5 ways international students can study in Canada for free

If you’re interested in studying in Canada but don’t want to pay hefty tuition fees, there are several ways you can do it for free or at a reduced cost. Here are five ways to make it happen:

1. Apply for scholarships from universities in Canada

• Many Canadian universities offer fully-funded scholarships to international students based on academic performance, achievements, and creativity.
• Some notable scholarships to keep an eye out for include:
  • Lester B. Pearson International Scholarships, University of Toronto: 37 recipients receive full coverage on tuition, books, incidental fees, and residence for the entire duration of their four-year undergraduate programme.
  • University of British Columbia scholarships: The Karen McKellin International Leader of Tomorrow Award and the Donald A. Wehrung International Student Award are awarded based on merit and provide financial aid to students from impoverished or war-torn areas.
  • York University Scholarships: The International Entrance Scholarship of Distinction grants CAD$35,000 annually for up to four years based on academic scores and performance.

2. Apply for scholarships from your government

• Some governments, including Canada’s, offer scholarships to students with good academic track records who are interested in studying abroad.
• Scholarships to look out for include:
  • Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships: A fully funded scholarship open to all international PhD students, recipients receive up to CAD$50,000 annually for three years based on academic track record, research potential, and leadership abilities.
  • Canada-ASEAN Scholarships and Educational Exchanges for Development (SEED): Provides ASEAN students with the opportunity for a short-term exchange for study or research in a Canadian post-secondary institution.

3. Universities with application fee waivers

• While there are no tuition-free universities in Canada, some universities offer application fee waivers to international students.
• Some examples of universities in Canada with no application fees are:
  • University of British Columbia: The university removes its application fees for eligible international students, especially those from the world’s 50 least-developed countries.
  • University of New Brunswick: Offers an application fee waiver for Canadian high school students or international students already enrolled in a Canadian high school.

4. Working while studying

• Working part-time while studying is a great way to reduce financial burden.
• International students can work up to 20 hours per week during their semester and full-time during breaks and holidays.
• Three part-time jobs in demand for international students are:
  • Tutor: Can tutor any subject based on skills and knowledge, offers more flexible hours, and pays an average of US$15 per hour.
  • Dog walker: Pays an average of US$20 per hour and is easy to find a job in this field as there are many dog-walking businesses in Canada.

5. Virtual programmes

• While virtual programs require tuition fees, they can save significant amounts of money.
• Online learning saves time and money as there is no need to relocate or commute to university.
• Pursuing a course virtually is also less expensive as students can save on textbooks and other resources by accessing them online.

In conclusion, studying in Canada for free or at a reduced cost is possible with the right scholarships, part-time jobs, and virtual programs.