Ontario Prioritizes Public Colleges, Universities in New Study Permit Distribution Plan
Ontario Refines International Study Permit Distribution, Focusing on Public Institutions
In Ontario, an imminent announcement by the provincial government will delineate the allocation of international study permits among post-secondary educational facilities for the year 2024. Out of a total of 235,000 study permits assigned to Ontario’s post-secondary sector, a sweeping 96 percent is to be reserved for public colleges and universities. The scant remainder — a mere four percent — is allocated to private universities, language schools, and comparable institutions, with private career colleges receiving zero allotment.
A Strategic Approach to Study Permit Allocation
The Ontario government’s strategy in distributing study permits is particularly intentional, targeting programs which produce graduates primed for sectors with a robust job demand. Fields marked as high-priority include:
– Child Care
– Health Care
– Hospitality
– Human Resources
– Skilled Trades
– STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math)
Fine-tuning the allocation further, the government has stipulated that post-secondary institutions cannot exceed their 2023 permit numbers in their 2024 applications. Furthermore, the number of first-year international students wielding a study permit must stay below 55 percent of domestic enrolment figures, excluding those enrolled in aforementioned high-demand areas. Notably, the majority of public universities will maintain their 2023 permit levels, while the scenario differs for public colleges: of them, 11 will retain their previous year’s permit numbers and 13 will face a reduction.
Passed on Wednesday, March 27, these measures are designed to align international student influx with labor market needs and post-secondary capacity.
Provincial Attestation Letter and Student Support Services
Alongside permit allocations, the Ontario government is advancing the attestation letter process — a decisive step for international students aspiring to study in the province. Applicants are advised to connect with their chosen institution’s admission office to obtain this attestation letter. Additional details are accessible through the ministry’s website.
To bolster the support for incoming international scholars, efforts are underway to furnish ample housing in collaboration with public colleges and universities. Seeing that housing projects tend to span over extended periods, students are recommended to investigate their housing options with a fine-tooth comb when selecting their educational path in Ontario.
Given the paramount importance of mental health during the academic journey, it is noteworthy that the provincial government has disclosed an investment of over C$32 million earmarked for mental health services for students across Ontario.
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