How to Apply to Ontario Colleges as a Canadian or International Student

A guide to OntarioColleges.ca to help you get your application in. The Equal Consideration deadline is February 1!

It's time to apply for college, and if you want to attend an Ontario school (and who could blame you?) that likely means you'll go through OntarioColleges.ca. Domestic applicants use the standard Ontario Colleges application, while international application procedures vary by institution.

If you're applying for a highly competitive program, be sure to get your application in by February 1, 2027. (You can learn whether your program is highly competitive using this OntarioColleges.ca program search tool. Click the link to see only the highly competitive programs.)

Preparing for your Ontario college application

The first step, of course, is research. Dedicate some time to finding information on schools and programs that will get you on the right path to the career you want. For Canadian students, SchoolFinder.com is a good way to compare programs and explore career pathways. You'll find thousands of programs at Ontario colleges that you can filter through! International students are invited to use StudyinCanada.com, a site designed specifically for non-Canadian students to learn more about studying here in Canada.

Do a little reading on application strategies if you're not sure what to expect. Ensuring you have the right prerequisite courses and grades in high school can be a big factor in admissions to certain programs.

Preparing your application on OntarioColleges.ca

Once you've decided on where you want to go, head over to OntarioColleges.ca to create an account. Fill out your profile and contact info, and add information on your current education: what high school(s) you attended, any other post-secondary education you've undergone, and so on.

Ontario college applications for Canadian students

If you're a Canadian applicant, add your program choices for the schools that interest you.

You can apply to up to five program choices across multiple schools, though you can only choose up to three programs at a given school. You could apply to five different schools, for one program at each, or divide your choices up as you like.

Enter your complete education history in the application and follow the transcript instructions provided for each institution you attended. Current Ontario high-school applicants generally have their academic information transmitted by their school or school board. Other applicants may need to request official transcripts through their Ontario Colleges account or arrange for their previous institution to send them.

Bear in mind, you'll have to pay an application fee of $150 CAD for programs starting in August 2027 or beyond. Follow the payment instructions provided in your Ontario Colleges account. Your application won't be sent to your college choices until you've paid the application fee.

Ontario college applications for international students

For international students, applying is a little more difficult.

International application procedures vary by college. Begin on the college's official international admissions page and follow the application link provided there. Depending on the institution, you may apply through the Ontario Colleges International Application Service or another college-designated application route. Don't assume that one application process applies to every college!

Depending on your school and program, you may be asked for supporting documentation, which can be uploaded directly to your application. This is especially important for international students: you might be asked to prove your English language competency by uploading TOEFL or IELTS scores, as well as provide a copy of your passport's first page.

International applicants should follow the document instructions in their application and on the college's official international admissions page. You may need to upload transcripts or arrange for official documents to be sent directly by your school. Don't assume that transcripts from a school outside Ontario will be transferred automatically! See the Ontario Colleges Transcripts page for information on transcript submissions.

You may require official translation of your documents, if they're not in English. Check the college's rules for certified translations before arranging the service. The college may require both the original-language document and an English translation completed by an approved or certified translator.

The number of program choices you can add to an international application varies by institution. Review the rules and fees shown in your application before submitting your choices. There may be a small charge for transcript transmission, too.

Here's a quick list of the documents you may require as an international student applying to Ontario colleges. Be aware that this list isn't comprehensive:

• High-school and, if applicable, post-secondary transcripts
• Certified English translations when documents are issued in another language
• Proof of English-language proficiency, if required
• A copy of the information page of a valid passport
• Program-specific materials, such as a portfolio, resumé, questionnaire, or other supporting documents as required

Some programs may require additional documents, so be sure to review the requirements carefully.

(You may want to explore scholarships for international students to help you pay for your education, as well!)

Most international students need a study permit to study at an Ontario college, although some applicants are exempt. Use IRCC's official eligibility information to determine whether you need one.

You can apply for a study permit after receiving a letter of acceptance from a designated learning institution, and it requires a $150 CAD fee. Applicants must demonstrate that they have enough money to cover first-year tuition, required living expenses, and transportation to and from Canada. For a single applicant, you'll need at least $23,000 CAD for living expenses, on top of tuition and transportation costs. If the program lasts longer than one year, you'll also have to explain how you plan to fund the full duration of your studies. Check the current IRCC financial support requirements before applying, since the required amounts can change.

Most college students applying for a study permit also need a Provincial Attestation Letter, or PAL. You normally obtain the PAL through your college after accepting your offer, and you may have to pay part or all of your tuition before the college issues it. Some applicants are exempt, so check the current IRCC requirements for your situation.

Submitting your application to an Ontario college

Before you send in your application for good, be sure to review it. Go over all the details, and confirm you've got your programs selected in the order you want them. Then take a deep breath and click submit! Congratulations, you've applied to college in Ontario! You've taken a big step forward in your education. Make sure you check in with SchoolFinder or StudyinCanada now and then, to find advice, articles, and support for every leg of your journey, from your first semester to your first career.

What if I want to change my program or school selection?

You're free to make changes to your choices after you submit your application! Just log into your account to do so. Be aware that changing your choice(s) after the February 1 Equal Consideration deadline could affect your chances of getting into a program, because seats are filled on a "first come, first served" basis.

What if I apply after the February 1st 'Equal Consideration' date?

Many programs continue accepting applications after February 1, but availability depends on the college and program. Applications received and paid for by February 1 receive equal consideration. After that date, colleges may continue issuing offers until programs are filled or wait lists are drafted. Check the program listing before applying to confirm that it's still open.

If you want your best chance at getting accepted to your program of choice, apply early!

Getting and confirming an offer of admission

You'll hear back from schools by email, and some may even send physical mail. Here's a quick list of official dates:

• November 1, 2026: earliest date colleges may release admission offers, and the earliest date you can confirm an offer
• May 1, 2027: most common confirmation deadline, but not the only one! Follow the exact date stated in your offer
• June 1, 2027: earliest date colleges may require tuition payment

When you receive an offer, review its conditions and deadline carefully. If you decide to accept it, sign in to your Ontario Colleges account and confirm the offer before the stated deadline. Confirming an offer does not replace any deposit, document, or registration requirements imposed by the college.

Enjoy your studies! Be sure to check out sites like ScholarshipsCanada.com to help you find scholarship and bursary opportunities, info on student loans, and more.