Tuition fee exemption programs

Who is eligible for scholarships under the Université Laval Supplemental Tuition Fee Exemption Program?

This program is intended for international students (excluding Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada).

Do I have to be enrolled full-time to qualify for the exemption scholarship?

Yes. You must be enrolled full-time in a regular doctoral program.

For how many semesters am I entitled to the exemption scholarship?

• First 8 semesters of enrolment in your doctoral program

OR

• Until you complete the number of credits in your doctoral program (90 or 96 billed credits)

Once you reach either of these limits, you are no longer eligible for the Supplemental Tuition Fee Exemption Program.

What are the exclusions?

The exemption does not apply in the following situations:

• You currently or subsequently receive a supplemental tuition fee exemption under an agreement between the Government of Québec and your home country
• You receive a scholarship from an organization that pays your supplemental tuition fees
• You have “permanent resident” status in Canada
• You are a Canadian citizen
• You are enrolled part-time in a doctoral program
• You are enrolled in activities for which the exemption has already been granted
• You are enrolled in the Ongoing research program (in French)
• You are enrolled in extracurricular activities not contributing to the doctorate or as an auditor
• You are enrolled in distance learning
• You have completed the first 8 semesters of full-time enrolment in a doctoral program (change of program included).
• You have completed the maximum 90 or 96 credits in your doctoral program
• You have changed your level of study
• You are an international student already exempted from supplemental tuition fees under MES policy:
  • Refugees
  • French citizens
  • Citizens of the French Community of Belgium
  • Diplomatic personnel
  • And others
• You are taking French courses exempted by MES

What is the procedure for renewing a scholarship?

The Student Awards and Financial Aid Office sends students an email in April explaining how to renew scholarships.

Will I automatically be enrolled in the Supplemental Tuition Fee Exemption Program?

No. You have to complete the application form and provide any required documents.

How do I submit my initial application?

1. 1. Be admitted to a full-time doctoral program.
   2. Check whether your home country has an agreement with Québec. If so, you must apply for an exemption from your home country. Proof of this application will be required when you complete our form.
   3. 3. Complete the online form.

When do I need to submit my exemption application?

Supplemental Tuition Fee Exemption Program application forms must be completed and submitted by the end of the current semester:

• Summer semester: August 31
• Fall semester: December 31
• Winter semester: April 30

Any applications that are incomplete or received after the deadline will be denied. To avoid processing delays and late fees, be sure to complete the application early in the semester.

When will the scholarship be applied to my bill?

The scholarship will be applied after the deadline for withdrawing from courses with a refund. Your bill will then be adjusted and available on monPortail. However, the PDF bill you initially received will remain unchanged.

If changes are made to my file, do I have to notify anyone?

Yes, it is your responsibility to contact BBAF (exemption@bbaf.ulaval.ca) as soon as possible regarding any change in your status (withdrawal, scholarship from your country, etc.).

If, when I am accepted, I am asked to complete complementary studies or upgrading before my regular doctoral program begins, will I eligible for the exemption scholarship?

Yes, provided the preliminary, complementary, or skills upgrading courses do not exceed 6 additional credits. Moreover, these courses must be included in your student progress report. They will be counted as part of the first 8 semesters of full-time enrolment and count toward the maximum amount of authorized credits. Additional courses or credits are payable by the student at the higher rate.

BBAF reserves the right to withhold exemption for activities that would not be recognized on your student progress report or that would not be considered part of your normal program of study.

What impact will a program change have on my exemption scholarship?

Program changes are allowed, but they will have an impact on the number of credits exempted. Credits already exempted will count toward the total number of credits allowed, i.e., the first 8 semesters of full-time enrolment or until the total credits in the new regular program (90 or 96 credits, depending on the doctoral program) have been completed.

I’ve reached the exemption program credit limit. What are my options?

If your case is exceptional, you can ask for a review. For more information, please contact BBAF at exemption@bbaf.ulaval.ca.

Will I receive an income tax receipt?

Each semester, the Ministère de l’enseignement supérieur-Ministry of Higher Education (MES) allows Université Laval to offer foreign students registered in one of its second or third cycle programs, a number of predetermined exemption bursaries for international tuition fees. Université Laval has decided to bonify the exemption bursary program for foreign students registered in PhD programs.

Therefore, each semester, it is possible that your exemption is included in the limit as set by the ministry of higher education (MES) or, if that limit has been reached, you could be included in the bonification part of that program as set by Université Laval.

The only difference is as follows:

The bursaries offered as part of the bonification by Université Laval are considered as academic bursaries and applied directly on your tuition fees.

Therefore for the semesters in which your exemption bursary is part of the bonification by Université Laval, an income tax receipt will be sent to you.