FAQs

The Student Portal is the gateway to all services provided by Algoma University and the Continuing Education Centre.

To access the Student Portal, you will need a 9-digit identification number which you will receive after you are admitted to the Continuing Education Program and receive the Admission Offer Letter from us.

For now, on-campus housing in the dormitory and townhouses is available in Algoma's main campus in Sault Ste. Marie offered on a first-come-first-serve basis. Meanwhile, there are multiple off-campus residence opportunities in close proximity to each of Algoma's three campuses in Brampton, Sault Ste. Marie, and Timmins. For additional information on residential opportunities for continuing education learners, please check our Housing page.

A standard lease is an agreement with standard residential tenancy terms which must be signed by landlords and tenants entering leases in Ontario after April 30, 2018. Please check the Guide to Ontario's standard leases for more information and the latest version of the standard lease.

A rent receipt is a written document the landlord provides to the tenant. The rent receipt confirms the payment of rent, rent deposit, or any other payment made by a tenant to a landlord. For more information about rent receipts, please refer to the link here.

You can search for off-campus housing online on popular search websites, including Realtor.ca, Rentalboard.ca, TorontoRentals.com, and Kijiji. Please note that Algoma PACE and Algoma University do NOT assume or bear any responsibility for off-campus leases and agreements.

Landlords can ask tenants to provide a rent deposit, aka security deposit, in the amount of up to one month's rent. The landlord can use the rent deposit only as the rent payment for the last rental period. Landlords cannot use rental deposits for any other purposes, for example, to pay for damages to a unit. You can learn more about rental deposits in Ontario here.

Most education programs offered by Algoma Professional and Continuing Education Centre require a post-graduate degree from a recognized university. You can find specific admission requirements for each education program on the respective Program's page, which can be navigated through the Programs section.

All international learners who do not originate from countries recognized as having English as the primary language (aka exempt countries) need to prove their English-language proficiency. You can find the list of exempt countries, as well as the requirements for proof of English-language proficiency, on Our Application Process page.

For your application to be submitted, a non-refundable fee of $125 CAD is required for international applicants and $70 CAD for domestic applicants.

Algoma PACE Division offers multiple education programs in on-campus, blended, and remote formats. For exact details about the program of your interest, please navigate to the programs' page in the Programs section.

Algoma's Professional and Continuing Education programs are conducted across all three of Algoma's campuses in Brampton, Sault Ste. Marie, and Timmins. For the exact location of your chosen education program, please check the respective program's page in our Programs section.

Both domestic and international learners can pay by credit card through Student Portal under the Financial Section, selecting the Make Payment option. Algoma PACE accepts American Express, MasterCard, and Visa cards.

International learners also have the option to pay through Covera Global Pay (former Western Union). Please reach out to our Student Account Officer at 705.949.2301, ext. 4723 or email us at accounts@algomau.ca for additional details about this payment method.

Your tuition includes compulsory fees to cover costs associated with providing the education services, including the Student Centre Fee, Student Services Fees, Copyright Fees, AUSU Operations and Event Fees, and SASA Operations and Event fees.

Algoma's Continuing Centre charges Additional Fees and Service Fees which are applicable on a case-by-case basis if relevant to your education program or residential needs, for example, Studio Fee or Parking Fees. For a full description of Additional Fees and Service Fees, please visit the Additional Fees section on the Algoma University website.

International learners who were refused a Canadian visa or Study permit can request a refund of tuition and refundable fees from Algoma PACE by contacting Student Accounts at accounts@algomau.ca. You can only request a tuition refund if the request and/or the copy of the visa refusal letter are submitted on or after the 14th day of classes.

Algoma’s Continuing Education Centre has the same policy for refunds as Algoma University. For additional information about refunds, makes sure to check the Tuition and Fees page as well as the Refunds Page on the Algoma U website.

Algoma PACE does not send regular invoices for payment of tuition and fees. It is the responsibility of the learner to provide for timely payment of all due amounts. You can check your account balance and due fees anytime in your account on Student Portal.

With regard to your tuition deposit paid after admissions, you will be informed of the exact amount by the Acceptance Offer Letter.

International learners are required to purchase a mandatory government insurance plan created by Ontario's universities. Please check our Health Insurance and UHIP.ca website for more information about coverage provided through the basic insurance plan.

If you received an invoice from a healthcare provider or paid for medical service, you will need to submit a UHIP claim form. You can learn about the procedure for completing and submitting a UHIP claim form on the UHIP.ca website.

The University Health Insurance Plan (UHIP) is basic, providing only primary medical protection. Services which are NOT covered by UHIP include but are not limited to:

• immunization,
• dental services,
• eye exams, glasses, and contact lenses,
• prescription drugs,
• medical examinations and tests for immigration or required by third parties
• cosmetic surgery

International learners are advised to obtain a supplementary health plan to gain access to coverage for extended medical needs. Please check the information on Algoma's Student VIP Health Plan on our Health Insurance page.

You may need to have a paper copy of your UHIP insurance when visiting your medical provider. Since UHIP no longer prints or provides cards, you should print your own proof of UHIP coverage and Claim Forms.

International learners engaged in continuing education programs exceeding 6 months need a Study Permit. You will also need a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) or Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) to get into Canada. You only apply once for both the Study Permit and TRV/ETA.

If your education program is less than 6 months, you only apply for a Temporary Resident Visa or Electronic Travel Authorization. You can find additional information about Study Permits, TRV, and ETA on our Learner Visa Information page.

If your application for a Canadian Study Permit is approved, you will receive a Letter of Introduction, aka a port of entry letter. The visa office can also send you instructions on how and where to submit your passport to receive the Temporary Resident Visa.

When you travel to Canada, you will need to present your Letter of Introduction to the border security officer. The officer will use the permit reference number from the Letter of Introduction to issue your approved Study Permit at your point of entry.

You can only work in Canada if you have written authorization to work on your Study Permit. Working without such authorization is illegal and can lead to your inadmissibility and removal from Canada. You can find more details about working on/off campus on our International Learners page.

You can apply for a Study Permit and/or visa before you travel to Canada by creating an account on the Canada.ca website after you receive an Admission Offer Letter from the Algoma Continuing Education Centre. You can learn more about the process of applying for a Study Permit and visa on our Learner Visa Information page.

When you come to Canada, you need to have the following documents:

• valid travel documents
• letter of introduction from the visa office confirming your study permit
• copy of the letter of acceptance from Algoma PACE
• any other documents, for example, letters of reference, etc., as requested by the visa office
• valid Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) or a Temporary Visitor Visa (for U.S. residents — a green card or a U.S. passport)
• proof of financial support, for example, a bank statement for the last 4 months
• two passport-size photos

You can find more details about the documents to be presented when you apply for a Study Permit on the government website.