Welcome, and thank you for your interest in the International Student Program at the Upper Grand District School Board (UGDSB). This information package explains the admission and application procedures for the program. Please note that applications must be received by May 15 (may be sooner if quota is met before this date) to attend the first semester of school (beginning in September) and by November 1 to attend the second semester of school (beginning in February).

 

Please direct any questions to: International.Student@ugdsb.on.ca

 

We look forward to hearing from you.

 

ADMISSION CRITERIA

 

Acceptance into the UGDSB’s International Student Program and subsequent placement into a school will be determined by:

 

The student’s educational background and current academic standing as indicated in their transcripts. An applicant must have a B average or greater (approximately 75%) and is expected to arrive before school starts. A parent/guardian and the student must sign the UGDSB Student Participation Agreement, Terms and Conditions, Field Trip Authorization, and Consent for Photo/Video Release. Students must know and follow the individual school’s Code of Conduct.

 

The availability of space in the UGDSB’s International Student Program.

 

Receipt of Study Permit: All students must apply for and receive a Study Permit from Citizenship and Immigration Canada before they leave their home country to attend a school in Canada. Guidelines and an application form can be found on the Citizenship and Immigration Canada website: www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/applications/student.asp or through the Canadian Embassy, High Commission, or Consulate in your home country. Students should contact the Canadian Visa Office in their home country about the need to complete any additional forms, or provide any additional documents.

 

PROGRAMS AND PLACEMENT

 

Secondary High School Program: Grade 9 to Grade 12

 

All secondary school applicants must have a B average or greater (approximately 75%). The final placement, program and school a student attends will be determined by the UGDSB and will be decided by the student’s home address and level of English language proficiency. Wherever possible, arrangements will be made to match the student’s academic interests.

 

Elementary School Program: Junior Kindergarten to Grade 8

 

Elementary students will be placed in the grade for which they are age appropriate. Elementary students must live with an immediate family member while studying with the UGDSB. An immediate family member is defined as grandparent, parent, aunt, uncle, cousin or brother/sister.

 

TUITION and SCHOOL FEES

 

Tuition fees will be reviewed on a yearly basis and are payable in Canadian (CDN) dollars. The school fee is included in the tuition. This fee is set by each school and covers student card and participation fees.

 

APPLICATION FEE

 

UGDSB:$800(non-refundable)

- Includes $300 Application Fee + $500 Placement Fee*

 

* The entire Placement Fee is applied to tuition reducing tuition by the full $500.

 

REFUND PROTOCOL

 

Every refund is subject to a $600 CDN administration fee deduction. All requests for refunds must be made in writing and sent to the International Student Program Office. All refunds are to be returned to the original account from where the payment came from via Flywire.

 

In the event that a student does not come to study at UGDSB or decides to leave UGDSB, the following refund protocol will apply:

• A full refund of the tuition fee (less $600) will be issued if Citizenship and Immigration Canada does not approve a Study Permit. A student must include the original letter of rejection from the Canadian Embassy for a refund. It is recommended that the student maintain a copy for their files.
• A full refund of the tuition fee (less $600) will be issued if the student cannot find a custodian and/or homestay. A student must include proof that a custodian and/or homestay could not obtained.
• Two-thirds of the tuition fee (less$600) will be refunded if the student withdraws the application for the Study Permit in his/her own country and the student notifies the Board of such action 30 calendar days prior to the start of the program.
• One-half of the tuition fees (less $600) will be refunded if the student withdraws after the start of the program, but before 30 calendar days have elapsed.
• No refund will be granted to a student who withdraws 30 calendar days after the start of the program.  
• No refund of the tuition fee will be granted if the student is dismissed from the program due to a breach of law, policy, Student Participation Agreement or regulation as determined by the Government of Canada, the police, and/or the UGDSB.
• No refund for the tuition fee will be granted if the student changes immigration status during the year. Students who have applied for or who become permanent residents of Canada (landed immigrants) after being registered at the school will not be eligible for a refund.

 

APPLICATION PROCESS

 

STEP 1:

Submit the application through our Secure Online Application Portal

Required information:

1. Student photo
2. Passport or birth certificate
3. Official English-translated copies of school report cards/transcripts for the current year and the previous year
4. English-translated copies of Immunization/vaccination record
5. Signed Student Participation Agreement/Terms and Conditions/Field Trip Authorization/Consent for Photo/Video Release  (provided in the Secure Online Application)

STEP 2:

Pay the non-refundable application fee: $800 Canadian (CDN)

 

Payments made OUTSIDE CANADA are to be done via Flywire Payment Portal:

Upper Grand District School Board has partnered with Flywire for international payments. This service provides students and their families a cost effective and convenient method of making payments to Upper Grand District School Board in foreign currencies.

Flywire allows you to:

• Pay from any country and any bank (bank transfer, credit card, etc.)
• Save money on bank fees and ensure your payment is received in full
• Obtain excellent foreign exchange rates with a best rate guarantee
• Receive peace of mind with 24x7 multilingual customer support
• Track your payment from start to finish

How to Make an International Payment with Flywire

1. Go to Upper Grand District School Board’s Flywire payment portal to begin your payment, or click on the Pay Now with Flywire button below.
2. Enter payment amount in Canadian dollars and select your home country from the drop down. List of payment options will display.
3. Select payment method from the options listed. Note: Local payment options may vary depending on the country you are paying from.
4. Create (or login to) your Flywire account so that you and Upper Grand District School Board can track your payment. Enter some basic information to initiate your payment booking.
5. Follow instructions to send payment funds to Flywire. Note: For credit card or other online payments, enter your card details online to complete your payment in your home currency or currency displayed. 
6. Track your payment any time by logging into your Flywire account. Receive text and email status updates each step of the way, including a confirmation when your payment has been delivered to Upper Grand District School Board.

 

Multilingual Customer Support

Phone: 1-800-346-9252

Email: support@flywire.com

International Phone Numbers & Frequently Asked Questions

 

Payments made WITHIN CANADA can be done by direct deposit at any branch of the Royal Bank:

Ensure student name is written on the deposit slip.

 

Account details for deposit:

Royal Bank of Canada

Main Branch, 74 Wyndham St., Guelph, ON Canada N1E 4E6

Institution Code: 0003     Transit Number: 01762     Account Number: 0000133     SWIFT Code: ROYCCAT2

 

STEP 3:

When the student has been accepted, the UGDSB will send an invoice for the tuition. Pay the invoice using the payment option listed in Step 2.

 

STEP 4:

Prepare and submit Custodianship documents: For students under the age of 18, the following documents are required:

1. electronic (fax or email) copy of the custodianship declaration from the custodian, notarized in Canada.
2. electronic (fax or email) copy of the custodianship declaration from the student’s parents, notarized in the country of origin.

 

Custodianship Declaration and Requirements

 

Any student under the age of 18, who is not living with his/her parent(s), is required to have a custodian. The custodian will assume responsibility for the student and will ensure that his/her accommodations and other living expenses such as food, clothing and transportation are provided. The custodian will act in place of a parent in emergencies. The custodian must be over 25 years of age and a Canadian citizen or Permanent Resident of Canada.

 

If a new custodian is appointed during the academic year, a copy of the Custodianship Declaration must be submitted to the International Student Program Office immediately. Each form must be notarized in Canada and in the home country as required.

 

Custodian Declaration forms are available from the Citizenship and Immigration Canada website www.cic.gc.ca/english/pdf/pub/custodian-parent.pdf

 

For students who are 18 years of age or older, they must live with a host family/relative for the duration of their study period and not live independently. An emergency contact must be made available at all times. The emergency contact must live within or close to the UGDSB boundaries.

 

STEP 5:

If the student will not be living with family or the custodian, arrangements must be made for homestay. When arrangements have been completed, inform the International Student Program Office of the homestay name, address and telephone number.

 

STEP 6:

Upon receipt of tuition, a Letter of Acceptance will be sent. Use this letter to apply for a Study Permit.

 

Please contact the nearest Canadian Immigration Office in your home country for detailed information on application processing times.

 

STEP 7:

Upon receipt of Canadian Visa/Study Permit, contact the International Student Program office by phone: 519-941-6191 ext 225, or email: International.Student@ugdsb.on.ca.

 

It is highly recommended that the student arrive in Canada at least one week before the start of the school semester. A later arrival date may result in a delay starting school.

 

STEP 8:

The UGDSB requires that all International Students provide proof of Health Insurance, sign the Terms and Conditions, agreeing to purchase Health Insurance and provide current immunization record.

 

STEP 9:

Upon Arrival in Canada

 

The following documentation must be presented. This is done in person by appointment with staff from the International Student Program Office and/or at the Orientation date of the assigned school.

• Original Study Permit
• Original Passport
• Student and parent/custodian’s full mailing address and phone number
• Custody documents (if not already submitted)
• If living in a homestay, name, address and telephone number of the homestay parent
• Proof of health insurance while living in Canada
• Original official English translated school report cards/transcripts for the current year and the previous year
• English-translated copies of Immunization record