International Student Program: Procedures
The following expectations apply to all students registered in the Halton District School Board’s International Student Program (ISP). Students and their parents or custodians must review and agree to the following policies.
Tuition and Insurance Fee Refund Policy
Refunds are only issued under specific circumstances:
- Full refund: Provided if a student is unable to obtain a study permit from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). A copy of the IRCC refusal letter is required.
- No refund: If the study permit is denied due to missing or incomplete documentation.
Refunds will NOT be provided if the student:
- Withdraws for any reason other than a rejected study permit after the Letter of Acceptance has been issued.
- Withdraws at any point during the school year.
- Does not follow the Student Participation Agreement and is required to withdraw.
- Experiences interrupted education due to labour disruptions or other unforeseen events.
Additional Notes:
- The application fee is non-refundable.
- All refunds are subject to a $1,000 administration fee.
- New students: 15% of tuition is non-refundable; returning students: 10% of tuition is non-refundable.
- Refund requests must be submitted within 30 days of the withdrawal notification.
- Processing times will be communicated by the ISP office upon approval.
- Requests must come from the recruiting agency, parent, or custodian.
- Proof of payment is required. Please retain all receipts.
- International refunds are subject to exchange rates.
- Returning students: Notify ISP of any changes in immigration status before July 31.
- This refund policy is subject to change annually. Refer to your invoice or visit the International Student Program webpage for current details.
Confirmation: I understand the Tuition/Insurance Fee Refund Policy.
School Acceptance Policy
All ISP students must attend the school listed on their Letter of Acceptance. Transfers are not permitted to support student stability and relationship-building. If there are concerns, the ISP team will work with the student to resolve them without changing schools.
Student Residence Policy
- Students must reside within the catchment area of their assigned school.
- Elementary students (including Grade 8) must live with at least one parent in an independent residence. Living with extended family or friends is not permitted.
- Secondary students accompanied by a parent must also reside independently (not with family/friends or in shared housing).
- Unaccompanied secondary students must live with an HDSB-approved homestay provider.
- Failure to follow the residence policy may result in the student returning to their home country.
