Some universities in Canada allow applicants to proceed to the next stages of their admission without paying an application fee. University of Alberta, The University of British Columbia and Redeemer University are examples of such schools.
In this article, you’ll learn more about the conditions set forth for applying without paying the fee.
Why Do Universities in Canada Charge Application Fees?
Reasons include ascertaining the seriousness of the would-be students, and serves as part of the regular admission processes.
For students who are bothered about the many expenses to make when admitted; it is a source of concern as to why the universities would want to charge for a “simple application.”
Here are some reasons why this is in place:
Offsetting Administrative Costs
Canadian universities typically welcome hundreds to thousands of applications per session from high school and graduate students from within and outside the country.
Due to the voluminous number of applications involved, administrative costs add up quickly. Third parties, such as professionals in the field are hired to sort through the applications.
Reducing Number of Applicants
Universities also charge these fees to help encourage applicants to send out only a small number of good applications.
Third and most importantly, due to the limits placed on intakes per program, some universities wouldn’t be able to grant all applicants an approval to study. Hence, introducing an application fee is a way to tell these applicants to only apply for the programs they are suitably qualified for.
Do All Universities Charge Application Fees?
In reality, not all the universities in Canada demand an application fee when applying. While some don’t charge at all, others do but would give a waiver for certain reasons.
Read: Universities In Canada Without IELTS 2024
List of Universities in Canada without Application Fees
Let’s now introduce you to some of the colleges where to apply for study in Canada without paying an application fee.
1. Redeemer University
This is a Christian University in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. Just like the religion it professes, it seeks to make education readily available for students.
Applicants will pay every other fee, including tuition except application fee.
However, once admitted, you’ll be required to pay a non-refundable program application fee of $100. This is exclusive to the Co-operative Education Program.
2. The University of British Columbia
Located in Vancouver, BC, Canada, The University of British Columbia is one institution that considers applicants, in terms of the fees paid during application.
It offers application fee waivers only on these conditions:
- International students will have it waived if their correspondence address or country of origin is located in one of the 50 least developed countries, as per the declaration by the United Nations.
- Seniors are also considered. In this case, applicants who are up to the age of 65 at the time of applying and who reside in the British Columbia and double as Permanent Residents or Canadian citizens will be exempted.
If you don’t fall into of those categories, rest assured that the university will demand an application fee. The charge varies from countries or citizenship at the time the application was sent in:
- International students will pay up to $168.25.
- Permanent Residents, Canadians, Diplomats, and Refugees pay up to $114.
All payments are charged at the time of application and have these conditions:
- Application and payments must be made through the online platform.
- Canadian citizens and Permanent Residents may be asked to provide proof of citizenship or residency.
- Credit card payments are allowed only via MasterCard or Visa.
- Individuals looking to pay through debit cards or Interac must do so only if they have banking accounts with either First Nations Bank of Canada or TD Canada Trust.
- Application fees are valid for one application year and cannot be deferred.
3. Mount Allison University
Located in New Brunswick, Canada, Mount Allison University offers applicants the opportunity to enroll for programs without paying an application fee.
This gesture is however, limited to the following categories:
- Indigenous Students of applicants from Canada.
- First-generation Students, i.e., the first students in their families to attend a university.
- Students with disabilities are also exempted from paying the fee.
If you don’t fall into any of those categories, the university expects you to pay a fee of $50 CAD, which must be submitted through your MtA application account.
4. Booth University College
You’ll want to apply to Booth University College to get a waiver of the application fee. This private, Christian university college is located in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.
Getting a waiver is possible only if the applicants meet certain conditions:
- Applicants from Canada and the United States are not required to pay the fee.
- International students from Ukraine are eligible too.
Considerations for International Ukraine Students
Booth University College considers international applicants from Ukraine and offers them a waiver.
To be qualified, these conditions must be met:
- The applicants must be from Ukraine.
- These applicants must have arrived in Canada in the last 12 months.
In addition to waiving the fee, they would also be entitled to pay the domestic tuition fees instead of international tuition fees; would not be asked to pay the $500 admissions deposit and would receive specialized counselling.
Thus, would be students who are not from Canada, the United States or Ukraine are required to pay the sum of $150 international application fee.
5. Northeastern University
This university offers applicants the chance to start their admission process without paying a fee for the application.
It offers a need-based waiver; allowing for the $75 application fee to be set aside on these conditions:
- Applicants are using the Common Application or;
- Applications are sent to the university via the Coalition Application.
- The university also waives the fee for applications sent through specific organizations, such as the College Board and ACT.
- Applications sent in a written request from a school official are also considered.
Read: Cheap Universities in Canada without IELTS and Application Fee
How to Apply to Universities in Canada without Application Fees
Follow these steps to make your application:
Find out a Suitable Program and University
Your journey to study abroad in Canada from Nigeria demands a lot of research, especially if you’re looking to save on costs.
Start by researching the best program and course that matches your current qualifications. Next, look out for the universities that offer such — and whether they offer a waiver for application fee.
Get the Paperwork Ready
In this article, we’ve shown you some of the universities in Canada that don’t ask for application fees. Now, prepare your paperwork, such as:
- Statement of Purpose (SOP)
- Academic transcripts
- Letter of Recommendation (LOR)
- Language proficiency scores, such as IELTS and TOEFL.
Fill out the Application
Armed with the documents and other necessities, start your online application for admission into any of the Canadian universities without application fees.
While at it, be sure of the following:
- The necessary documents are submitted.
- Your academic and personal details are duly filled.
- Be sure to meet the universities’ eligibility criteria, including the program-specific requirements.
Prepare to Get Your Visa
Start preparing your Canadian visa application as soon as the other processes are completed. It is best to start in time, as some universities give a range of 3 to 5 months for applicants to complete their admission process and prepare to come over.
Eligibility for Application Fee Waiver in Canadian Universities
Not all applications are accepted without the fee. If yours must be waived, then certain conditions must have been met.
Country of Origin/Residence
The location matters a lot. For example, some schools would waive the fee for indigenous students, i.e., students from either Canada or the United States.
For some universities, considerations are given to countries that fall under these categories:
- Underdeveloped or least developed countries.
- Countries or nations torn apart from war, such as Ukraine.
Applicant-Specific Considerations
It is also possible for the applicants to be primarily considered and have their application fees waived.
Instances are:
- People with disabilities.
- Applicants from a not-so-financially-buoyant background.
- First generation applicants or the first person to attend a university from a family.
Academic Performance
Some Canadian universities may also waive the application fee if the applicants have had a prior education and performed remarkably, as judged by their grades.
- The completion of high school.
- Obtaining a Bachelor’s degree or;
- Being a former student or alumni of select colleges in Canada.
Benefits of Applying to Application-Free Universities in Canada
Some of the reasons why you should seek out and apply for admission to these universities include:
Explore Your Options
It is common knowledge that most universities demand an application fee just to “weed out” many applicants and get a few sorted out.
With the waiver or non requirement of the fee, you’re now free to apply for admission to as many of these universities as possible.
This gives you the option to evaluate multiple options and settle for the institution that offers better chances of maximizing your career goals.
Save More Money
You can now save money instead of spending hundreds of Canadian dollars in application fees. Since most of these universities offer a waiver or don’t charge the fee at all, you’re now confident of not losing your money in the process due to the nonrefundable policy.
Simplified Application Process
Since these fees are waived or not asked for, the administrative costs will also be lowered. With this comes less bureaucracy and faster attention to the applicants, leading to a quickened application process.
Conclusion
Now that you’re aware that some universities don’t charge application fees in Canada, do well to check their individual requirements and be sure you’re suitably qualified before applying.
To further reduce costs, look out for scholarship opportunities so you worry less about finances when applying to study abroad in Canada.