Starting in the fall of 2018, most international PhD students at the University of Toronto will pay tuition fees equivalent to those of domestic students. “This is very positive news for the University,” said Joshua Barker, dean of the School of Graduate Studies (SGS) and vice-provost of graduate research and education. “We strive to remove any barriers, financial or otherwise, that graduate students might face as they look to attend our university.” The new fee structure will benefit current and prospective international PhD students and help U of T compete on the global stage for leading scholars. The new structure will include students in all years of a PhD program, but will exclude students in doctoral stream master’s programs. International tuition fees for some doctoral programs (Doctor of Juridical Science, Doctor of Education, Doctor of Musical Arts) will be determined in consultation with the relevant divisions through the annual budget planning process. In the 2017-2018 academic year, 1,179 of the total 6,145 PhD students were international students. The fee reduction lends further support to U of T’s advocacy position for additional provincial funding of international PhD enrolment. In order for the University to claim an international student for funding eligibility, the student must be charged domestic tuition fee rates.  The University currently receives operating funding for 38 international PhD spaces, all of whom are Connaught Scholars and already pay domestic tuition fees. An across-the-board reduction of tuition fees will greatly simplify the administration process for graduate students and departments. The financial impact of the new tuition structure will be partially offset by the University’s graduate funding commitment, since the University currently covers the cost of tuition and fees for many international students in eligible PhD programs. The University of Toronto competes for the best graduate students from around the world. The presence of international students at the University has a positive impact for everyone, Barker said. “Our international doctoral students have a tremendously positive impact at U of T,” said Barker. “They bring new perspectives to research and are instrumental in building an international network that benefits our graduates beyond their time at the university. Our PhD graduates are employed in 97 countries around the world.” 

Topics : Language School Guidelines | Languages Canada | Professional Development
  Portfolio-Based Learning Assessment is a teaching model grounded in best practices for language instruction for adults. Designed to enhance the standards of ESL training across the province, PBLA is a teacher-led assessment that is not only an alternative to standardized testing but also a tool which teachers and learners can use together to "document, review, analyze, and reflect on learning." (PBLA Practice Guidelines 2).   The PBLA model of teaching provides structure and autonomy to instructors while also getting learners more actively involved in the design and assessment of their own learning.   Using PBLA, instruction is based around the use of a learning portfolio, which contains three main sections: About Me Skill-Using and Assessment Tasks Other   The About Me section of the portfolio contains a series of diagnostic and reflective assessments that guide learning while also raising students' self-awareness on how they learn best. The first required component of this section is the student's initial CLB level assessment. The next part of this section is the Needs Assessmentwhich identifies topics and social situations that are relevant to the learner. This information can help the instructor design tasks that are applicable and engaging for the learners. The Goal Settingportion of the About Me section is where the learners indicate specific goals which they can achieve during the reporting period. Although goals can be challenging to set, they serve as a valuable point of reference for learner and teacher to measure progress. The final, and arguably the most important subsection of the About Me section, is the Learning Reflections where learners consider what helped them learn best during the instructional cycle.   The Skill-Using and Assessment Task section of the portfolio contains skill-using and assessment tasks for each of the four language skills areas (Listening, Speaking, Reading, and Writing). Assessment tasksare assignments used to evaluate learners’ skills. They require an assessment tool, such as rubric, developed and marked by the teacher. It is good to keep in mind that a score of 70% is considered satisfactory performance and achievement of the benchmark level. Skill-Using tasksare activities that help build learners’ skills so that learners can be successful on the assessment tasks.   The Other section of learning portfolio may contain artefacts that also show learners’ growth and progression towards their goal. Examples of artefacts could be an attempt at a driver’s test, an account of the learner going to the store to refund an item, or an email to a business inquiring about a service. Although there is no mark attached to these artefacts, the instructor can refer to them when assigning a final grade to learners in a course.   It may seem difficult to implement, but the benefits of PBLA have proven to greatly outweigh initial challenges of developing portfolio-based programming. Continue reading in this series to learn more about it along with tips and examples on how to implement it in your classroom.   For more information on PBLA, please refer to the PBLA Practice Guidelines found here. Amad Aslam - June 18th, 2019.

Topics : Immigration to Canada | Language School Guidelines | Languages Canada | Professional Development
An Introduction to Portfolio-Based Learning Assessment (PBLA):    A Closer Look at Needs Assessment, Goal-Setting, and Learning Reflections   Needs assessments, goal-setting, and learning reflections are key components in the successful implementation of portfolio-based learning assessment. Making up the bulk of the About Me section of the Learning Portfolio, these three activities are vital because they will inform program planning and help develop learners’ metacognitive, or reflective, skills.   Needs assessments take place before the learner enters the program and periodically throughout the learner’s length of study. Depending on the learner’s level of English, it can be done through an oral interview, in a written form, or with the assistance of an interpreter. The needs assessment can be focused on one of the following areas or a combination of the following:   Skills-based This type of assessment focuses on the skills a learner needs or wants to improve, may it be listening, reading, writing, or speaking skills.   Themes-/topics-based This type of assessment looks at the interests of the learner. If the learners enjoy music, current events, technology, and sports, these topics can be incorporated into lessons to engage the class and make it more relevant to those attending.   Tasks-based This type of assessment focuses on what types of tasks the learners want to know how to do. The learner may want to learn how to interact with people in a grocery store, complete a government form, or understand a news program. Tasks can be grouped under larger categories, such as community services, government services, health and safety, school, recreation, or travel. Teaching these tasks may require supporting vocabulary and multiple or overlapping skills.   General-, or profile-, based This type of assessment aims to create a profile or establish the backgrounds of the learners in the class. This assessment can include finding out what kinds of formal education the learner has; learning preferences, such as whether the learner prefers working alone, with a partner, or in a group; and the types of supports or barriers the learner has.   Goal-setting also takes place before the learner enters the program. The learner can set short-term and/or long-term goals, identifying specific steps that need to be taken to achieve those goals and determining a timeline for when those steps can be accomplished. The goals established with the learner should be periodically reviewed throughout the length of study to ensure the program is on the right track in assisting the learner. Achieving goals can also be a source of encouragement and motivation for ESL learners.

Topics : Immigration to Canada | International Students | Study in Canada
How to insure a faster study permit through the Student Direct Stream (SDS) from Pakistan. Learn about the process, requirements, eligibilty and whether you can bring your spouse along.           Student Direct Stream (SDS): About the process Depending on where you live, you may be able to get your study permit faster through the Student Direct Stream. Your Student Direct Stream applications is procssed within 20 calendar days. However, some applications may take longer than this. To get this faster processing, you must: give your biometrics as soon as possible meet all the eligibility requirements Who can apply to the Student Direct Stream? To be eligible for faster processing through the Student Direct Stream, you must: be a legal resident living in: Pakistan have an acceptance letter from a post-secondary designated learning institution prove that you’ve paid the tuition fees for your first year of study live outside of Canada when you apply have a Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) of CAN$10,000 have a Certificat d’acceptation du Québec (CAQ) from the Ministère de l’Immigration, de la Diversité et de l’Inclusion This is only if you’re planning to study in Quebec get a medical exam before you apply (if you need one) get a police certificate before you apply (if you need one) have your most recent secondary or post-secondary school transcript(s) have a language test result that shows: a score of 6.0 or higher in each skill (reading, writing, speaking and listening) on the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) or a Test d’évaluation de français (TEF) score that is equal to a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) score of at least 7 in each skill (reading, writing, speaking and listening) Depending on where you’re applying from, you may also need to provide other documents. Make sure you include all the documents required by the visa office that processes your application. Additional documents may be required by the Government of Canada to support your application. In this situation, your application will take longer to process. What is a Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) and why is it required for Student Direct Stream (SDS)? A GIC is a Canadian investment that has a guaranteed rate of return for a fixed period of time. Many banks offer GICs. The bank that gives you the GIC must: confirm that you bought a GIC by giving you 1 of the following: a letter of attestation a GIC certificate an Investment Directions Confirmation or an Investment Balance Confirmation hold the GIC in an investment account or a student account that you can’t access until you arrive in Canada make you confirm your identity before they release any funds to you release the funds to you by providing: an initial lump sum once you identify yourself upon arrival in Canada the remainder of the funds in monthly or bi-monthly installments over 10 to 12 months If your bank or GIC doesn’t meet these criteria, you won’t be able to apply through the Student Direct Stream. Banks that offer GICs from Pakistan and meet the Criteria: Habib Canadian Bank Who needs a medical exam for Student Direct Stream? You may need to get a medical exam if: you lived or travelled in certain countries or territories for 6 or more months in the year before you come to Canada, or you plan on studying or working in: the health field primary or secondary education, or child or elder care To get a medical exam, you must see a doctor that has been approved by IRCC. Who needs a police certificate for Student Direct Stream? Your visa office instructions will tell you if you need to get a police certificate. You’ll find these instructions when you select your country of residence below. Make sure you read these instructions before you apply, so you know if you need a police certificate or any other documents to apply. Find out more about police certificates. Can you bring your spouse, partner or child with you to Canada under the Student Direct Stream from Pakistan? Your spouse, common-law partner and dependent children may also be able to get faster processing on a: visitor visa work permit study permit You must complete and submit their applications at the same time as your own. If you don’t, your application will not be processed. When you apply online, select that you have family members coming with you to Canada. This will let you complete their applications with yours. Apply through the Student Direct Stream You must apply online to get faster processing on your study permit. There's no paper application for the Student Direct Stream. Make sure you include all the documents required with your application. Before you apply online, make sure you have: the instruction guide to fill out your forms a scanner or camera to create electronic copies of your documents, and a valid credit or debit card to pay with How do I apply to SDS [ Student Direct Stream] Pakistan? You may begin here to get the process started!  Contact us   |   Send us an email  

Topics : High School Credit Courses | International Students | Study in Canada
What Do You Need to Graduate from a Canadian High School with an Ontario Secondary School Diploma?   This article also contains a PDF version of the Ontario High School Requirements  (PDF, 234 KB).       Students must earn the following compulsory credits to obtain the Ontario Secondary School Diploma. 4 credits in English (1 credit per grade) The Ontario Secondary School Literacy Course (OSSLC) may be used to meet either the Grade 11 or the Grade 12 English compulsory credit requirement. The Grade 11 Contemporary Aboriginal Voices course may be used to meet the Grade 11 English compulsory credit requirement. For English language learners the requirement may be met through earning a maximum of 3 credits in English as a second language (ESL) or English literacy development (ELD); the fourth credit must be a Grade 12 compulsory English course. 3 credits in mathematics (at least 1 credit in Grade 11 or 12) 2 credits in science 1 credit in Canadian history 1 credit in Canadian geography 1 credit in the arts  The Grade 9 Expressing Aboriginal Cultures course may be used to meet the compulsory credit requirement in the arts.  1 credit in health and physical education 1 credit in French as a second language  Students who have taken Native languages in place of French as a second language in elementary school may use a Level 1 or 2 Native language course to meet the compulsory credit requirement for French as a second language.  0.5 credit in career studies 0.5 credit in civics Plus one credit from each of the following groups: Group 1:  English (including the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Course), French as a second language, classical languages, international languages, Native languages, Canadian and world studies, Native studies, social sciences and humanities, guidance and career education, cooperative education Group 2:  French as a second language, the arts, business studies, health and physical education, cooperative education Group 3:  French as a second language, science (Grade 11 or 12), computer studies, technological education, cooperative education Note: The following conditions apply to selections from the above three groups: A maximum of 2 credits in French as a second language my count as additional compulsory credits, 1 credit from Group 1, and 1 credit from either Group 2 or Group 3. A maximum of 2 credits in cooperative education may count as additional compulsory credits, selected from any of Groups 1, 2, or 3. In addition to the compulsory credits, students must complete: 12 optional credits 40 hours of community involvement activities the provincial secondary school literacy requirement Are you a mature student? Have your documents reviewed by our high school specialists to determine what you need to meet Ontario Secondary School Diploma requirements. For more information, contact us. Are you an International Student? Have your transcript ready to be reviewed by our admission specialist? Contact us to have us solve your problem. Contact us   |   Send us an email Are you a Local Student, short of a few high school credits? We can help you enroll in to part time courses at one of our Ministry Inspected Private High School and complete your 110 hours before the admission date. Get in touch with us, we are partnered with over 500 Private High School as well as Public School Boards (Toronto, York, Durham & Peel)  Contact us   |   Send us an email | Whatsapp us for Help!   People Also Searched For: High School Credits | High School Credit Courses | Ontario Secondary School Diploma Program | MCV4U | ENG4U | SPH4U | MDM4U | Online High School Credit Courses  

Topics : IELTS Writing Tips | Study in Canada
Essentials of IELTS Exam Preparation   If you are reading this article, then most probably you are planning to appear for the IELTS exam. The major objective of taking the IELTS exam is to achieve a good band score. However, believe it or not, only 68% of the test-takers fail to score a band 7 or more. In this article, we will look at some techniques that will ensure you attain the highest possible score in the IELTS exam.   Sadly, there are many fraudulent websites that claim to provide authentic study material and practice papers to students. Due to this, students waste a significant amount of time trying to identify the materials that will actually help them score well. Moreover, the confusion makes it even more difficult to know which preparation method is trustworthy.   Hence, students must stop wasting time looking for shortcuts on the internet to score well in the exam. There is no alternative to hardwork and the best way to start preparing is to start. The IELTS Preparation exam is all about your command over the English language and your ability to communicate. The IELTS exam score is valid in more than 150 countries worldwide. Clearing the exam with a good band score opens the door to several opportunities including making a career, winning a scholarship, and fulfill your dreams of studying in a foreign university.   The first step for preparing for IELTS exam is to familiarize yourself with the format of the test. And the best way to do that is to review the content and understand the type of questions for each section. The IELTS exam comprises of four distinct sections. Speaking – It is a face-to-face interview which lasts for 10-14 minutes in which the examiner first asks short questions and then asks the candidate to talk about a specific topic at length. Listening – Students need to solve the answers by listening to several audio clips. The test lasts for 30 minutes. Reading – This test is for 60 minutes in which the student needs to solve 3 long reading passages. Each passage has some questions which need to be answered. Writing – Candidate is given 60 minutes in which he or she must write down a short task of 150 words and a long essay of at least 250 words. The main aspect to take care while preparing for the exam is the essentials of English language. Spelling mistakes, grammatical errors, punctuation errors are a big turn down. Hence, one must refrain from making mistakes if they wish to score well.   Here are some pointers that you must consider while preparing for the exam. Solve as many question papers from the previous years as possible. This will not only familiarize you with the pattern of questions but also help you manage the time well. Remember to follow the suggested timings mentioned for each section. For the listening tests, practice by listening to the audios to familiarize with the accent, situations, sounds, pronunciations, etc. Review your answers for the reading section. This will help you get an idea about the style of answers During the speaking test, make sure to have a direct eye contact with the examiner. This will automatically make you sound natural. During a speaking or writing test, never answer in a simple “Yes” or “No”. Always give an explanation for it. This will help you make your point clear. Keep a check on your handwriting, grammar and spelling errors Always ensure that you meet the minimum requirements of words during the writing test. You can always write more if the time permits.   The IELTS exam does not test your general knowledge of English, it is conducted to test how effectively you can communicate in English. Therefore, make sure you have clarity in your thoughts so that you have the same clarity in your content.   Still need guidance to start preparing for your IELTS exam? Check out https://www.gradbound.com   We at Gradbound offer the best-in-class study materials that are designed by a group of Canadian educators themselves. We offer enough and more practice papers from The British Council. Our step-by-step guide assists you with the necessary information and regular practice sessions, preparing you well for the upcoming IELTS exam.     IELTS Test Centre Canada   Want to study, work or migrate to Canada? If yes, then the first thing you will need is a good band score in the IELTS – English Proficiency Exam. Scoring well in the exam opens a window of opportunities. The IELTS test centres are located in more than 140 countries worldwide. Find your desired test centre here.

Topics : High School Credit Courses | International Students | Study in Canada
Top Private High Schools in Canada   There are several private schools in Canada, some are technical while some are general colleges. There are also private universities in Canada. Private schools work independently owned and managed, and while the others are regrouped under school groups. Some educational groups limit their activities to a single segment, for instance, technical. But some offer diversified segments such as general education, technical training, and so on.   Private high schools in Canada have a great reputation. Their main role is to prepare the students for higher education and admission in top universities. They offer enrichment programs and advanced study programs are offered by many private high schools. These programs help students to gain university credits.   Private high schools in Canada also offer high-quality education to children with special needs. The have the necessary expertise and support systems for such students who need help to excel. Students who suffer from learning disabilities, autism, ADHD, and/or physical disability need special attention, care, and patience. The private schools in Canada provide all kinds of comfort to these students to help them grow well.   Tuition fees in Private Schools   Despite the fact that admission in Private schools in Canada demand high investment, schools also realize that not all are financially equipped to afford admission in high schools. The schools provide one of many of the following facilities. · Several schools charge $5000 or less of tuition fees · Offer variety of financial aids · Private school scholarships are available · Some schools offer partial funding facility · Charitable organizations provide help to the needy   There are some more advantages of getting an admission in to private high schools. For instance, they can attract excellent teachers. This is because private schools charge more fees as compared to public schools, which makes them a preferred choice for the teachers. High tuition fees accounts for better education quality. Another advantage is private high schools in Canada offer several extracurricular activities, which allow you child to pursue his or her interests outside of the classroom.   Generally, in the private high schools, the number of students in a classroom is less, which allows students to focus and teachers to pay attention. Students have the option to study anything from the regular curriculum and can also choose from advanced full-time, part-time, online or summer courses. 98 percent of students who study from private high schools ending up getting accepted in top premium institutions for their higher studies.   Gradbound provides unique educational solutions and structural support to both students and institutions. Visit our site to find the list of Top Private High Schools in Canada.     Best Private High Schools in Canada   Canada is known to offer high-quality education which makes it one of the most desirable countries for study purpose. Gaining admission in private high schools is a great option for students to enter in Canada. The best private high schools in Canada meet the same regulatory requirements as public schools and also offer additional services and resources to students.

Topics : Boarding Schools in Canada | High School Credit Courses | Private High Schools
Private Day Schools Vs Boarding Schools Needless to say, school is a place for learning. Whether the child is exposed to day schooling, boarding schools or homeschooling, a good school always contributes towards the physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing of the child. The child not only grows intellectually but also learns to tackle problems, becomes creative and more socially active. In this blog, we will look at the major differences between private day schools and boarding schools and whether one is better than the other. To best way to begin with is to understand the unique features of both the schools. In day schools, the students are more actively seeking education and have a strong bond with their parents. This is because the parents are consciously involved in the growth of the child and celebrate with the child all of his or her achievements. Parents become an integral part of their child's academic journey. They assist the child in completing homework and projects. In day schooling students can leverage all the opportunities of the local community and also enjoy their time along with family and friends. Financially speaking, day schools charge half the tuition fees as compared to boarding schools. Overall, day schooling results in lesser sudden changes in a child’s life allowing him or her to live life with his family. While in boarding schools the scenario largely differs. The child is deeply exposed to the values of the schools and is more close to his or her classmates and teachers than the immediate family. The child acquires maturity of handling relationships and become independent faster than ever. Unlike day schools, teacher is the greatest motivator for children studying in boarding schools. Boarding schools prepare the child for greater challenges and better academic experiences. Boarding schools although charge high, the fees is still considered low as the money spent on the child’s normal expenses is saved. In addition, the transportation costs and activities costs are all incurred by the school which is part of the fee structure. Boarding schooling offers several opportunities to interact with people from different backgrounds. Boarding schools are preferable if the parents are constantly moving due to work or other reasons. This way the studies are not affected and the child is able to maintain a good routine. Both, day schools and boarding schools have their own set of advantages and challenges. Each option must be carefully considered before making a choice. For more information on private schools in Canada, visit Gradbound.   Have you studied in a day school or a boarding school? Comment your experiences below.  

Topics : IELTS Writing Tips | Learn English
How to Improve your English? Have you ever felt that your English is not upto the mark? Do you doubt yourself while speaking or writing in English? Do you find it difficult to remember new words and use them? If yes, then read ahead. Learning a new language and gaining expertise in it is not a cake walk. One needs to be consistent and practice diligently. Same applies for English language. Having strong English communication skills takes you a long way in building your career path. In this blog we will look at some proven tactics that will help you improve your command over the English language. English language like any other language comprises of three separate units – Speaking, Writing and Reading.   Speaking in English Speaking fluently in English is a major challenge for the majority of the people. While speaking, do not hurry. Think well, relax, and then speak up slowly. This will give you enough time to think and frame your sentences. Your motive will be to convey your message to others. Always observe at your audience and read their body language. Try to energetic while talking. Smile to create an impression. Ensure that you talk relevant to the context. For example, during a group discussion focus on the topic and give your opinions accordingly. Digressing from the topic will serve no purpose of discussions. If you find that the audience is confused by listening to your opinion, explain it further to make them understand. Learn new words - Watch movies, listen to English songs, focus on the subtitles and try to grasp the new words. Once you come across a new word, find its meaning using a dictionary and try to use it in a sentence. Try to use the word often so that you remember it well. Also, find out words that have similar meaning to your new word and its context of usage. That way you can make different sentences that mean the same but are used in different situations. Take care of the grammatical errors while speaking. Ensure you use the proper tense, pronouns according to the context. By following all of the above points, you will definitely be able to improve your English communication skills.   Writing in English While writing in English, always avoid spelling mistakes and focus on maintaining a legible handwriting. Improving your vocabulary will also help you to improve your writing skills. Write whatever comes to your mind. Maintain a diary in which you can write down your daily happenings. Try to use new words while writing. Keep the sentences simple. Do not make them lengthy and complex. Take care of punctuation marks and grammatical errors. Understand the different styles of writing. For instance, a letter is written in a different style as compared to an essay. Even a formal letter is written in a different style than an informal letter. Read through to understand the writing styles and apply them often in your practice. Practice will make you perfect.   Reading in English The crux of improving any language is to have maximum exposure to the language. In order to gain confidence in English, read books, newspapers, magazines, and whatever else interests you. Reading serves a greater purpose. It gives you imagination to write, improves your vocabulary, increases your reading speed, and also gives you the necessary confidence of speaking. Quoting a relevant phrase from a book or an incidence from a story during a discussion leaves a great impression amidst the crowd. Initially read whatever you can, later you can create your preferences. Read all sort of contents also helps you understand the different styles of writing. Always read aloud, this helps you gain confidence and modulate your tones.  Having a strong command over the English language helps you score well in the language proficiency tests like IELTS and TOEFL. Both these tests are based on English language proficiency and good band scores help candidates apply to top universities across the world. They are a gateway for higher education in foreign universities and also for immigration purposes. To know more on how to prepare for IELTS and apply for universities in Canada, visit Gradbound.

Topics : Study in Canada
The coronavirus pandemic has forced many Canadian families to live a simpler life. This is the case with the Khan family where the single father lost his job.   The Uber driver says that since the pandemic, he has had to put the brakes on his business and hope and pray that normalcy resumes in short order.   “One of the reasons for halting my Uber operation is fear of transferring the virus to the rest of my family members. I didn’t want to do it because I have two children who are attending college and an elderly parent living with me.”   The father of two Humber College students decided to seek alternative means of financial support and not just rely on government unemployment subsidies. He got a part-time job working from home.   While he was happy for the income, it was very meagre in comparison to his responsibility of allowing his two daughters to finish their college education.   “They expect to finish college. Full stop. Then, we have to also eat and take care of all our needs.”   What he didn’t immediately know when he halted his UBER business was that his daughters would be recipients of two government study grants.   “I learned that because I was below 55 years and earned less than $55,000 a year, I could get up to $28,000 in government grant for each of my daughters. I was able to access these grants with the assistance of a friend.”   Across Ontario, there has been an uptick among college and university students seeking financial aid.   “Students are requesting help with transportation, laptops, access to Wi-Fi and data plan,” one school administrator stated.   “One of the quickest ways for students to get help is either from their school or a government grant,” she continued.   Khan was happy that government grants exist to assist his daughters to continue their college education.   Khan summed up his satisfaction this way, “I am constantly reminded of what a generous country Canada is. My daughters can continue their college education due to these government study grants.”   The federal and provincial government provides various study grants including the Ontario Student Grant, the Canada Student Grant for Full-Time students; the Skill Boost Top-up to the Canada Student Grant for Full-Time Students and Canada Student Grant for persons with Dependants.       Located in the world-class city of Toronto, Gradbound Education & Immigrations is a tailor-made solutions company that provides support for those who wish to live the Canadian dream. Since 2017, it has successfully processed over 3000 clients to come to Canada as Permanent Residents, Students, Visitors and Business Owners.   Robin Clarke is a marketing officer at Gradbound Education & Immigration Solutions. He can be reached at 1-647-873-4103.

Topics : High School Credit Courses | Study in Canada
Saroj Khanna, a permanent resident whose parents are from India, will not have to worry too much about attending a Canadian college or university this fall when she begins pursuing her college advance diploma at Centennial College. Like many colleges age adults who are first-generation Canadian permanent residents or citizens, she will benefit from the government’s postsecondary study grant, a grant given by the federal and provincial Ontario governments purposed to increase the access of lower-income Canadians who wish to access tertiary education.   She lets it be known that she will be relying on the study grant for her three years of college life to ensure she studies without too much financial burden or loans. “I am the first in my family who will be attending a Canadian tertiary institution. My family came to Canada and even though they are well-educated, they literally started over so they don’t have much money to pay my tuition fees,” says the seemingly shy Saroj.   She continues, “I have always wanted to study artificial intelligence, especially with this pandemic. I really want to be an essential worker helping to build Canada.”   Like the many international immigrants who want to live the Canadian dream promised to her parents when they arrived in Canada, getting college or university certification and training makes the major difference in a very crowded job market populated by other job seekers as well as employers who are demanding not only experience but certification. While Canadians and permanent residents pride themselves in getting a Canadian education, the average cost for it can leave many students in incalculable debt.   Saroj says that she knows too many families who are left in serious debt due to costs associated with pursuing an undergraduate or postgraduate degree. “I know of a family now that owes the government $26,888. They are worried if they will ever come out of debt. They didn’t know about the study grant that the province provides.”   Families such as the one mentioned by Saroj captures statistics echoed in the 2015 Canadian University Survey Consortium that stated that 50% of students reported having student debt with 29% owing over $20,000 or more. It is for this reason provincial and the federal government have been working to make post-secondary education more affordable.   In Ontario, for example, many tertiary institutions have been reaching out to prospective students such as Saroj Khanna, encouraging them to take up their programs because financial loans, aids and grants are provided by both the federal and provincial governments. As one of the more popular of the study grants in Ontario, the government’s study grant makes tuition-free for students whose families make less than $50,000 a year- -which accounts for nearly a third of the province’s post-secondary students.   Saroj beamed with excitement when she heard that the grant takes care of most of her college expenses. She notes, “The cost of attending college is not just the tuition fees, but daily costs such as purchasing lunch and general transportation.”   She also posited, “Other than covering expenses, what I am especially happy about is that I will gain transferable skills through networking which are important for my professional development and job search. Also, as a potential candidate, most employers prefer Canadian education. My college education increases my chances of being employed.”   She celebrates the opportunities that will be afforded to her when she begins school in the fall.