The USA is a humongous education hub. An increasing number of students study abroad in USA, resulting in the country having one of the highest numbers of international students. Students can pursue undergraduate, postgraduate and research degrees. The USA has a unique climate, culture, history and economy. The universities in the USA are broadly classified as Public and Private.

These are state-affiliated institutions that are financially supported by public taxes and are usually large in size. Study in USA through Public Universities normally offers students all levels of degrees across many different fields of study. Tuitions fees are usually less compared to private institutions. Examples: Pennsylvania State University, Ohio State University, University of California, Kansas State University, University of Texas etc.

A private university runs without the control of any government entity. Tuition fees at private universities tend to be much higher than at public universities. Examples: Long Island University, George Washington University, New York University, Carnegie Mellon University, etc.

Conversion Rate USD 1 - Rs 84/-

On an average, a student spends approximately $15000 - 18000/year to study in USA. But the expenses also depend on the place i.e., if a student stays in a metropolitan city like New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles, etc the expenses could go up to $20000 in comparison to a student studying in a suburban area where the expenses around $10000 to $12000 / year. Higher education in USA for Indian students often involves living in suburban areas, however this may add up to the student’s transportation cost. But colleges do provide transportation passes for the same. Living afar would result in more time consumption.

During your study in USA, accommodation is of two types i.e., a student can either stay On-Campus (Halls of Residence/Students hostel) or Off-Campus (Home stay, Apartments/Flats). Staying Off-Campus is much cheaper but it is always advisable that the student should stay on-campus for the first six months to be able to interact with classmates and also be accustomed to the environment.

Insurance Policy for international students is mandatory. Insurance costs approximately between $1000-$2000/year. It is advisable that students must include insurance from an Indian Insurance Company, but make sure that it covers medical expenses, personal accidents, dental treatment, study interruption, passport loss etc. Higher education in USA for Indian students Insurance is basically cashless so a student does not need to pay money at the time of hospitalization.

On completion of study in Canada from India, students graduating from a program of 2 years or more are eligible for a 3-year work permit after graduation with no restrictions on the types of employment and no requirement for a job offer. The experience gained would provide them with an opportunity to work in an international setting and at the same time allow them to earn the money invested.

Canada is an international leader in Java, computers, networking and wireless communications. Insulin and flat-screens are some of the leading inventions originated in Canada. It has a reputation of excellence in sectors that include telecommunications, transportation, engineering, microelectronics, hydroelectric power, biotechnology, food & beverage processing, geometric, ocean & environmental industries, aerospace etc. Some top Canadian companies recognized internationally are Black Berry, IMAX, BATA, Corel etc. The Gourmand Report ranked 18 of North America's Top 40 Electrical Engineering Faculties in Canada. The Global Competitiveness Report 2000 ranked Canada 1st in Knowledge workers.

Co Operative Work Term

Co-op is a work term provided as part of the course curriculum. It provides an excellent opportunity to gain first-hand practical experience related to the field of specialization. Study in Canada for Indian students enables them to gain job experience while continuing to study. Co-op provides full-time opportunities that last for 12 to 17 weeks. Co-operative work programmes combine courses in many subjects with relevant work, giving students an invaluable head starts to their careers. This assists international students in connecting with the Canadian job market and developing networks.

Work During Studies

1st June 2014 onwards, full-time students are eligible to work off-campus without a work permit for up to 20 hours per week and full-time during vacations. Several programs may even have a paid co-op term where students get hands-on experience in working in the industry. They can earn approximately C$ $11-$15 per hour. Students can work full-time off-campus during co-op terms, amounting to earnings between C$ 700 to C$900 per month. As Canada education consultants we inform students that on completion of the program, they can work up to 3 years depending on the length of their study program.

There are limited scholarships available to study in Canada, but they rarely cover the full cost of a program and are not always easy to find. Scholarships are available to international students with exceptional results at some institutions. The amount awarded varies from one institution to another and usually covers only a segment of a student's education and living expenses. Obtaining a scholarship is very competitive and applications must be made directly to each university along with the application for admission. Community and Career Colleges do not usually award scholarships nor do school boards or most private schools. Scholarships depend on whether students are pursuing undergraduation or postgraduation in Canada.

Types of Scholarships

Sports Scholarship:

Universities and colleges often encourage students who have a resumé which shows proof of a national/state/district level experience in fields of several sports. With the increasing popularity of extracurriculars, sports as an area are becoming a crucial factor in the admission process when students decide to study in Canada from India.

Ethnic Scholarships:

Individuals belonging to a particular race/ethnicity are often awarded scholarships in some circumstances, if adequate authentic information is provided to universities. Asian/Pacific Islander Scholarships: - Just as there are scholarships specifically targeted towards Latino, Hispanic, African American, and Native American minority students, there are scholarships solely for Asian or Pacific Islander students. American Indian/Native American Scholarships: - Since there are fewer Native Americans than there are Latinos, Hispanics, and African Americans, there is less competition when it comes to Native American scholarships.

Merit-Based Scholarships:

There are two types of scholarships, those which are awarded by universities and those which are awarded by other organizations. Merit-based scholarships are typically awarded for impeccable academic scores but some merit scholarships are awarded for special talents, potential leaders, or other personal characteristics

International Undergraduate Scholarships in Canada:

These scholarships are only awarded to international students who have qualified for any undergraduate course in Canada. Some of the scholarships are given below: -

• Humber College International Entrance Scholarships:

Humber offers renewable full and partial tuition scholarships to new international students beginning classes in September and January of each year.

• University of Calgary Graduate Awards:

University of Calgary offers a wide range of full and partial scholarships for international students. Scholarship values range from $1,000 to $40,000 and cover varied fields of study.

• Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships:

The scholarships are towards a doctoral degree (or combined MA/PhD or MD/PhD) at participating Canadian Universities. The scholarship is worth $50,000 per year for three years.

• York University International Student Scholarship:

International students who have an excellent academic record and admitted to York University are eligible for the scholarship.

Intakes:

The preparation to study in Canada for Indian students should begin a year in advance. The major intake for Canada universities and colleges is 'Fall', September. The other intake is in the month of January i.e., 'Winter', but it depends on the program and the institution applied to. Very few institutes might have the May intake as well.

English Language Requirements:

All students must be fluent in English if they are applying to Canadian Institutes. International students need to reach the required level of English language competence. All students should take the IELTS orTOEFL (ibt) exams. An IELTS band of 6.0/6.5 for undergraduates & 6.5/7 for postgraduate courses or a TOEFL score of 80 and above for undergraduate and 90 and above for postgraduation in Canada is desirable.

Eligibility:

Universities in Canada have a requirement level for its programmes. The requirements are mentioned below: -

• Advance Diploma/ Diploma / Certificate:

The student should have a Higher Second-Class score in HSC. They should have cleared the IELTS/TOEFL (ibt) exams successfully complying to the conditions laid down by the university.

• Bachelor's Degree:

The student must clear HSC in First Class. And should have cleared the IELTS/TOEFL (ibt) exams successfully complying to the conditions laid down by the university.

• Postgraduate Certification / Diploma:

A Higher Second Class in Bachelor's degree (3 or 4 years) is necessary for a student to apply for Postgraduate Certification/Diploma. Students should have cleared the IELTS/TOEFL (ibt) exams successfully complying to the conditions laid down by the university.

• Master’s Degree

A Master’s Degree student should have a First class in Bachelor’s degrees (4 Years only). If students wish to pursue their postgraduation in Canada, they should have cleared the IELTS/TOEFL (ibt) exams successfully complying to the conditions laid down by the university or First Class in Bachelor's degree (3 years in India) is required. Or could have completed a Postgraduate Certificate or Diploma from a Canadian university.

• Documents:

• Updated Resume
• An Essay or a writing sample latest.
• Academic Documents - Secondary and Higher Secondary mark sheets, Bachelors mark sheet, Masters mark sheet (As per the student's case).
• A complete research report and questionnaire form for post graduate and research students.
• Work experience letter (As per student's case).
• IELTS score sheet/ TOEFL or English proficiency test score result.
• GRE/GMAT score sheet (As per the student's case).
• Portfolio, thesis on the research subject (As per students’ case).
• Transcripts and Mark sheets from College or University.
• Letters of Recommendation.
• Statement of Purpose.

Types of Certification

• Certificate is a qualification awarded upon the successful completion of a program that is usually a course of a year's time.
• Diploma is a qualification awarded on the basis of one or two years of successful study.
• Advanced Diploma is a 3 years program, some of which may lead to a Bachelor's Degree.
• Bachelor's Degree are awarded by Universities/University Colleges/Community Colleges after four years of full-time study and lead to graduate level studies.
• Post Graduate Diplomas/Certificates leads to a Master’s Degree. These programs have work terms that provide full-time opportunities to gain practical experience along with theoretical studies, which is a major pull factor for students who decide to study in Canada from India. The prerequisites to participate in these programs are Bachelor's Degrees of 3- or 4-years duration.
• Master's Degree is an option for Bachelor’s Degree Graduates who have an interest in further learning and research, and for those who want to broaden their career possibilities by attaining a postgraduation in Canada. It is for 2 years and can be pursued after a 4 years Bachelors or a 3 years Bachelors & a 1year Post Graduate Diploma from Canada.
• Doctorate or PhD is a degree ranking above the Master’s Degree and generally takes four to seven years to complete.

Institutions: The degrees and diplomas from Canadian universities and colleges are among the most widely recognized in the world. The education system in Canada encompasses both public funded & private institutions. Students have a diverse choice of 90 Universities & 175 Community Colleges offering a wide array of programs. Students can earn more from vocational & Technology courses than normal degrees.

Post-secondary education is offered by four types of educational institutions:

• Technical/ Career Colleges: These are privately owned and operated with the main objective of preparing students for the job market after a short period of instruction. The emphasis here is on practical skills over a broad range of programs.
• Community Colleges & Technical Institutes: They typically have more career-oriented, practical/technical related curricula, with small classes, off-campus course offerings, a greater ratio of laboratory space to classroom space, and an interactive teaching style.
• University Colleges: As a component of the Canadian University system, university colleges offer students a choice of either academic oriented university degree programs or the more practical-oriented college diplomas and certificates when they decide to study in Canada from India.
• Universities: Canadian Universities are largely public funded and thus, offer consistently high-quality education at lower tuition rates for international students than their counterparts in competing countries. They offer a broad range of programs from Undergraduate to Doctorate and also certificate and professional degrees.

Grade Point Average (GPA): The average grade achieved by a student during the course of an educational program, is calculated on various scales depending on the Institution. (e.g.: generally, the student may be evaluated on a 4-point scale or a 9-point scale).

Study in Canada for Indian students, becomes challenging when they have to gain a Canadian study permit. However, with the launch of the Student Direct Stream (SDS) by the Canadian High Commission, New Delhi, students applying to Canada have received an advantage. Under this SDS proposal, the student has an advantage if they apply to these colleges who are under the Association of Canadian Community Colleges (ACCC) members. The student visa will be processed faster with a lot more of positive response from the CHC.

To qualify for a Study Permit Application under SDS the student should hold an unconditional offer letter from one of the institutions that are included under this scheme. Students must also meet the requirements of the Canadian Immigration Act and Regulations. The study permit is a document issued, that allows foreign nationals to study at designated learning institutions (DLI) in Canada.

The Canadian High Commission provides all visa applicants an efficient, transparent, and standardized application process which simplifies application submission and fee payment in India.

A visa interview is not mandatory, but if required the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada may ask students to attend an interview at the Visa Office – Delhi/Bangalore/Chandigarh. Once the Visa Office has assessed an application, they will make a decision and affix a visa counterfoil in the passport or otherwise issue a letter explaining why a visa could not be granted to study in Canada.

Where to Apply

Students may deposit their application at the Canada Visa Application Centre (CVAC), India operated by VFS Global Services Pvt. Ltd. Once students deposit their application at the Visa Application Centre, the VAC staff will perform a complete check, based on IRCC requirements and will then submit the application on the student’s behalf on the following business day. Applications may also be submitted to Canadian Immigration and Citizenship by using online application system of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)'s website at www.cic.gc.ca 

Visa Documents

• The complete application form along with the visa application.
• A valid Passport.
• A Letter of Acceptance from the respective university.
• The Certificate of Acceptance from the province of Quebec (If applied for Quebec).
• IELTS score sheet/ TOEFL or English proficiency test score result.
• Academic Documents
• Visa processing fees - Bank Draft.
• Proof of Funds OR GIC (Guaranteed Investment Certificate).
• Photo
• Fee Receipt from the College/University.

Visa Process

1. To obtain an Unconditional acceptance letter from the University/ College.

2. Paying the tuition fee for 1st year as requested by the University / College.

3. Demonstrating the proof for purchase of Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) from a participating Canadian financial institution to cover the living expenses for the first year in Canada.

4. Complete the medical examination before submitting the study permit application by visiting one of the panel physicians in India.

5. Submission of the visa application forms along with the relevant documentation.

6. Collecting the passport from the nearest Canada Visa Application Centre after the application gets processed and receive a notification to get the passport collected.

What is an ICCRC Membership?

The Immigration Consultants of Canada Regulatory Council (ICCRC) is a non-profit organization appointed by the Government of Canada to regulate the immigration consulting profession and safeguard consumer interests. Immigration consultants provide their services to individuals seeking help to navigate immigration issues in Canada.

Is It Mandatory for A Student to Apply Through An ICCRC Member?

No. It is not mandatory for a student to apply for a student visa via an ICCRC member as per Bill C-35. Further as per IMM5476E (Use of Representative Form) it is clearly stated that one need not hire an immigration representative (ICCRC Member) and can be represented by any individual to conduct business on his/her behalf with Citizenship and Immigration Canada and Canada Border Services Agency.

What Is the Difference Between a University and a College?

Universities are educational institutions attended after at least 12 years of school, or after secondary school for studies leading to a degree and research. All Canadian Universities offer a 4-year Bachelor’s degree programs; most offer one to two years Master's degree and some also offer Doctoral or PhD programs. Few colleges, schools and universities offer bachelorette degrees to students. Community colleges are two-year institutions that offer technical or vocational courses, or courses for transfer to a university, leading to a Certificate or Diploma. These colleges do not generally offer degree programs.

Can I Study and Work Part-Time to Finance myself In Canada?

Yes, you can in certain circumstances. However, when applying for a student authorization you must be able to prove to the visa officer that you have enough finances to support yourself for the entire length of your study program. International students can work off the University/College campus for 20 hours/week during their study in Canada and 40 hours/week during their vacation period. Full-time students can work in their institutions without the need for employment authorization. They can earn approximately C$ 7 - C$ 10 per hour. Students can work full-time off-campus during co-op terms and can earn approximately C$ 10 - C$ 15 per hour, amounting to C$ 400 to C$ 1,000 per month. Students are allowed to work in Canada for 1 to 3 years after completing their academic program depending on the length of the program.

Does A Diploma Hold Value?

Colleges offer a wide variety of career-oriented programs like Advanced Diplomas/ Diplomas/ Certificates. These programs are specially designed to give students the opportunity to learn and develop many marketable skills in their preferred career. It emphasizes on the technical aspects whilst providing hands-on experience and fundamentals of the program. These programs give the students a practical background that employers demand and help them get jobs easily. It may often happen that students who have completed a vocational program may get better jobs/salaries than those who have studied in a University Degree Program.

Do Students Need Health Insurance?

Yes. As Canada education consultants, we inform students that health insurance is mandatory. Students will have to arrange for medical coverage before their study in Canada. Medical coverage varies from province to province, and sometimes from university to university within each province. Most of the institutes have health insurance included in their tuition fees. Students may also take health insurance from India.