Section 19 International Students

International Students

Overview

In this section, International students will find relevant information on admission requirements, immigration regulations, tuition fees, scholarships and bursaries, the health insurance plan, as well as regulations on working in Canada. The International Students Office (ISO), Student and Enrolment Services, has developed support services to promote the adjustment of International students to life and study in Canada.

It is essential that International students submit their immigration documents and/or passport (see Section 19.2 Procedures and Immigration Documentation Required for the University for further details). Documents must be uploaded directly by the student via the Student Hub or, if unable to upload, can be submitted either to the International Students Office or the Birks Student Service Centre.

Immigration regulations cited in Section 19 International Students are valid at the time of this writing. For further information, students should contact the Canadian consulate/embassy in their country.

Section 19.1 Admission Requirements

Admission Requirements

International students should refer to Section 13 Admission Regulations for information about submitting an application to an undergraduate program at Concordia and the language proficiency requirements.

Section 19.2 Procedures and Immigration Documentation Required for the University

19.2.1 Procedures

Procedures

All persons, other than Canadian citizens and landed immigrants, who wish to pursue their studies in the province of Quebec, must obtain and submit certain immigration documents to the University. See the following link for details:

concordia.ca/students/international/immigration

19.2.2 Studying for Six Months or Less

Studying for Six Months or Less

Students whose program of study is six months or less in duration have the option of studying in Canada without having to apply for a CAQ or Study Permit provided they complete their studies within the authorized period of their stay in Canada.

Regulation 188(1) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations reads as follows:
A foreign national may study in Canada without a study permit:
"c) if the duration of their course or program of studies is six months or less and will be completed within the period for their stay authorized upon entry into Canada."

Most refugee claimants cannot take advantage of the exemption from the required Study Permit. For further information on the Study Permit requirements for refugees and protected persons, see the following link:
cic.gc.ca/english/resources/tools/temp/students/protected.asp

19.2.3 Immigration Documentation Required

Immigration Documentation Required

International students who will be studying in a program for six months or more are required to provide a copy of their immigration documents (usually a CAQ and Study Permit) to the University via the Student Hub when they first register at Concordia and thereafter every time they renew their immigration documents.

International students who will be studying for six months or less are required to submit copies of their passport pages showing the passport number, the dates of issuance and expiry, name and date of birth, and the stamp made by Canadian authorities on their most recent entry into Canada.

These directives are in accordance with the funding regulations of the Ministère de l’Enseignement supérieur (MES) which requires that all International students registered at a university in Quebec have in their permanent file a copy of specific immigration documents, proof of valid health insurance (see Section 19.5 International Student Health and Accident Insurance) and, for persons studying six months or less, a copy of the appropriate passport pages.

International students are required to provide the appropriate documentation before the DNE deadline of their first term at Concordia and thereafter every time they renew their immigration documents.

Failure to comply with this regulation could result in the cancellation of the student’s registration.

Section 19.3 Tuition and Other Fees for International Students

Tuition and Other Fees for International Students

The University reserves the right to modify the published scale of tuition and other student fees without prior notice.

Please refer to the Tuition and Fees website at concordia.ca/students/financial/tuition-fees for information concerning the payment of tuition and fees.

Exemptions from Differential Fees

Certain International students may be eligible to pay the same fees as Quebec residents or Canadian citizens. Students who qualify for an exemption from the differential fees for International students, pay tuition and other fees at the same rate as the Canadian, Quebec resident student (including tuition and compulsory fees for 30 credits, and the International students health insurance fee).

The following are among those exempted from paying differential fees who may pay the Quebec tuition rate:

diplomats, consular personnel, accredited representatives or civil servants of a foreign country, the United Nations or one of its organizations, an intergovernmental organization to which Canada belongs, and any member of the staff of the above‑listed persons who are working in Canada in an official capacity and who have obtained an attestation issued by “le Protocole” (Gouvernement du Québec), 525 René‑Lévesque E., Quebec City, telephone: 418‑649‑2346. This attestation is valid for one academic year and must be renewed each year the student attends university;
the spouse and unmarried children of the above‑listed persons;
an International student whose spouse or parents hold certain work categories of work permits in Quebec. For further details and verification, please contact Quebec.residency@concordia.ca.
a student who is registered at a university and who has come to Quebec as an exchange student, or as a student participating in a program of co‑operation agreed to by the Government of Quebec and which exempts the participants from paying differential fees;
a student who is admitted to a Quebec university and whose country has a fee remission agreement with the Government of Quebec. The Government of Quebec has agreements for granting a limited number of exemptions from the differential fees for International students from the following countries: Algeria, Belgium (Flanders), Benin, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Chad, China, Colombia, Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Egypt, Francophone University Agency, Gabon, Germany, Germany (Bavaria), Guinea, Haiti, Israel, Italy, Ivory Coast, Korea, Lebanon, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Morocco, Niger, Peru, Republic of Djibouti, Rwanda, Senegal, Spain (Catalonia), Togo, Tunisia, and Vietnam;
Inquiries and applications for an exemption should be made directly to the students’ own Ministry of Education prior to leaving their home country. In some cases, when the person is in Canada, it may be possible to apply for an exemption at his or her embassy or consulate in Canada or in the United States;
Graduate students who are French citizens or francophone citizens of Belgium (Wallonia);
a student who is registered at a university and whose status as a permanent resident has been officially recognized by Immigration Canada. Should a student receive permanent resident status during the academic year, he or she should immediately present the official document to the Office of the Registrar (concordia.ca/offices/registrar) to have his or her status changed and to inquire about a possible refund. For more information on refund policies and deadlines for submission of documents, please contact the Office of the Registrar. International students should present themselves at the International Students Office in the GM Building (concordia.ca/students/international) to request an exemption and possible refund from the International Student Health and Accident Insurance Plan;
under certain conditions, students who have obtained Convention refugee status may be eligible for an exemption from the differential fees for International students. Depending on the documentation submitted, they may be eligible to pay either the Quebec tuition rate or the Canadian non‑Quebec rate. For information on deadlines for submission of documentation and on the specific documents required, please contact the Office of the Registrar;
under certain conditions, International students holding certain categories of CSQ who are allowed to apply for permanent resident status from within Canada may be eligible to pay the Quebec tuition rate.

The following are exempted from paying differential fees and may pay the Canadian tuition rate:

undergraduate students who are citizens of France (accord France‑Québec) or francophone citizens of Belgium (Wallonia) and a limited number of undergraduate international students from China (entente Chine‑Québec).

Section 19.4 Scholarships, Bursaries and Loans

Undergraduate Scholarship and Bursaries

Two types of awards are available to undergraduate students through the Financial Aid and Awards Office: scholarships and bursaries.

Entrance scholarships and entrance bursaries are available to newly admitted students entering university programs for the first time. In-course scholarships and in-course bursaries are available to returning students who have completed at least one year of studies at Concordia University. Scholarships are awarded on the basis of scholastic achievement and in some cases, consideration is given to the involvement in university life or other non-academic criteria.

Bursaries are awarded based on financial need and acceptable academic standing, and sometimes additional criteria may apply. Students receiving tuition waivers from the University are not eligible to apply for entrance or in-course bursaries. For additional information on all undergraduate awards, consult the Financial Aid and Awards Office website.

U.S. Federal Student Aid

Concordia is recognized as a Title IV eligible foreign school by the U.S. Department of Education. American students studying at Concordia may be eligible for Federal Student Aid (FSA) (full time: 12 credits or more or half time: 6 credits or more) in the form of a Direct Loan from the U.S. Department of Education. For further information on eligibility requirements and how to apply to the FSA program, consult the Financial Aid and Awards Office website.

U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs

Concordia is recognized as an eligible foreign school by the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs. The Financial Aid and Awards Office helps students work with the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs in order to pursue studies at Concordia. Students should contact FAAO early so that it can guide them through the process. If they are newly admitted students, their first step is to make sure they have their Certificate of Eligibility and their program is eligible for funding.

Exemption from Higher Tuition Fees

The Government of Quebec has agreements for granting a limited number of exemptions from differential fees for International students from specific countries. Consult Section 19.3 Tuition and Other Fees for International Students for the list of countries and information.

Other Awards

Information on scholarships for International students from the Government of Canada can be found on the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development’s website: scholarships.gc.ca. Students are also encouraged to check with their home government for funding opportunities.

Emergency Loans

Funds are available at the International Students Office for short‑term emergency loans. Loans are issued to full‑time undergraduate and graduate students who need temporary emergency financial assistance. For further information on eligibility requirements and conditions, contact the coordinator, International Students Office (concordia.ca/students/international).

Section 19.5 International Student Health and Accident Insurance

International Student Health and Accident Insurance

Immigration Quebec services and the Ministère de l’Enseignement supérieur (MES) require that all International students be covered by a health insurance plan while studying and living in Quebec. To this end, Concordia University has negotiated a compulsory health and accident insurance plan for its International students.

Check the International Students Office website at concordia.ca/offices/iso for more information.

Health insurance fees are charged automatically when International students register for courses.

Coverage is from September 1 until August 31 of the following year. Students who register in January pay a pro-rated premium for the eight-month period from January 1 until August 31 of the same year.

Only certain categories of International students are permitted to opt out of the Concordia Health Insurance Plan for International Students. Please note that Concordia University does not accept any other health insurance plan that the student might be carrying or maintaining while in Canada. Students who may be exempted from the Concordia Health Insurance Plan for International Students are limited to:

1. International students from specific sponsoring organization or government

1.1. Specific sponsored students from CIDA, ICCS, CBIE, WUSC who receive an educational sponsorship that includes group health insurance and tuition fees. Students must ensure that their sponsorship letter clearly mentions the Canadian group health insurance coverage as well as the duration of the policy. Please note that private health insurance plans are not accepted.

2. Students covered by Quebec provincial medical benefits (Quebec Medicare card / Carte d’assurance maladie du Québec (RAMQ)

Please note that students who are eligible for RAMQ coverage are not covered by the Concordia Health Insurance Plan regardless of when students submit the documents to the University. Students must take action themselves to secure RAMQ coverage and provide their proof of provincial coverage at the beginning of each benefit year to the International Students Office in order to benefit from an exemption. Proof of continuous coverage must be submitted to the International Students Office each September, regardless of the expiration of coverage. Eligibility for RAMQ is determined by the Quebec Government, and may include:

2.1. Students from certain countries who share Social Security agreements with the Quebec government. Visit concordia.ca/students/international/health-insurance/exemptions for a list of current countries and details on how to apply for the Quebec Medicare card / Carte d’assurance maladie du Québec (RAMQ).

2.2. Refugee claimants and Convention refugees who can show proof of medical coverage by the Canadian or Quebec government.

2.3. International students who become permanent residents of Canada. An exemption/adjustment will be based on the date the International Students Office receives the Record of Landing document.

Proof of above‑mentioned insurance is required in order to process an exemption. It must be presented in English or French indicating the period and amount of coverage available in Canada. This information is required by the Ministère de l’Enseignement supérieur (MES) and must be in the Concordia student’s file for audits and reports. Applications for exemptions are processed in person at the International Students Office (ISO). See concordia.ca/students/international/health-insurance/exemptions for more information. Applications must be processed at the beginning of every benefit year regardless of the expiration of the coverage. Students who do not apply for an exemption by the payment deadline will be charged for the Concordia Health Insurance Plan for International Students.

Adjustments or cancellations will be based on the date the ISO receives a copy of the above-mentioned supporting documentation. Insurance plans are based on a monthly rate from the first day of the month to the last day of the month. As such, and in order for the student to obtain the fullest refund, the request for adjustments or cancellations should be made prior to the first day of the month.

Retroactive adjustments will only be considered and provided where supporting documents can prove that health insurance coverage has been maintained continuously from the beginning of the required insurance period. Where the supporting documents do not indicate health insurance coverage, the monthly fee charged will not be refunded. If a student has filed an insurance claim, the student can only receive a retroactive refund for the period (months) following the claim. Refunds are provided in the form of credit to the student’s university account.

Section 19.6 Working as a Component of Degree Requirements (including Co-op, Internships, Practicums, Experiential Learning, or Course Requirements)

Working as a Component of Degree Requirements

International students who are enrolled in internships, practicums, experiential learning, or courses that require a work component in order to complete the course or degree requirements may require a Co-op Work Permit. For further information, refer to concordia.ca/students/international/living-working/working-in-canada, or contact the International Students Office.