Travel & Customs
Guidelines for students from the U.S. about attending college in Canada
Candle lit walk on St. Thomas campus
Studying in another country requires a little extra preparation. However, because of the close relationship between the United States and Canada, it’s easy for American citizens to study north of the border. The information that follows will give you a general idea of what you need to know about studying in Canada and includes links to websites with more information. Our Admissions team is here to help you with any questions you might have, from passports to heath insurance, so:
• call the Admissions Office toll free at 1 877 788-4443, or
• email us at admissions@stu.ca .
Study Permits (Student Visa)
A student visa, called a Study Permit, is required in order to attend college outside of the United States.
As a citizen of the United States you do not have to obtain your Study Permit before you arrive in Canada. Instead, once you cross the border (whether by car or by airplane), your first stop will be the Port of Entry office, where you will submit your application and receive your Study Permit from a Canadian Border Services Agent (CBSA). Here is a link to more information and to download a Study Permit application form.
Passports and passports cards
Applying for a passport is simple, and having one is required. Your passport allows you to easily cross the border into Canada and to return home to the United States, whenever you want. Your passport will also come in handy if you ever decide to spend a semester abroad, or travel outside North America.
If you’ve never had a passport before (or if you were younger than age 16 when you applied before), you’ll need to apply in person. You can apply for a passport at your local Post Office and your Town Clerk’s Office. An application for a U.S. Passport (Form DS-11) is available here.
United States citizens may choose to apply for a passport card. A passport card is smaller and less expensive to obtain than a passport book. However, while a passport card will allow you to travel by land across the Canadian border, you cannot use it to fly between Canada and the United States. A passport card is only valid in North America.
Health insurance coverage
Canada has a universal, publicly funded healthcare system. As an American student, you will be enrolled in St. Thomas University’s health insurance plan for international students. There is no extra fee for enrolling in this plan as the costs associated with your health insurance are included in your student fees.
You are required to purchase supplemental health insurance from Blue Cross. You will not have to fill out any forms or apply for this coverage on your own. St. Thomas will make all the arrangements.
You can opt-out of these programmes as long as you provide proof of alternative insurance upon your arrival at St. Thomas. For more details click here .
Financing your education
The aid and loan application process will be exactly the same as if you were applying to a U.S. institution. However, in Canada we make scholarship and student loan decisions separately. We will not dictate to you the terms of your financial aid package. We will offer you any scholarships for which you are eligible, and, if necessary, will help facilitate your student loan applications.
File your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
U.S. citizens studying at St. Thomas are eligible to apply for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). To apply online, visit http://www.fafsa.ed.gov.
The FAFSA school code for St. Thomas University is G06682.
Both Stafford Loans for students and Parent PLUS Loans can be used to pay for your expenses at STU.
U.S. citizens studying at St. Thomas may also apply for loans from their home state.
Visit here for more information.
Apply for St. Thomas University scholarships
American students are eligible for most of St. Thomas University’s major renewable scholarships and for our guaranteed scholarships. Our top awards are highly competitive and we evaluate scholarship candidates based on their academic records, extracurricular involvement, strength of references, and the quality of their application letters.
We encourage you to contact our Admissions staff or visit here .
Crossing the border
In most cases, the border crossing process is straight-forward and quick. There are restrictions concerning the transport of firearms, alcohol, and tobacco across the Canadian border. For specific information, please see http://www.cbsa.gc.ca.
Set up a bank account
Once you arrive, you’ll want to set up a Canadian bank account to make it easier for you to manage your money while at school. Canada has several major banks, each offering a variety of services. The Bank of Montreal has a branch and ATM right on campus. There are several other banks - all within walking distance of campus. Major American credit cards from companies like Visa and MasterCard can be used in Canada just like in the U.S.
Student Work Permit (if necessary)
As a registered full-time student, you do not need a permit to work on campus. If you choose to work off-campus, you’ll need an off-campus work permit, which will allow you to work up to 20 hours a week during the school year, and 40 hours a week when school is not in session. After studying in Canada for at least six months, you’ll be eligible to apply for an off-campus work permit. Your work permit requires a fee and is valid for the duration of your stay at St. Thomas.
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Director of Recruitment
U.S. Recruitment Counselor
March 10th, 2010 @ 6:48 am
[...] Travel & Customs [...]