Other Canada and USA study costs to consider
The cost of accommodation, meals and insurance are given on our price list for international students. However, you should consider the additional costs of study in America or Canada. When you apply for a visa you need to provide evidence of your parents' or sponsors' financial ability to cover both tuition and living expenses throughout your time at university.
What the fee doesn't include
Items not included in the Universities in the USA and Canada pricelist are:
- Airfare to and from the United States or Canada
- Personal expenses (e.g. entertainment, laundry, clothing, cell phone)
- University textbooks and supplies
- Vacation travel
- Meal and housing expenses when the University is officially closed*
For students who are conditionally accepted onto a university ESL program, the fee does not include regular ESL classes if your English level when tested on arrival is inadequate for the campus-based program.
* University closing is usually limited to the Thanksgiving holiday in late November, the Christmas holiday (about four weeks in December/January) and Spring vacation (approximately 10 days in March or April).
Additional charges
We may charge you additional fees relating to specific payment services:
| Payment service | Charge |
|---|---|
| Installment payment plan | $500 |
| Payments by credit card after the due date | 2% of the total program value** |
| Late payment fee: students with balances due after thirty days | $500 |
| Administration fee: when a post-arrival study plan change is requested | $100 |
** unless you have paid for the optional payment plan.
Other expenses
The cost of living varies greatly depending on where you are in North America. It is generally more expensive to live in large cities, sometime significantly so (e.g. New York City, Vancouver and Los Angeles).
Some universities estimate the cost of typical additional expenses per academic year. These prices are intended to give you an idea of the average costs that undergraduate students experience, and will vary by student depending on lifestyle:
| Expense | Lowest cost | Highest cost | Average cost across universities |
|---|---|---|---|
| books and supplies | $600 | $1,638 | $1,060 |
| Transportation | $400 | $2,250 | $795 |
| Personal expenses | $400 | $3,263 | $1,570 |
You will be required to present financial documentation to the Canadian or US Consular Office in your country in order to obtain your student visa. You need to show that whoever is responsible for your fees has the financial ability to cover all your expenses:
- For undergraduate students, if your parent/guardian or a sponsor is paying your fees, you must have proof of funds to cover your first year of tuition/accommodation fees and other living expenses (see above for example amounts). If you are paying for your own fees, you must show funds to cover four years.
- For graduate students, you need to show funds to cover the tuition fee of your program and usually another $10,000 for living expenses.
