Scholarship Program in candian University

The Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan

The Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan enables Commonwealth students of high intellectual promise to pursue studies in Commonwealth countries. Awards comprise of travel, a living allowance, and all compulsory tuition fees.

Shastri Indo-Canadian Institute

Shastri Indo-Canadian Institute offers a number of fellowships at various levels from graduate to post-doctorate and from research and training fellowships to lectureships.

Ontario Graduate Scholarship Programme

Ontario Graduate Scholarship Programme scholarships are available to graduate students in a wide variety of disciplines. Students must have been accepted to a Ontario university, and obtained a valid student authorization. Social Science and Humanities Research Council is Canada's funding agency for university based research and graduate training in social sciences and humanities which embrace a wide range of disciplines and fields of knowledge.

NSERC

National Science and Engineering Research Council is a national instrument for making strategic investments in Canada's capability in science and technology. NSERC supports both basic university research through research grants and project research via partnerships of universities and industry.

National Research Council of Canada

National Research Council of Canada Research Associateships are offered to masters degree holders in engineering, and Ph.D. holders in natural science or engineering disciplines.

Quebec Provincial Government Scholarships

Quebec Provincial Government Scholarships are available to those studying in Quebec.Teaching/ Research Assistantships are assessed in the general application.Financial assistance is frequently available to students studying at the masters level and above, the amount of funding is likely to increase with the level of study. Full funding, tuition and expenses, is more common at higher levels of studies, however, each application is assessed individually on the basis of merit.

University Funding


Graduate Courses

Students at the graduate level may qualify for teaching and research assistantships based on their academic abilities. Applications for this type of assistance are made through the university's financial aid office.

Types of Assistance

Merit based assistance is awarded in many forms, from tuition waivers, various types of assistantships, to fellowships. The most common are listed here :

1.Tuition Waiver : This means that the student does not have to pay the tuition fees at the university. However, general fees (for the use of university facilities like the library, computers, and sports and health services) usually have to be borne by the student. A tuition waiver is frequently awarded in conjunction with a scholarship or teaching/research assistantship.


2.Scholarship / Fellowship : This is usually an outright grant based on the student’s academic ability and performance. Hence, Only a truly outstanding student may be considered for this type of award, before enrolling at the university. A full scholarship would pay for a student’s entire living expenses at that university, whereas a partial scholarship would require additional funds from the student.


3.Assistantship : Most students who receive assistance do so in the form of an assistantship, i.e. is usually a cash stipend, sufficient for their living expenses, and/or tuition waiver, in return for which they have to work for a maximum of 20 hours per week which normally consists of teaching and research activities. These are usually for graduate courses. Teaching assistantships are more likely to be in universities, which have large undergraduate classes whereas research assistantships tend to be more common in those fields and universities in which considerable research is going on. Information brochures of most universities give this information. Often, teaching and research abilities must be proved before assistantship is granted. Hence, many universities grant this only after the first semester. You may also be required to take TSE (Test of Spoken English) to qualify for a teaching assistantship.

Who Should Apply?
Students will have a greater chance of getting financial aid if they :

1.Show evidence of a high level of academic achievement


2.Achieve high Standardized Examination scores (GRE, GMAT, TOEFL etc.)


3.Demonstrate financial need but have private funding to cover some of the cost. Financial need is not crucial for some awards.


4.Enroll in a field or have teaching experience in a subject offered at the undergraduate level (to increase opportunities for a teaching assistantship)


5.Specialize in a field or have a research interest which parallels that of the department and faculty or private funding source (which increases opportunities for research assistantships and grants)


6.Have outstanding letter of recommendation and an impressive statement of purpose.


7.Send a sample of professional writing, published or otherwise.

THE IMPORTANCE OF NETWORKING IN FINANCIAL AID

Many graduate departments at universities offer teaching assistantships or research assistantships to their graduate students (students pursuing a master's or doctoral degree particularly in engineering). Assistantships usually involve a tuition award and some sort of salary in return for teaching or research duties. Every school has a limited number of openings for assistantships based on the amount of funding allocated. As a result, such scholarships are merit-based, meaning they are competitive, based on your academic performance to date.

Individual departments at the university generally control funds. It always helps to write directly to the department to inquire about available funding. Students who are research oriented or have published papers in a particular field should contact professors interested in that field. By contacting professors in advance and building a relationship, you can greatly enhance your chance of getting aid.

Unfortunately, there are many deserving students who do not get aid along with the admission. If you are one of them and plan on joining anyway, we strongly recommend you arrive a few days prior to the registration time. This will give you an opportunity to personally talk with the professors and sell your skills. Professors usually have funding available for various projects and you may be able to find something that matches your skill set. We also strongly recommend that you don’t restrict yourself to your particular department. There are several opportunities in other departments particularly for students with strong computer skills. You have to be aggressive and persistent in your approach. Although there is no guarantee that you will get financial aid, it is well worth the try. Always remember, if you don’t ask, you don’t get.

Employment opportunities for international students

Employment opportunities for international students are limited. You should not plan on earning substantial money from a part-time job to help pay for your studies.

On campus : Though international students are allowed to work on the campus of any publicly-funded, degree granting institution, these jobs are often difficult to obtain and do not provide sufficient funds to sustain education costs.

Practical Training : In addition, there may be opportunities for practical training which entail a period of authorized employment, designed to allow foreign students to have professional work experience related to their field of study. For further details, contact the foreign student adviser at the university, after you are enrolled.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Accommodation


Each institute has its own policy for housing and may offer a range of options for single and married students. Most common types of accommodations are:

School-Provided Homestays: A homestay usually consists of a Canadian family hosting a student in their home while the student attends classes in Canada. This includes meals as well as a private, furnished room. (Cost: CDN $ 400 - $ 800 per month)

School-Provided Residence/Dormitory: Many schools have accommodation conveniently located on or near their campuses. There is usually an option of either shared or private room and dormitories.
(Cost: CDN $ 3000 - $ 7500 per year)

Off Campus Housing: Usually many students share or rent apartments to save costs. Listings of available apartments or homes are published weekly in local newspapers. Rents vary greatly according to the location and time of year. (Cost: CDN $ 250 - $ 700 per month)


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Health Insurance


This is another very important criteria for financial planning. Most Canadian Institutes require that all students including international students be covered by an insurance policy that will protect them against medical, hospital bills if they get sick or are injured while studying at the college, as health care is very expensive. Some provinces like Alberta, British Columbia and Saskatchewan cover international students under their provincial health care plans. Students studying in other provinces must arrange for private medical coverage through private insurance companies, which approximately costs about CDN $ 35 per month.

Cost of education and living in canada

Studying in Canada is not free, but it is affordable. The average cost for a foreign student for one school year (8 months) in an undergraduate program is C$11,903.


Canada offers the lowest tuition rates* for foreign students compared to the U.K., Australia, New Zealand and the US. Rates at U.S. public universities were almost 1/3 higher than fees for Bachelor’s degrees in Canada, while U.S. private university fees were more than double.


Here are some typical costs for living in Canada:
• Bus Fare One Way (local) $2.00 - $3.00
• Average Restaurant Meal $10.00 - $25.00 per person
• Movie $8.50 - $12.00
• Letter within Canada $0.52
• International Postage (letter) $1.55

Taxes
Some provinces apply a provincial tax levy to goods and services. All provinces must apply the federal Goods & Services Tax (GST) of 6 percent to most purchases. As a visitor, a portion of the GST may be refunded to you upon your departure from Canada. There are restrictions that apply and you must provide original receipts. Contact Revenue Canada or your school for further information. GST refund forms can be obtained at the information counters at airports and at most shopping malls.

Currency and Banking

Money and Measurements
Canada uses the metric system of measurement. The unit of currency is the Canadian dollar, which equals 100 cents. The most common paper currency in Canada comes in $5, $10, $20, $50 and $100 denominations. Coins appear in 1 cent (pennies), 5 cents (nickels), 10 cents (dimes), 25 cents (quarters), $1 (loonies) and $2 (twoonies) denominations. The $1 and $2 coins have been introduced over the last 10 years, and there are still Canadian $1 and $2 bills in circulation that are considered legal tender (they have also become collector's items). Canadian bills are clearly marked and each denomination has a distinctive colour.

Banks & Currency Exchange
Although banks often offer the best currency exchange rate, some do charge a small fee to change money or traveller's cheques, and prices listed often do not include taxes. It is best to change a small amount of currency into Canadian money before coming to Canada, as banks are usually open only Monday to Friday, daytime hours (9 a.m. to 5 p.m.). Other means of exchanging your currency can be somewhat more costly. Exchange services offered by hotels, shops, and exchange booths almost always offer the highest rates or charge large commission fees. Wherever you go, always ask about hidden charges before changing money.

All shops and businesses will accept Canadian currency, and some will accept United States currency in tourist areas. All other currency must be converted.


Banks and Automated Teller Machines (ATMs)
Students can easily access the many banks and affiliated ATMs in Canada. They are especially easy to find in large cities, and are more convenient than credit cards and traveller's cheques. You can usually use a regular bank card or a major credit card at ATMs to withdraw cash. It might also be possible to open a local account which would come with an ATM card. ATM cards can also be used at many stores in Canada to pay for items such as groceries and clothing.

Banks offer a variety of services to their customers including currency exchange, safety deposit boxes for storage of passports, and savings accounts. Many Canadians use personal cheques issued by banks as an efficient means to pay for services.

Traveller's Cheques and Credit Cards
Traveller's cheques are a recommended form of currency when travelling (for safety reasons) and can be purchased at major Canadian banks. They are easily replaced if stolen or lost. Most shops, hotels, restaurants and attractions accept traveller's cheques as well as major credit cards.

The rate of exchange in effect on the day of a credit card transaction will be automatically updated on your credit card bill. Students can also apply for credit cards when they arrive in Canada; however, the expenses are due at the end of every month with interest charged on unpaid expenses.

Student Visa information

International students interested in studying in Canada should ensure that they are familiar with the rules and processes involved in coming to Canada to study. The best and most accurate source for information is the Canadian federal government. The federal government runs Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) which links immigration services with citizenship registration and is responsible for and admitting immigrant, foreign students, visitors and temporary workers.

The department of the federal government formerly known as International Trade Canada has been split into two separate departments. The department now responsible for Culture, Education and Youth is Foreign Affairs Canada (FAC).

Overview
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/study/index.asp

Who Needs a Study Permit?
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/study/study-who.asp

Information for Foreign Students
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/study/study-arriving.asp

Work Opportunities for Foreign Students
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/study/work.asp

Application to Study in Canada Study Permits
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/study/study-how.asp

Visa Offices
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/offices/index.asp

Countries and Territories Whose Citizens Require Visas in Order to Enter Canada as Visitors
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/visas.asp

Information for Institutions and Organizations
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/study/institutions/index.asp

Temporary resident visa: For persons from designated countries who wish to visit Canada for a temporary purpose. Find out more here: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/inadmissibility.asp#trp.

Visa: A visa is permission issued by a country for you to enter that country.

Permanent Resident (Landed Immigrant): A person who has been granted the right to live in Canada permanently by immigration authorities, but who has not acquired Canadian citizenship. Entitled to all the rights of a citizen except the right to vote.

Citizen: A member of a nation, either by birth or through naturalization.

Getting Your Visa to Study in Canada

Depending on your country of origin and the type and length of study, you may require:
• A temporary resident visa
• A study permit
• For Quebec-bound students, a CAQ (Quebec Application Certificate)

The type of documentation required depends on your country of origin, the program you are taking, and the length of your study:
• Any study program of up to six months: no study permit is required
• Programs longer than six months require a study permit

If you will be studying in a program of six months or less, but think you may continue your studies in another program after this short-term program is completed, you should apply for a study permit before you come to Canada. If you do not have a valid study permit and wish to continue your studies, you will have to leave Canada in order to apply for one.

NOTE: A temporary resident visa may be required depending on your country of origin. Please see the list of countries that require a temporary resident visa as provided by Citizenship and Immigration Canada.
More information on the process of applying for a study permit is available on Citizenship and Immigration Canada's web site.

Necessary documentation for student visas canada:

It is critical that students submit all necessary documentation along with their applications of study permit to Canada. Missing documentation will cause delay the approval process of canadian student visa.

The documents listed below are generally needed bearing your application, local requirements may also apply for study permit in Canada

1. Pick up student authorization forms

You may obtain study permit forms in your country of origin at the Canadian Embassy, High Commission or Canadian Education Centre. Applications and documentation must then be submitted to the nearest visa office. A person may apply for a study permit at a Canadian port of entry only if that person is a national of the United States; a permanent resident of the United States; a resident of St. Pierre and Miquelon; or a dependent of a person who is in Canada on an employment or study permit.


The application for a study permit is also available online at:
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/study/apply-how.html

2. Gather the necessary documents
It is crucial that students submit ALL documentation requested with their applications. Missing documentation will delay the authorization process.

Although the documents listed below are normally needed to support your application, local requirements may also apply. Visit the Web site of the visa office responsible for your region to check that you have all documents you need before submitting your application.

I. Proof of identity. This includes photocopies of a valid passport or travel document or identity document that guarantees re-entry to the country that issued it; and two recent passport-size photos (2" x 2.5") for each family member, with the full name and date of birth recorded on the back of each photo. Visa officers may also wish to see the actual passport or travel document and will inform you if this is the case.

II. Proof of financial support that shows you will have enough money during your stay in Canada to cover tuition fees, return transportation and $10,000 CDN per annum for living expenses (additional funds may be required if there are other family members accompanying you). Documentation for this requirement could be proof of a Canadian bank account or a bank draft in convertible currency, bank statements for the past four to six months, or proof of payment of tuition and residence fees. (As a guideline, $10,000 CDN plus to tuition fees per academic year is generally viewed as sufficient.) |

III. A medical examination in your country of origin. Medical exams are required if your stay is longer than six months and you come from a country with high health risks or will be studying or working in a place where protection of public health is essential. Please note that medical processing will add several weeks to the time necessary to obtain a study permit. In some cases, you may need a medical examination even though your course is less than six months in duration. In these instances, a visa officer will determine whether you will require a medical examination and will send you the appropriate medical forms and instructions.

IV. Proof of acceptance by an approved educational institution. The following information must be included in letters of acceptance: name, date of birth, mailing address of student; the course for which the student has been accepted; the estimated duration or date of completion of the course; the date on which the course begins; the last date on which the student must register for the course; the academic year which the student will be entering; whether the course is full or part-time; the tuition fee; any conditions related to acceptance; clear identification of the educational institution; and licensing information for private institutions. This letter must be signed by an authorized representative of the institution.

V. If you are a minor (typically less than 18 years but this can vary from province to province), proof of custodianship in Canada is required. You must provide a notarized declaration signed by your parent or legal guardian in the country of origin AND a notarized declaration signed by the custodian in Canada stating that adequate arrangements have been made for the custodian in Canada to act in place of a parent in times of emergency, such as when medical attention or intervention is required. For younger children, a broader declaration may be required. Broad declarations must state that the custodian is not only responsible in times of emergency but also for day-to-day care and supervision.

3. Visit the Visa Office
Once you have completed the application forms and have gathered the necessary documentation, proceed to the visa office nearest to you and submit the forms and required information along with a study permit fee. When reviewing your study permit application, a visa officer must be satisfied that you meet the requirements of the Canadian Immigration Act and Regulations and that you will only be in Canada temporarily. Once the visa officer is satisfied that you are a "bona fide" student and all statutory requirements are met, you will be issued a document which must be shown to an immigration officer at the port of entry in Canada in order to obtain a study permit . As your study permit will normally be valid for the duration of your course, please ensure that your travel document (passport) is also valid for that same period of time.