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University & college in Canada
How admission works in each province, what to do in each grade, key deadlines, and how to pay for it: RESPs, grants and scholarships.
The big picture
How it works in Canada.
Canadian universities admit mainly on Grade 12 marks (and often Grade 11 for early offers), not on a separate admission test.
Each program lists required Grade 12 courses. Missing one can close a door, so plan courses from Grade 10.
Canadian students applying to Canadian universities usually do not need the SAT or ACT.
Ontario and B.C. have central application systems; Quebec students go through CEGEP; elsewhere you apply to each school.
Offers depend on keeping your marks up through the end of Grade 12.
Colleges and polytechnics offer diplomas, apprenticeships and degree pathways, often with co-op work terms.
By province
Where do you live?
Ontario
Universities: the Ontario Universities’ Application Centre (OUAC). Current Ontario high school students use the OUAC 101 application; others use OUAC 105. Colleges: OntarioColleges.ca.
Your top six Grade 12 U and M courses (4U/4M), including each program’s required prerequisites. Many universities make early offers using Grade 11 final and Grade 12 midterm marks.
OUAC 101 equal-consideration deadline: January 15, 2027. Ontario colleges equal-consideration date: February 1, 2027. Universities may not require you to accept an offer before June 1, 2027.
OSAP (Ontario Student Assistance Program) combines Ontario and Canada grants and loans; apply through OSAP once you have applied to your program.
British Columbia
Through EducationPlannerBC for most public universities and colleges in B.C. (one account, apply to several schools).
Grade 11 and Grade 12 courses, with program-specific required courses; check each program for the exact courses and averages.
Many B.C. universities use January 31, 2027 for fall applications (for example, Simon Fraser University). Check each school and program; some are earlier.
StudentAid BC combines B.C. and Canada grants and loans.
Alberta
Apply directly to each university or college on its own website. Alberta schools can share high school transcripts electronically, so Alberta students usually do not need to send paper copies.
Grade 12 (30-level) courses required by each program, often a five-course admission average.
Deadlines differ by institution and program, usually between December and March. Check each program page.
Alberta Student Aid combines Alberta and Canada grants and loans.
Quebec
After Secondary 5, most students go to CEGEP: a two-year pre-university program or a three-year technical program. Apply to most CEGEPs through a regional service such as SRAM (Montreal area).
For university, the R score (cote R) from CEGEP, plus the prerequisite courses for each program.
CEGEP first-round deadline for the fall term (SRAM): March 1. University deadlines for CEGEP students are usually March 1 as well; check each university.
Aide financière aux études (AFE) is Quebec’s student aid program; Quebec runs its own loans and bursaries.
Other provinces and territories
In Saskatchewan, Manitoba, the Atlantic provinces and the territories, students usually apply directly to each university or college.
Grade 12 courses required by each program and an admission average; some programs also review Grade 11.
Most deadlines fall between December and March for fall entry. Early application often means earlier offers and scholarship consideration.
Each province or territory runs student aid together with the Canada Student Financial Assistance Program.
Grade by grade
What to do each year.
- Explore interests and keep options open: take the academic (or university-preparation) stream in math, English and science where you can.
- Start a simple record of activities, volunteering and awards.
- Parents: open an RESP if you have not yet; the government adds 20% on the first $2,500 a year.
- Choose Grade 11 courses that keep university and college prerequisites open (math especially).
- Try one deeper activity: a club role, a job, volunteering or a project.
- Look at two or three programs you might like and note their required courses.
- These marks matter: many universities make early offers from Grade 11 finals.
- Pick Grade 12 courses that meet the prerequisites for your top programs.
- Visit campuses (in person or virtually) and make a first list of 6–10 programs.
- Plan national scholarships that open in the fall of Grade 12 (Loran, TD, Schulich).
- Fall: apply for national scholarships; ask teachers early for references.
- Apply through your province’s system by the deadline (Ontario universities: January 15; Ontario colleges: February 1; many B.C. schools: January 31).
- Keep marks strong: offers are conditional on final marks.
- Apply for student aid (OSAP, StudentAid BC, Alberta Student Aid, AFE) and entrance scholarships; compare offers before the acceptance date.
Paying for it
RESP, grants and aid.
Save in a Registered Education Savings Plan and the Government of Canada adds 20% on the first $2,500 you contribute each year (up to $500 a year, $1,000 if catching up), to a lifetime maximum of $7,200 per child.
For children from low-income families born in 2004 or later: $500 to start plus $100 a year, up to $2,000, paid into an RESP. No contribution needed.
For 2026–27, up to $4,200 a year for eligible full-time students, based on family income and size. You apply through your province’s student aid program.
Most universities give automatic entrance scholarships based on your admission average; some larger awards need a separate application. Check each university’s awards page.
National scholarships
Big awards to plan for.
Loran Award
Over $100,000 over four years (living stipend, tuition waiver, mentorship and summer funding), for character, service and leadership. Up to 36 Loran Scholars; finalist awards too.
Applications for the 2027 award closed October 15, 2026. The next round usually opens in early fall.
TD Scholarships for Community Leadership
Up to $70,000 over four years plus mentorship and summer work, for students in their final year of high school (or CEGEP) who lead in their community; 75% average minimum outside Quebec.
For fall 2027 entry: apply by November 30, 2026; confirm on TD’s page.
Schulich Leader Scholarships
$120,000 for engineering or $100,000 for science, technology or math, over four years, at partner Canadian universities. 100 awards a year.
Each high school or CEGEP may nominate one graduating student. In the last cycle, nominations closed in late January and applications in mid-February; ask your school counsellor in the fall.
Thinking about the US too?
Applying to US universities from Canada.
- Most US colleges use the Common App; deadlines are often November 1 (early) and early January (regular).
- Some US colleges require or consider the SAT or ACT; many are test-optional. Check each college.
- Canadian citizens do not need a US visa stamp to study, but they need F-1 (or J-1) student status: the college issues a Form I-20 and you pay the SEVIS fee.
- US financial aid works differently for international students; look for colleges that offer aid to Canadians and use each college’s net price calculator.
Disclaimer: For informational and educational purposes only. Facts were checked against official and institutional sources in October 2026; rules, amounts and dates change every year, so always confirm with the university, college, application centre or government program before you apply. No admission, scholarship or financial aid outcome is guaranteed.