FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

The first step is to get admission to a Canadian Designated Learning Institution (DLI) recognized by the government of Canada. Once an individual receives a letter of acceptance from a DLI, he or she may be able to apply for a study permit. Applications may be made online or by mail.

All new study permits are issued at a Canadian port of entry. An applicant who has submitted an application to a foreign Canadian Visa Office will be issued a letter of approval advising him or her to travel to a Canadian port of entry  to have the study permit issued. A study permit is generally issued for the duration of the person’s studies.

Canada study permit applicants need to prove they have sufficient funds to cover tuition fees, and financial capacity to support living expenses.

As a student, you can opt for on-campus residence facility or look for an off-campus accommodation. Living as a resident on-campus is not a very affordable option, however you need to apply for it separately, and well ahead in time to secure a slot for yourself.

If you are unable to find such accommodation or wish to stay alone, you can get a space for yourself on rent in shared apartments. Orion-Polaris will help find an accommodation that works out the best for you.

Scholarships may be available to international students from private, government or public institutions in Canada. There may be scholarships available to international students from the study institution of choice.

Scholarships for international students are purely merit based and amount awarded varies with each institutions. Generally scholarship amount covers tuition waiver fee and living expenses during study period.

There are several kinds of government and private scholarships available for international students to study in Canada. But the most common merit based scholarships for international students are:

1). Open entrance scholarship program

2).Tuition Waiver

3).Assistantship

4). Teaching Assistantship

Students can work on campus in any department with budgeted funds and an offer of employment confirmation letter. This letter can be used to obtain a Social Insurance Number (SIN) from Human Resource Canada (HRDC). Every person employed in Canada must have a valid SIN number to get paid.

The Canadian government has recently introduced an off-campus working program for Canadian international students. This program allows you to work off campus for 20 hours per week during studyl term and up to 40 hours per week during your summer break term. To be eligible, students must have good grades and have been in school for at least six of the last 12 months. This means that you will not be able to work off campus for the first six months.

A college is a smaller institution that typically offers undergraduate degrees. Some colleges, such as community colleges and junior colleges, may offer only two-year degrees. Most colleges offer bachelor’s degrees, and some colleges also have associate degrees.

A university is an institution that offers undergraduate and graduate degrees. Universities offer graduate programs leading to a master’s degree or a Ph.D. Generally, universities have a more diverse offering of classes and programs than a college because of the larger number of enrolled students.

The TOEFL/IELTS and PTE are designed to test your English proficiency. Hence when applying to study in an English-speaking country like the US, UK or Canada, you will be required to submit a TOEFL or IELTS or PTE score as proof that you will understand the language. These scores are also required during your visa application process.

All India Senior School Certificate (awarded by CBSE), Indian School Certificate (awarded by CISCE) or Intermediate/Pre-University/Higher Secondary/Senior Secondary School Certificate (State Boards). On an average 70% -75% or higher is required by various Universities.

All International students who have paid full tuition fees and are taking a full time course are automatically covered by the most comprehensive health care plan from the first day of the class.

You will need to Plan ahead. The admission process can be vey lengthy, especially for all the competitive programs. You would need at least six to nine months for the process.

Take the TOEFL/IELTS/PTE tests before you begin the admission process as this is the proof of English language proficiency.

You will need to demonstrate competency in English and Mathematics for most of the programs; depending on your field of study.

It’s always an added advantage to provide evidence of leadership skills, community involvement and strong work ethics.

If you are in the middle or about to complete at 3 yrs Bachelors degree and wish to take a transfer to a undergrad program in Canada, we can help you do it. The process of transferring credits can be a long one and you may not know which credits. However, if your credits are accepted, you can save both time and money, we have many success on transfer credits.

It is basically a Proof of funds. You are basically giving them an evidence of purchase of a special Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) from a participating Canadian financial institution (Scotia Bank), in the amount of $10,280 CAD that you need to cover your living expenses for the first year in Canada.

Master’s program and Ph.D programs are very limited and are subject to strict admission guidelines, academic excellence and other requirements. This varies between institutions. Usually for master’s programs a minimum of 70% or higher marks are required in your undergraduate degree and application procedures must be started 8-12 months ahead of time.

Most institutions will want you to pay the first term fee to start the program. You usually get reminders ahead of time for your next payment due. Please remember that Canadian Government may ask you to provide solid proof of your financial background and support that is needed to complete the full duration of the studies. Your study permit may be refused if you are unable to provide reasonable proof.

Students with 10+2+3 system is accepted for post graduate (PG) diploma programs however, for masters, almost all universities require 10+2+4. However, certain universities may accept 10+2+3 for masters in selected programs on a case-to-case basis.

While further study does delay the start of significant income earning, postgraduate degree holders will generally start at a higher level and progress faster in their careers. The net result is significantly higher lifetime income.

The advantages of a graduate degree can vary greatly depending on your industry. The most common careers that require a master’s degree include those in business, education, health care, and STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math).

There are two main types of Masters Degrees: – course-based and thesis or research based. Course-based Masters Degrees are based on course modules taught through lectures, lab work, seminars or distance learning, while thesis-based Masters Degrees requires student to carry out their own research project in a specialized field of study. Thesis Masters Degrees normally take longer than course based Masters Degrees to complete.

If you are under 18, you need to submit a custodian letter in your visa application along with the rest of your documents.

Orion-Polaris team has unparalleled expertise for over 1 years in counseling for Canadian universities and deep knowledge about Canada. We participate in various education workshops and also visit the university campus in Canada.

Our ultimate goal is to match all the students with great academic programs in Canada that fit their needs and potential. We are committed to provide all the information easily available, accessible, and actionable.

Orion-Polaris has been offering the services 100% online for more than 12 years. The effectiveness of email and phone calls has never required a request for an in-person meeting.

We do not charge for any of our for any of our students.

We do not charge for visa counseling services for our students. We do not guarantee visas. But based on our experience and advice, we have had no refusal or rejection of visa in the during the last 15 years.

Please contact us and let us know about the programs you are interested and also share your academic details. We will have a free consultation over the telephone or with your visit to office to answer all your questions.