Questions about financial stability?

Applying to College
1

<p>Hi,</p>

<p>For quite some time I have been wanting to move to Canada, and now that I am almost finished with high school, I may be able to. Next month after my finals I will be able to apply to a college (Holland College, on Prince Edward Island) to study journalism. I've been frustrated these last few weeks in regards to financial aid and the assistance I would get should I get accepted into a college in Canada.</p>

<p>Okay, so maybe I'm a bit naive in thinking that this could possible ever work. With the US federal aid I'd be able to receive, my tuition is covered, basically. But one thing that is bothering me is how much I would be able to have in order to find housing.</p>

<p>With the financial aid, as I said above, I'd only being able to pay for tuition and fees. The housing option is not available to me at this point (expenses, availability, etc.). I've looked into roommates and things and think I could get away with $400 a month for what I would need. Food really won't be a problem--I'm really only concerned about my college expenses and housing at this point.</p>

<p>So, to cut a long story down (too late, eh?)...</p>

<p><b>Are there any ways for a 19 year old to make money in a new country?</b>
Working on campus could help if they're hiring. I understand that since I will be studying full-time, I could work on campus without the need of a work permit (since I don't think I could get one without not studying?). But I'm talking about small jobs, to be more resourceful. </p>

<p><b>What jobs could I get in Canada without having to have a work permit?</b>
I've contemplated pet sitting, selling on Etsy, taking online surveys (scams!), and other little odd jobs. Is that all?</p>

<p>I'm really sorry if I am posting this in the wrong forum. I refuse to post on Yahoo! Answers--they aren't too nice. (I've contacted the school by phone, but I am somewhat shy, so if this doesn't go down well here, I'll be calling back, haha.) Also, forgive me for being so naive. I hope I don't sound stupid. I really don't want to waltz across the border without the answers.</p>

2

<p>Working without a visa is illegal, and likely to result in your deportation if you are discovered. Are you sure canadian student visas don’t allow any sort of work?</p>

3

<p>I had to look it up again. I knew that to study abroad with a study permit I would be able to work ON campus without having to apply for a work visa. But…apparently there are student work programs. :P</p>

4

<p>Also be careful because in order to study abroad, I’m pretty sure you will have to prove that you and your parents have enough money in the bank and in assets to ensure a certain number of years of study. If you don’t have the resources to pay for the entire cost, they may not let you even begin studying.</p>

5

<p>Purpleacorn;; if I have already gotten approved for financial aid, would that be enough to begin studying? Because, being in a new country, I won’t be able to get a job right away. Here in the States, I have a job (of sorts, but it pays well!) and once my survivor’s benefit check runs out in March, I will be able to get another job that could help me pay for rent. I wouldn’t need a permit to sell on Etsy, right?</p>

6

<p>From the Canadian government’s website:</p>

<p>

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<p>From how I am reading it, it seems that if you have gotten aid for tuition, your study permit would still not be granted unless you have enough money in the bank before you leave the US. You can work and pay for incidentals, but you have to have enough for rent/basic food/plane ticket home in order to be allowed to begin studying-- it is the same process for international students coming to the US. What they don’t want to happen is for you to not be able to find a job in Canada and have to live off of Canadian resources. I don’t have any personal experience with this, but reading through the qualifications, it doesn’t look like you’d be able to rely on Canadian work to support yourself. I would call a school’s international offices and check with them.</p>

7

<p>Transportation shouldn’t be too much a problem, since the car rental (with deal) is only about $30. Everything else could use some work. Thank you for replying–some levelheadedness, haha. I am, as I said earlier, hoping to get another job in March. I could attend later this year/early next year, I believe, which would probably be so much better. Does the site note how much is needed? I believe I read somewhere is like 10k, but with a year’s work at minimum wage, I’d have about 7k. I’m not sure about that, so I can’t be quoted for it. Thanks a million again!</p>

8

<p>You mentioned a specific college you’d like to apply to. This is not the time to be shy. Call them/email them/read through their material. You are definitely not the first person to go through this, and there’s no need to reinvent the wheel by figuring out how to logically go about this on your own.</p>