abroad because it has about 35 different degree programs available. The tuition fee for this university is on the cheaper side so it won’t put too much of a strain on your wallet!
6. Columbia College of New Zealand
Columbia College of New Zealand is a popular college for students who want to study abroad. This college offers courses in film production, digital media arts, fashion design and many more courses that are related to the arts.
7. The Art Institute of Vancouver- British Columbia
The Art Institute of Vancouver- British Columbia is a popular choice for students who want to study abroad. This college has campuses located in BC and Ontario, allowing students from across Canada to attend this school.
8. Capilano University
Capilano University is a university that’s been around since 1968 and offers degree programs, graduate certificates and even postgraduate diplomas. The tuition fee for this university is on the lower side so it won’t put too much of a strain on your wallet!
9. Vancouver Film School (VFS) – Vancouver, BC Campus
The Vancouver Film School (VFS) – Vancouver, BC Campus is located in downtown Vancouver so students from across Canada and around the world can easily attend this school. The tuition fee for this college is on the cheaper side so it won’t put too much of a strain on your wallet!
10. The Banff Centre – Fee-based Programs in Alberta
The Banff Centre – Fee-based Programs in Alberta is located in gorgeous Banff, AB and offers fee-based programs. Students can choose from a variety of courses that are related to the arts and leisure.
11. Dawson College & Career Preparation (Kawartha Lakes Campus)
Dawson College & Career Preparation is a college that offers courses in various areas, including business, health care and technology.
12. Brandon University
Brandon University is a university located in Manitoba that offers courses such as accounting, business administration and economics. The tuition fee for this university is on the cheaper side so it won’t put too much of a strain on your wallet!
13. Capilano College
Capilano College is a college that focuses on industry-based training and education to help students get hands-on experience in various areas such as business, health care and technology.
Conclusion
Choosing a college can be a difficult decision, especially if you’re looking for an affordable option. The colleges we’ve listed are some of the cheapest in Canada for international students and offer a variety of degree programs and courses. Keep in mind that you can also get scholarships for college, so don’t let the cost scare you away! Make sure to do your research and find the school that’s right for you.