Image Credit: CFJC News

By Sydney Chisholm

international students

Ottawa’s increased income requirement meant to better prepare international students: TRU official

Jan 18, 2024 | 6:30 PM

KAMLOOPS – To become an international student in Canada, the federal government requires applicants to show proof of funds in a Canadian bank account.

Prior to Jan. 1, students needed $10,000 in addition to tuition. Now, that amount has more than doubled. The federal government is requiring individuals to have more than $20,000 in a Canadian bank account before the semester starts.

“In the past, I think our system has not been proactively communicating with the students — from the government level — the actual cost of living in Canada,” explained ZiPing Feng, director of international marketing and recruitment for Thompson Rivers University. “Many students arrive to Canada thinking they have $10,000 prepared. That would be enough for their study and living for probably a 12-month period of time, but then (they) realized that’s not enough because things have been more expensive.”

On average, international students pay nearly $40,000 a year to attend post-secondary institutions in Canada.

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Each year, Thompson Rivers University teaches around 4,600 international students, many of whom were surprised by the high cost of living.

“Keep in mind the inflation, the rising costs of accommodation, groceries – I mean groceries are expensive,” TRU international student Yash Kaushik told CFJC News. “Last time I went to Costco and spent like $500 for the three people that we share, that’s still a lot. “

Feng says frequently, international students reach out to the university, expressing financial challenges.

International students can work part-time, but it often isn’t enough to fully support them. That’s why it is important they have money saved.

“It did provide me a lot of financial support, which I needed because when times were tough and I did not have hours on my part-time job or I needed some extra cash,” said Kaushik. “That was something which was really helpful and was something which I really feel like it’s a really good thing, to be honest.”

There is some concern the policy changes may deter people from coming to Canada, but Peng sees it as a gateway to more successful students.

“Study abroad is probably the best investment you can give yourself for your future development,” he said. “It’s still better for them to be better prepared so they can arrive and feel secure and be very successful in their academic journey.”