newbie looking for direction to begin the process

[allie1988]

Is there an entry-level forum for those just starting out on the process of applying for loans, universities/colleges, and study permits?

I'm massively overwhelmed and would love to find some insight as to how others are working on this process because I don't want to clutter this forum with my newbie questions...

I'm young (25) and nervous about going back to school. I've only attended a technical college here in US and I would die to spend some time in Canada and really have been wanting to go back to school for the past 5 years.

I appreciate more insight than links because I have a lot of links to go through already that I've bookmarked.

My interest is Halifax, Nova Scotia Canada. Anyone else?

 

[scylla]

This forum is it.

The first step is to apply to a program in Canada and to receive an acceptance letter from that school. If you require a loan to fund your studies, that loan will have to be obtained from a bank in the US (Canadian banks will not loan you the money). Once you have the acceptance letter and have secured funding, you can apply for a study permit to Canada. It's best to apply at least a couple of months before your program is scheduled to begin. To be approved for the study permit, one of the things you will have to demonstrate is that you have sufficient funds to pay for your studies in Canada for the first year - as well as your living and travel expenses. This means you'll need to show a bank balance of somewhere between $20K and $30K - depending on how much your tuition fees are for the first year (you'll need to show $10K for living expenses alone).

Good luck.

 

[allie1988]

Thank you.

I've only been able to save up 10,000 on my own working a dead-end retail job. It really sucks how low the federal minimum wage is!

I've looked into the program I want to do, and it looks like it's going to cost quite a bit per year. I'm estimating 32-35k a year. Yikes!

But I hear the new changes about working as a international student are nice. Don't have to wait anymore.

So you're saying I can just go ahead and apply to the school (after I get my transcripts delivered over of course)? Then loan is after? Okay. I knew I had to have proof of funds to one of them. Forgot it was for study permit. Thanks for clarifying.

 

[scylla]

You may want to start by speaking with your bank to find out if they will give you a $20K+ loan for studies in a foreign country. You need this money to be approved - so I would start by finding out if this is even possible.

The work permit changes are good - but don't expect to make a lot of money or be able to fund your studies or living expenses this way. The off campus work permit allow you to work a maximum of 20 hours a week. And the work you get will likely be minimum wage (around $10 per hour). Once taxes kick in, that will be redused further.

 

[Regina]

But I hear the new changes about working as a international student are nice. Don't have to wait anymore.

To get study permit you MUST show visa office that you ALREADY have money for the 1st year (tuition+ at least $10 000 for living expenses) + reliable source of funds in the future for the length of the program. You cannot get SP if you have funds only for a year and no obvious chances to get funds for the "second+third+fourth" years of study in the future.

 

[sunny2710]

hello everybody,

i got a question on this topic. What when the 30 weeks college program would cost me around 5000 $ and i live at my common law partner (who is my common law partner and sponsor). The college is in the same town where my common law partner lives and of course i would live with him while i obtain the course. Would CIC in that case also require from me 20K budget ?

Thanks for any answers in advance

 

[Regina]

What when the 30 weeks college program would cost me around 5000 $ and i live at my common law partner (who is my common law partner and sponsor). The college is in the same town where my common law partner lives and of course i would live with him while i obtain the course. Would CIC in that case also require from me 20K budget ?

If you could prove you are common law partners (Have been living together 12+ months, share lease, bills, assets, bank account).

 

[allie1988]

To get study permit you MUST show visa office that you ALREADY have money for the 1st year (tuition+ at least $10 000 for living expenses) + reliable source of funds in the future for the length of the program. You cannot get SP if you have funds only for a year and no obvious chances to get funds for the "second+third+fourth" years of study in the future.

Wouldn't getting more loans, Scholarships/grants (that I would get after the first year) suffice?

 

[Regina]

Wouldn't getting more loans,

From home country? Get it now.

Scholarships/grants (that I would get after the first year) suffice?

In Canada international students do not get grants and scholarships in bachelor degree programs.

 

[ishanfication]

From home country? Get it now.

In Canada international students do not get grants and scholarships in bachelor degree programs.

are there chances of scholarships for international student In 2 yr post grad program .... ???

 

[Regina]

are there chances of scholarships for international student In 2 yr post grad program .

No. Only SOME masters (usually technical) and PhD.