Frequently Asked Questions - Students

•  Are children of temporary residents permitted to attend school in Ontario?

Children accompanying a biological/adoptive parent who is a temporary resident in the visitor class are not authorized to study without a study permit.  Application for a study permit must be made from outside Canada.  International student fees will apply.

• What is the deadline for submitting an application?
  

The deadline for submitting an application for Semester 1 (September 1, 2009 until January 31, 2010) is May 1, 2009.  The deadline for submitting an application for Semester 2 (February 1, 2010 until June 30, 2010) is November 13, 2009.

• Must all International students have a study permit?

The Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board requires that all international students, with the exception of a student in Junior or Senior Kindergarten and Continuing Education courses, have a valid study permit.

•  How do students renew their study permit?

Students must apply to Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) to renew their study permits.  They can download the application from the CIC Web site at www.cic.gc.ca.  The completed applications must be sent to Vegreville, Alberta.  If a student leaves the country, he/she may not re-enter Canada without a valid study permit.

•  What happens if students do not renew their study permit?

A student may not be allowed to continue their studies as they are in violation of the terms under which they were accepted as a student and in addition, they are in violation of the conditions of the study permit.  If they leave Canada, they will be required to apply for a study permit from outside the country before being allowed to return to Canada.

• Do International students have to live with an adult?

Yes.  The Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (Canada) (IPRA) requires that all applicants for a study permit under the age of 18 appoint a Canadian citizen or permanent resident as “legal adult custodian with whom they will reside”.  It is a requirement of CIC that the custodian supply the applicant with a notarized statutory declaration stating that the student will live with him/her in his/her home.  All Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board international students under the age of 18 must live with an adult.

• What is the difference between court-ordered custody and a guardianship agreement?

Court-ordered custody is a determination made by the courts which gives the person with custody the same rights as the biological parent.  Custody is permanent and full-time. Guardian refers to a person other than a biological parent who has court-ordered custody of the child.

A “notarized custodian agreement” (prepared by a lawyer and not by the courts) gives someone, often a relative or friend, the responsibility for the education needs of the student while the student is here in Canada.  It is not equivalent to court-ordered custody.

• Do international students have to pay extra for evening and summer school classes?

Yes.  The cost for evening and summer school classes for the 2008/2009 school year is $1,400.00.  The cost for evening and summer school classes for the 2009/2010 school year is $1,625.00.

• Are Exchange Students required to report to the Admissions Office within the Assessment Centre?                                                                                                                                        
  Yes.  Exchange Students must report to the Admissions Office within the Assessment Centre will check the documentation of the Exchange Student and also provide the school with an English and Math assessment.  
  

• Is the Assessment Centre and the Admissions Office the same thing?

The Admissions Office is located in the Assessment Centre.  All fee-paying students must apply first through the Admissions Office. 

All newcomers to the Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board, whether fee paying or not,  must report to the Assessment Centre.  An assessment of English and Math for newcomers and fee paying students takes place at the Assessment Centre.

• What documents do I need to bring to the Admissions Office?

You will need to bring the following documents to the Admissions Office:  Passport, birth certificate, study permit, proof of immunization, proof of address and custody documents if they have not yet been provided to the Board.

• Do I need medical insurance?

All fee-paying international students must purchase medical insurance through the Admissions Office of the Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board.

• What is the difference between a landed immigrant and a permanent resident?

None.  The term “landed immigrant” was replaced by “permanent resident” when the new Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (Canada) (IPRA) came into force on June 28, 2002.

• What is the difference between a student authorization and a study permit?

None.  The new term “study permit” replaced the old term “student authorization” with the introduction of the new Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (Canada) (IPRA) in 2002.

• What are the social and behavioural expectations of students while in school?              

International fee-paying students must comply with the same policies and Student Code of Conduct all other students in the Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board.  In cases where there are serious problems, an International fee-paying student may be suspended/expelled and sent home.

• Does the Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board arrange homestay accommodation for International students who require a place to stay while in Canada?
  

Canada Homestay International will provide homestay for International students at the secondary school level.  Those students requiring homestay should contact Canada Homestay International directly.

• When does a fee paying student qualify for a refund?

The Hamilton-Wentworth district School Board has established a refund procedure and that procedure is contained in the application package for International students.  Those students who apply for evening and summer school courses are given a copy of the refund procedure at the time the tuition fees are paid.

Should you have additional questions, please direct them to the Admissions Office at (905) 527-5092, Ext. 2324.