Tuition fee exemption scholarships

Ministère de l’Enseignement supérieur (MES) requires international students enrolled at Québec educational institutions to pay a supplemental amount of tuition fees.

 

Here’s a breakdown of what international students pay:*

  1. General fees paid by all students
  2. Supplemental tuition fees required by MES, in accordance with its policy on tuition fees for international students enrolled at Québec universities (Politique relative aux droits de scolarité exigés des étudiants étrangers par les universités du Québec [in French]).

*This picture represents an example of tuition fees and may vary depending on your cycle and the number of credits you are registered to.

 

Pay the same tuition as Québec students!

Various scholarship programs are available to reduce the supplemental tuition required by MES:

Here’s a quick reference to help you pick the right one for you.

You have questions and cannot find the information you are looking for? Contact us by email at: exemption@bbaf.ulaval.ca.

Université Laval Supplemental Tuition Fee Exemption Scholarships for Doctoral Students

Please note that changes to the Supplemental Tuition Exemption Scholarships may be made without prior notice throughout the year. Visit our website regularly for the latest updates.

Université Laval offers a Supplemental Tuition Fee Exemption Scholarships for international doctoral students. This program gives international students scholarships that bring their tuition fees down to the amount paid by Québec students.

  Eligibility criteria You must:    Exemption scholarship duration
    • Be an international student
    • Be admitted into a regular doctoral program (90 or 96 credits)
    • Be enrolled full-time (or have an “attestation d’études à temps plein”)
    • Have a study permit that complies with Canadian immigration regulations upon your arrival at Université Laval and study in Quebec
  • 8 semesters of enrolment in your doctoral program

OR

  • Until you complete the number of credits in your doctoral program

 

How to apply

First, read the eligibility criteria listed above.

 

Submitting your initial application

  1. Make sure you have the financial resources necessary to support yourself for the full duration of your studies.
  2. Check whether your home country has an agreement with Québec.
    1. If so, you need to apply to your home country for an exemption. Proof of this application will be required when you complete our form.
    2. If not, no such proof is required.
  3. Complete the online form.

 

How to renew your scholarship

Every year in April, the Student Awards and Financial Aid Office (BBAF) sends recipients of the Supplemental Tuition Fee Exemption Scholarships an email explaining the scholarship renewal procedure.

Students who get exemptions from their home country must submit an application with their government each year.

 

Application deadline

To avoid processing delays and late fees, applications should be submitted before the deadline. You are responsible for making sure your application is in order as soon as possible. Exemptions will not be applied retroactively.

 

For more information, read the fact sheet or the FAQ below.

 

Frequently asked questions

Before your studies

    1. Who is eligible for a Université Laval Supplemental Tuition Fee Exemption Scholarship?
      This scholarship is intended for international students who hold a valid study permit (excluding Canadian citizens and permanent residents).

 

    1. Am I automatically eligible for a Supplemental Tuition Fee Exemption Scholarship?
      No. Once your admission has been confirmed, you have to fill out the application form and provide any other documents required.

 

    1. How do I submit my initial application?
        • First, you must have accepted an offer of admission to a full-time doctoral program.
        • Check whether your country has an agreement with Québec. If so, you must apply for an exemption scholarship from your home country. Proof of this application will be needed when you fill out our form.
        • Fill out the online form.

 

    1. When do I need to submit my exemption scholarship application?
      Application forms for Supplemental Tuition Fee Exemption Scholarship must be filled out 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, fill out the form as soon as you are admitted, ideally before the start of the semester.

 

    1. I have not been able to complete the immigration process in time for the start of my semester. Can I start my program remotely and still benefit from the exemption scholarship?
      No. Students must hold a valid study permit and be studying in Québec to be eligible, without exception. You should consider deferring your admission if you are not sure you will obtain your study permit in time. Otherwise, you will be required to pay the full tuition fee, including the supplemental fees for international students, to register for the next semester.

 

    1. 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 8 semesters of full-time enrollment and count towards the maximum number of authorized credits. You must pay for any further courses or credits 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.

 

  1. As part of the immigration process, the authorities are asking me to provide a supporting document to prove that the supplemental tuition fees are covered. Where can I get such a document?
    To obtain a letter that confirms your eligibility for the Université Laval Supplemental Tuition Fee Exemption Scholarship, you must email a request to exemption@bbaf.ulaval.ca. The official document will be sent to you within 2 weeks.

 

During your studies

    1. Do I have to be enrolled full time to qualify for the exemption scholarships?
      Yes. You must be enrolled full-time in a regular doctoral program. Given that enrollment for the summer semester is not compulsory, the exemption can be carried over to the following semester without being counted towards your eligibility.

 

    1. For how many semesters am I entitled to the exemption scholarship?
        • For the 8 semesters of your doctoral program
          OR

        • Until you reach the credit limit for your doctoral program (90 or 96 billed credits)

        Once you have reached the credit limit for your program, you are no longer eligible for the Supplemental Tuition Fee Exemption Scholarship.

       

    2. What are the exclusions?You are NOT eligible if:
        • You currently or subsequently receive a supplemental tuition fee exemption under an agreement between the Government of Québec and their home country
        • You receive a scholarship from an organization that pays your supplemental tuition fees
        • You are a Canadian citizen or permanent resident
        • You are enrolled part-time in a doctoral program
        • You are enrolled in activities for which a Supplemental Tuition Fee Exemption Scholarship has already been granted
        • You are enrolled in the Continuing Research activity
        • You are enrolled as an auditor or in educational activities at another institution that do not contribute to your doctorate
        • You are enrolled in distance learning
        • You have completed the maximum of 90 or 96 credits in your doctoral program
        • You are changing your level of study
        • You are an international student already exempted from supplemental tuition fees under MES policy, such as:
        • You are enrolled in an automatically exempt course:

          These courses do not count towards your credit limit.

       

    3. When will the scholarship be applied to my bill?
      It is normal for the exemption scholarship to not appear on your preliminary bill at the beginning of the semester. The exemption will be applied after the deadline for withdrawing from courses with a refund. After the deadline, the adjusted bill will be available on monPortail in the Finances – Factures et impôts, (finances – invoices and taxes) section, under the Détail du compte sommaire (summary account details) tab. However, the PDF bill you initially received will remain unchanged.

 

    1. At the start of the semester, I noticed that my supplemental tuition fees have not been deducted or have only been partially deducted from my invoice. Why is that and what should I do?
      First of all, it is normal for the exemption scholarship to not appear on your preliminary invoice at the beginning of the semester. The exemption will be applied after the deadline for course withdrawal with refund. If your invoice remains unchanged after that date, please contact us to review your file.
      Here are a few of the reasons that may explain why the scholarship was not applied:

          • Failure to file your study permit in monPortail
          • Part-time studies
          • Courses that do not contribute to your program
          • Exemption scholarship limit exceeded
          • Etc.

      We always recommend paying the regular fees (without considering the supplemental tuition fees that should eventually be covered by the exemption scholarship) to avoid penalty fees for failure to pay on time.

 

    1. When and how do I need to renew the scholarship?
      The Student Awards and Financial Aid Office sends students an email in April. They will explain the renewal procedure to follow for your situation.

 

    1. If changes are made to my file, do I have to notify anyone?
      Yes. It is your responsibility to contact the BBAF (exemption@bbaf.ulaval.ca) as soon as possible regarding any change in your status (withdrawal, scholarship from your country, etc.).

 

  1. What impact will a program change have on my exemption scholarship?
    Program changes are allowed, but they will affect the number of credits exempted. The credits that have already been exempted will be counted towards the total number of credits allowed, i.e., the first 8 semesters of full-time enrollment or until the total credits in the new regular program (90 or 96, depending on the doctoral program) have been completed. Before making the change, please let us know so that we can determine whether the scholarship can be awarded for your new program and if so, how.

 

After your studies

    1. What happens when I complete all of the research credits required for my program of study?
      If you complete all of the research credits required for your program of study, you can enroll in Continuing Research, at a rate specific to that activity. The special rate only applies to research credits. Contact your program director for more information.

 

    1. I have reached the exemption scholarship credit limit for my program. What are my options?
      If your case is exceptional, you can ask for a review. For more information, please contact the BBAF at exemption@bbaf.ulaval.ca.

 

  1. Will I receive an income tax receipt?
    Every semester, the Ministère de l’Enseignement Supérieur (MES) allows Université Laval to offer a predetermined number of exemption scholarships to international students who are enrolled in its graduate programs. Université Laval has decided to supplement this exemption scholarships program for doctoral students.
    As such, you may receive the exemption as part of the Ministère de l’Enseignement Supérieur (MES) quota or, if the quota has been reached, you may receive the exemption from Université Laval directly. The source of the exemption may change from one semester to the next.
    There is only one difference in the way the two are processed:
    Scholarships provided by Université Laval directly are considered academic scholarships and applied directly to your tuition fees.
    Therefore, a tax statement will be issued for semesters where your exemption scholarship is provided by Université Laval.

Exemption scholarships available through agreements signed with MES

The program of exemptions scholarships available through agreements signed with Ministère de l’Enseignement supérieur (MES) is managed by MES. It allows international students to be exempted from supplemental tuition fees so they pay the same tuition as Québec students.

You must submit your application for exemption to officials in your home country. If you have already received an exemption, please follow all conditions of exemption to remain in good standing.

French and francophone Belgian students

Under a student mobility agreement among the governments of Québec, France and the French Community of Belgium, qualifying French and francophone Belgian students enrolled in a Cycle Three university program (Doctorate) are eligible to pay the same fees as Québec residents.

 

Students in other categories

How to apply

  1. Check whether your country has signed a cooperation agreement or bilateral accord with Québec.
  2. Contact the authority in your country of citizenship or at the international organization that manages exemptions for information on selection criteria and to get your application form.
  3. Send your letter of admission or proof of registration from your university and the application form (Appendix II) to the organization responsible for managing exemptions in your country.
  4. The designated authorities in your country are required to send exemption applications to MES. Your country is responsible for selecting applicants. Applications sent by students directly to Ministère de l’Enseignement supérieur du Québec (MES) will not be processed.
  5. Wait for a reply from the relevant organization in your home country to find out whether your application has been approved or denied.
  6. Obtain the required authorizations to do a training course of more than six months in Quebec.
Does the immigration process for new students seem complicated? Watch the video clips from the Registrar’s Office!

Other exemption scholarships

Under certain conditions, some international students may be exempt from lump sum payments.

For details, see the Université Laval International students (in French) page.