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Étudier à l'étranger

Le Canada est un pays de choix pour ceux qui envisagent de faire des études supérieures à l'international. L'enseignement y est reconnu pour sa qualité, la diversité des programmes offerts, sa réputation internationale, ses installations modernes et ses coûts abordables. La vie étudiante y est des plus dynamiques !

Organisation des études supérieures au Canada

Au Canada, ce sont les provinces qui sont responsables de l'enseignement. Chaque établissement choisit donc la structure de ses programmes.

Le système universitaire canadien suit le modèle de son voisin américain. Seul le Québec possède son propre système éducatif composé de l'école primaire, de l'école secondaire et du collège d'enseignement général et professionnel (CEGEP). Appelés "collèges communautaires", ces établissements s'adressent à des jeunes désireux de s'orienter vers des carrières n'exigeant pas un diplôme universitaire. En plus des formations techniques, les Cégeps et certains Collèges (Canada anglophone) dispensent des formations générales préparatoires à l'université.

Le Canada présente trois niveaux d'études universitaires : le Bachelor (1er cycle d'études en 4 ans post-bac), le Master (Bac+5) et le PhD (jusqu'à 5 ans d'études après le Master permettant aux étudiants de se spécialiser dans la recherche et l'enseignement). À cela s'ajoutent des formations professionnalisantes comme le MBA ou les Masters spécialisés.

Les diplômes canadiens bénéficient d'une reconnaissance internationale.

Calendrier scolaire: l'année universitaire s'étend de début septembre à fin avril. Elle est divisée en deux sessions ou semestres.
Bon à savoir : il est possible de s'inscrire pour des summer sessions (très développées dans les établissements d'Amérique du Nord).
L'emploi du temps à l'université est assez "léger" avec une quinzaine d'heures de cours par semaine en moyenne, mais une quantité de travail personnel assez importante. Vous aurez beaucoup de temps libre pour rejoindre les associations étudiantes et clubs sportifs qui vous intéressent, et voyager à travers le pays.

Pour connaître les universités, leurs spécificités et leurs coordonnées, consulter le site université Canada.

S'inscrire dans une université canadienne

Accès : sélectif, sur dossier scolaire. Pour l'admission à des programmes de premier cycle, les universités évaluent les relevés de notes de l'école secondaire de l'étudiant.

Chaque établissement a ses propres critères de sélection. Pour la plupart des types d'études, les étudiants étrangers devront :

avoir réussi l'équivalent d'un programme de niveau secondaire canadien avec des notes élevées ;

faire preuve d'une solide compétence de la pratique de l'anglais (ou du français si les études doivent se dérouler dans cette langue).

Il n'existe pas de système d'équivalence automatique entre diplômes français et canadiens. Vous devez donc présenter une demande d'équivalence à l'université choisie.
Il s'agit d'une démarche individuelle : vous devez déposer un dossier avant la date limite indiquée par l'université. Cette date se situe entre le 1er janvier et le 1er mars, selon l'établissement.
Attention : certains cursus sont contingentés, c'est-à-dire que le nombre d'élèves qu'ils peuvent accueillir est fixé à l'avance : médecine, dentaire, vétérinaire, pharmacie et physiothérapie.

Conseils

Postulez dans plusieurs universités pour multiplier vos chances de réussite.

Faites votre demande d'admission au minimum trois mois avant la date limite de réception des dossiers par les universités.

Avant de préparer votre projet, renseignez-vous sur les équivalences pour rejoindre un programme au Canada : votre niveau d'études européen n'est pas nécessairement valable de l'autre côté de l'Atlantique.

Financer ses études au Canada

Frais de scolarité

Les frais de scolarité varient selon la province, l'établissement et le domaine d'études. Les frais par année universitaire peuvent varier de 4 500 à 23 478 $ CAN (soit entre 3 470 et 18 100 euros) pour une inscription en 1er cycle.

Au Québec, les étudiants de nationalité française paient les mêmes droits d'inscription que les Québécois, soit un peu plus de 2 000 $ CAN (soit environ 1 542 euros) pour une inscription (annuelle) en 1er cycle.

À ces montants s'ajoutent des frais afférents qui varient d'une université à l'autre. On trouvera un simulateur de frais sur les sites des diverses universités.

Obtenir une bourse

Au niveau du 1er cycle, il existe très peu de bourses pour les étudiants étrangers. Les universités canadiennes allouent plutôt des bourses aux étudiants inscrits en 2e et 3e cycle.

Trouver un logement

Au Canada, le logement n'est pas un problème. La course au logement y est moins effrénée, vous trouverez facilement une chambre chez l'habitant, et la colocation est très répandue. Renseignez-vous auprès des services aux étudiants ou du service d'aide aux étrangers. Presque toutes les universités proposent des chambres en résidence.

À noter : la demande de chambre universitaire est à déposer en même temps que la demande d'admission à l'université.

Dans quelle langue étudier au Canada ?

Au Canada, on peut étudier en français ou en anglais, ou encore dans les deux langues.

Il est même possible de commencer ses études en français (même au Canada anglophone, grâce aux 13 universités francophones) et de passer à l'anglais dès le 1er cycle (si votre niveau le permet). La plupart des universités francophones offrent des programmes d'anglais seconde langue.

Les étudiants peuvent être tenus de fournir une preuve de leur compétence linguistique sous la forme d'un test de compétence linguistique (par exemple TOEFL, IELTS, MELAB). Les exigences et les tests sont fixés par chaque institution.

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Le Canada est un pays de choix pour ceux qui envisagent de faire des études supérieures à l'international. L'enseignement y est reconnu pour sa qualité, la diversité des programmes offerts, sa réputation internationale, ses installations modernes et ses coûts abordables. La vie étudiante y est des plus dynamiques !

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étudiant étranger; permis d'étude; permis de travail

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Demeurer au Canada après l'obtention du diplôme - Canada.ca

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Demeurer au Canada après l'obtention du diplôme

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This article gives a short and pretty good synthesis of things to keep in mind regarding financial aid. Original document has extra links to related topics.

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I'm going to keep it short and sweet: Here's what international students need to know about financial aid at American colleges!
1. Understand that there is little financial aid available for international students.
Most grants, scholarships, and loans available are specifically targeted towards US citizens. This can certainly be discouraging, but it's true. As soon as you understand and come to terms with this, your search for funding will become a little bit easier. However, this does NOT make getting financial assistance impossible. It's definitely hard, and you're going to have to do a lot of research, but it's doable. There are several resources available if you look hard enough.
2. Keep in mind that international students have different requirements for admission regarding finances.
Many schools require a certification of finances of some sort that proves that you will be able to fund your education. Some schools will not even consider you for admission until you prove that you can pay for your education. Because of this, it's super important that you start researching financial aid and funding options early. In order to get your I-20 Form (Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant (F-1) Student Status-For Academic and Language Students), you will need to submit proof (usually a bank statement or scholarship information) of funding for a year.

For example, when I applied to college I had to submit a certification of finances as proof that I would be able to fund my first year of school (this is especially nerve-wracking because, unfortunately, most of us don't have a year's worth of college tuition sitting in our bank account). Afterwards, I was accepted and I applied for the scholarship I now have. Every school does things differently, so research, research, research!
3. Consider looking for funding options within your own country.
Many countries offer assistance to students looking to study in the United States. Some governments offer scholarships or some sort of financial assistance to qualifying students. This will definitely vary according to your country, and the process of applying can be as worrisome as applying to college itself, so do your research and be prepared.

This option did not really interest me because the way it works in Panama is that after you are done with college, you have to come home, and the governmental institution can even require you to work in a specific place. I have no idea what I want to do after college yet, and while I love my country with all my heart, there's so much world to see, and I didn't want to feel like I was limiting my options for life after graduation. You may be in a similar situation, and that's totally fine, but still if this option is available for you, you should definitely consider and look into it.
4. Some schools offer need-blind and full-need admission to international students.
This means that the school admits students regardless of their ability to pay, and for those students that cannot afford the price tag, the school will award scholarships and grants to cover the difference. These schools are MIT, Harvard University, Princeton University, Yale University, Dartmouth College, and Amherst College.

However, these are not the only schools that provide financial assistance to international students. According to U.S. News, 345 U.S. colleges offered aid to at least 50 undergraduate international students for the 2012-2013 school year. University of Chicago, Williams College, Yale University, Skidmore College, Harvard University, Amherst College, Wesleyan University, Stanford University, Trinity College, and Dartmouth College are the 10 colleges that offered the most financial aid to international undergraduate students during the 2012-2013 school year.

However, it's important to note that, for example, the University of Chicago only offered assistance to 57 undergraduate international students, less than 11% of all undergraduate international students. These are all things to take into consideration while looking at colleges and universities.
5. Research, research, research!
Some colleges offer a lot of financial aid for students, while others only have a limited amount to offer. Some colleges offer merit scholarships, while others only offer need-based assistance. Some scholarships are offered to students of specific countries or regions, and some scholarships are offered to students majoring in a particular area. It varies greatly from college to college, so it really is in your best interest to do a lot of research. Check online sources, look for information in the admissions section of the college's website, call, and email as needed.
6. Some helpful sources to check out: International Scholarships Education USA An International Student's Guide to U.S. Scholarships What Financial Aid Is Available for International Students? International Student

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6 Things International Students Need to Know about Financial Aid at U.S. Colleges and Universities

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I'm going to keep it short and sweet: Here's what international students need to know about financial aid at American colleges! 1. Understand that there is little financial aid available for international students. Most grants, scholarships, and loans available are specifically targeted towards US citizens. This can certainly be discouraging, but it's true.

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Comprehensive source document on financial Aid for undergraduate foreign students. Original document has extra links to other websites on related questions

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Comprehensive source document on financial Aid for undergraduate foreign students. Original document has extra links to other websites on related questions

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This resource provides information primarily for students with nonimmigrant visas (F-1, J-1, etc.). Information for permanent residents of the United States is also included. See the glossary of key financial aid terms (52kb ) if you are unfamiliar with any definitions.

The Institute for International Education (IIE) reports in Open Doors 2005 that of the paid tuition and fees to attend a U.S. undergraduate institution in the 2004-05 academic year, 80.9 percent of payments came from personal and family sources.

Minimal scholarship aid is available to international students, and most of it is reserved for graduate study. Generally, U.S. institutions offer little, if any, discount on tuition, although both private and public institutions may waive application fees in some situations.

EduPASS (The Smart Student Guide for Studying in the USA) also offers a comprehensive glossary of terms relevant to student financial aid.

Funding Factors to Consider: Calculating Cost of Attendance

The budgeted Cost of Attendance is a calculation of total cost by each institution that is used to determine a student's level of financial need. It is a total of tuition, mandatory fees, room, board (where applicable), and estimated cost of books and other living expenses (and sometimes travel) for students at the particular institution. Separate determinations can be made for students living at home or independently at the institution's discretion.

EduPASS provides a list of costs to include in your personal budget on top of tuition, housing, and meals.

Some specific costs to consider:

Application fees

Test/entrance exam fees (e.g., TOEFL)

Visa/SEVIS fees

Tuition and fees

Room and board (accommodation and food)

Books and supplies (including laptop, CDs, paper, etc.)

Travel to the United States

Travel within the United States

Health and medical insurance

Personal expenses during term-time for on-campus accommodation (including clothing, telephone charges, entertainment, and leisure); and personal expenses during term breaks for on-campus accommodation (including travel, food, extra housing fees, telephone charges, entertainment, and leisure)

Note: Types of expenses will change according to housing allocation. If you plan to live in private, off-campus housing, you should also expect to pay electricity, heating, water, and other utility expenses.

Geographic location will impact your expenses as a result of differing costs of living. There are a number of cost-of-living calculators available on the Internet. These calculators can help you compare costs between two U.S. cities.

You may want to create a budget worksheet for yourself to keep track of those expenses you already know about. Download a generic sample budget worksheet (19kb ) to track each of your expenses. Consult with your university to take advantage of any available supplements or fee waivers.

While there are not many ways to reduce the education costs for undergraduate international students, the following suggestions may be helpful:

If you have taken International Baccalaureate (IB) or Advanced Placement (AP) courses, have these credentials evaluated to see if some of the credit can be applied to reduce time to graduation.

Pursue on-campus employment such as serving as a resident assistant (RA) after your first year of study.

Begin your U.S. studies at a community college, and then transfer credit from your two-year school to a four-year institution.

Funding Sources: Institutional Aid

Some public and private universities offer financial incentives for students to attend their institution. Most of the institutional aid available to international students is reserved for graduate study in the form of assistantships and fellowships. Because it is uncommon for U.S. institutions to offer aid to undergraduate international students, such scholarships are often quite competitive. Remember that both private and public institutions may waive application fees in some situations; be sure to consult with your university to take advantage of any supplements or waivers they may offer.

Merit-based scholarships are granted on the basis of special skills, talents, or abilities. Your university may have scholarships based on TOEFL scores, academic record, artistic ability, musical ability, or athletic ability. Merit-based scholarships are usually very competitive. To be considered, you will need to demonstrate exceptional ability in the area required.

Need-based scholarships are awarded based on financial need. Those students who can demonstrate need at a predetermined level are eligible for this type of aid.

Academic departments within the university may have funds allocated to assist international students with exceptional need and/or talent. Consult with your university and/or your major department to take advantage of any special funding opportunities they offer.

Funding Sources: Scholarships and Grants

Many scholarships for undergraduate study are available only to U.S. citizens and permanent residents. However, there are free scholarship databases as well as private, corporate, nonprofit, and government scholarship funds that serve undergraduate international students.

Some scholarship databases charge fees to users, and other databases provide their services at no cost. In general, the same information is available from both types of database services, so it is not necessary to pay any fee. Ask in advance, and choose the database service that is free of charge. Be especially aware of dishonest scholarship offers: do not send money, bank account numbers, or credit card numbers to any organization that promises a scholarship in return. If you doubt the truthfulness of any scholarship source, consult with the admissions office or the international student office at the university to which you are applying.

The U.S. Department of Education and EduPASS offer tips and resources to protect students from dishonest organizations.

Funding Sources: Web Sites with Multiple Scholarship Resources

Funding Sources: Private Loans

Though rare, there are international student loans available to individuals who meet certain criteria. Many loans require a cosigner. A cosigner is someone who guarantees and is responsible for payment to the loaning institution if for any reason you are unable to pay back the loan. A variety of organizations and institutions provide private loans to international students. Many provide assistance that is targeted to students from specific regions or countries and who meet certain criteria.

Interest-Free Loans

The Organization of American States, an international organization based in Washington, DC, (1889 F St. NW #619, Washington, DC 20006) offers, through the Rowe Fund program, interest-free loans to competent students from Latin American and Caribbean countries to help them finance their graduate, postgraduate, and final two years of undergraduate studies at accredited universities within the United States. For more information and to download the forms, see www.oas.org/rowe or e-mail the Rowe Fund Program at rowefund@oas.org.

Funding Sources: Personal Resources

Family Contribution and Personal Income

According to Open Doors 2005, undergraduate international students must still rely heavily on their own personal and family sources of funding.

Employment Opportunities

Nonimmigrant students are not eligible to be employed in federal work-study positions, and federal regulations governing the F, M, and J nonimmigrant categories strictly limit both the kind and the amount of other kinds of work that students can do in the United States. Working without authorization in the United States is a serious matter and is considered a violation of immigration status.

The rules concerning nonimmigrant student employment are complex, and you should thoroughly discuss questions about eligibility for any kind of employment with the International Student Adviser on your campus before accepting any work. It is also important to understand that working on or off campus, even if it is permitted, cannot be your sole source of funding. Most jobs will provide spending money for personal expenditures at best.

Tax Credit Information

Many of the financial resources available to undergraduate international students are deemed taxable. In some cases, international students may be exempt from paying taxes on certain forms of financial aid. These exemptions depend on visa type, duration of time in the United States, and the type of financial aid award.

If your home country maintains a tax treaty with the United States, you may qualify for a full refund of any taxes withheld from your financial aid award. You must file a Non-Resident tax return (1040NR) with a letter indicating that your home country holds a tax treaty with the United States. Consult with the International Student Adviser or tax office on campus to learn more.

According to EduPASS, undergraduate international students are more likely to gain tax exemption if their financial aid is designated as an educational award rather than a work-related award.

Information for Permanent Residents: Citizenship Status

U.S. citizens and nationals, lawful permanent residents, and refugees and asylees qualify for federal financial aid in the form of loans, grants, or work-study opportunities. There are a few additional categories that may qualify as well. As a general rule, students in a nonimmigrant category are not eligible for such aid. The U.S. Department of Education publishes a handbook with information for financial aid professionals; chapter 2 (366kb ) addresses eligibility for international students and includes fairly detailed descriptions of the statuses that do and do not qualify for federal financial aid.

If you are a permanent resident, you can apply for federal financial aid by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). As a permanent resident, you may qualify for federal and state government aid, including the Stafford Loan, Perkins Loan, PLUS Loan, Pell Grant, SEOG Grant, or Federal Work-Study. The FAFSA form also helps colleges and universities determine whether a student qualifies for institutional aid.

Additional Web Site Resources

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Financial Aid for Undergraduate International Students

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This resource provides information primarily for students with nonimmigrant visas (F-1, J-1, etc.). Information for permanent residents of the United States is also included. See the glossary of key financial aid terms (52kb ) if you are unfamiliar with any definitions.

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