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International Troubles

rosebud11450rosebud11450 Registered User Posts: 12 New Member
in McGill University
Hello everyone! I have a bit of a unique conundrum. I am planning on applying to McGill for fall 2015, and by my scores, I ought to be accepted. The only real thing left is to take my SATII's. My problem is that I am currently 15, and will only be 16 when I graduate/begin school again. A lot of the research I've found says that if you are under 18 you need to be either emancipated (eek!) or have an adult that is willing to take custody of you. I'm hoping someone will have some advice? I really don't know what to do!

Also a secondary question: I have heard that you must be able to show you can pay for your education before your visa is cleared. Is financial aid factored into this? According to their website, FAFSA does apply towards McGill, although you can only get loans, not grants and the like. Would that money count towards the visa requirement?

Thanks so much for your help! - HopeRose
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Replies to: International Troubles

  • upapilotupapilot Registered User Posts: 178 Junior Member
    Hello! 15-16 is quite young to start university. Most people start at around 17-19. What kind of schooling have completed? Apart from the SATs, you also need to have done 10+2/11+1 or an equivalent amount of schooling to be eligible to apply at McGill.

    If you are coming to Montreal alone and are under-age, McGill has a Custodianship system. After you get accepted, you must write to the Dean of Students (there's a form available on their website) asking him to act as your guardian until you turn 18. Once you get the custodianship letter from the dean, you can then apply for the CAQ/Visa (make sure you include the letter in your application).

    To show financial capacity, you need to provide proof of available funds (this can include your bank statements, scholarship letters, loans, bursary letters etc). All the money, including that from financial aid, will count towards the visa requirement.

    McGill also offers "US Direct Loans" and "McGill Loans" for its students that you might want to take a look at.

    McGill Custodianship Form: http://www.mcgill.ca/internationalstudents/minors
    McGill Scholarships and Financial Aid: http://www.mcgill.ca/studentaid/scholarships-aid
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  • rosebud11450rosebud11450 Registered User Posts: 12 New Member
    I'm an upcoming senior, class of '15. My high school years have continued uninterrupted. I completed 7th and 8th grade in one year, and my elementary school had a birthday cutoff of Dec 1st. I was lucky enough to be born Nov 28th. I had no idea about the custodianship program, so that is absolutely excellent news. It was my biggest worry. I'd rather not divorce my parents at 16! It's also good to hear that financial aid does apply. My family is very low-income, so hoarding enough for that would be incredibly difficult.

    One last question: if you want to participate in a work-study job at McGill, do you need to have a work/education visa? Or is that covered under 'university business' or something of the sort?

    Thank you so much for your help!
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  • upapilotupapilot Registered User Posts: 178 Junior Member
    edited August 2014
    No, you do not need a work-visa to participate in the Work-Study program. New Canadian Visa rules now allow students to work part-time during school-term anywhere in the country and full-time during the summer breaks with just a Study Permit.
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  • rosebud11450rosebud11450 Registered User Posts: 12 New Member
    Once again, thank you so much. The McGill website feels like a maze sometimes, so you've been a great help. :D
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