FAQ

1. What does Red Deer have to offer me?
2. What does the RDC campus look like?
3. How much does it cost?
4. When do courses start?
5. Is a TOEFL score required for admission to RDC?
6. Do I have to pay tuition before I arrive in Canada?
7. What if I do not have the admission requirements?
8. Can I get my Study Permit in Canada?
9. Do I need to have medical insurance?
10. Where can I live?
11. Is financial aid available for international students?
12. Can I work while I study in Canada?
13. How do I get to Red Deer?
14. What if I need help once I become a college student?
15. What is the role of the Academic Advisor?
16. Do I need to attend an Orientation session once I arrive?
17. What if I still have questions or concerns?

1. What does Red Deer have to offer me?
Red Deer is a safe and vibrant city of 90,000 people located just 90 minutes from Calgary and 90 minutes from Edmonton. If you are an active type, you can take advantage of the Canyon Ski Area, hiking and biking trails, 13 golf courses, swimming pools, skating rinks, shopping centres, movie theatres and many restaurants.

For more information about Red Deer visit www.reddeer.ca.

2. What does the RDC campus look like?
Take a virtual tour

3. How much does it cost?
International Student Tuition Cost:
2009/2010 – $311.00/ per credit
Students’ Association Fee – $4.25/credit
NOTE: An average course is 3.0 credits and a full-time year is approximately 30.0 credits per year.

4. When do courses start?
Our semesters start in September (Fall), January (Winter) and May (Spring).

5. Is a TOEFL score required for admission to RDC?
No, but without a TOEFL (or IELTS) score a student can study only ESL. Please refer to ESL programs webpage.

6. Do I have to pay tuition before I arrive in Canada?
New students must pay an application fee of $140 before being allowed to register for courses. Many Canadian Embassies require proof of payment of tuition before a Study Permit will be approved.

7. What if I do not have the admission requirements?
RDC offers all the courses you need to get into our programs. If you only need one or two, we can often schedule them into a regular or Open Studies program.

8. Can I get my Study Permit in Canada?
No, currently it is not possible to obtain a Study Permit while in Canada, nor is it possible to exchange a Visitor's Visa (Temporary Resident Visa) for a Study Permit. The application must be made from outside Canada.

9. Do I need to have medical insurance?
Yes, it is required by law. Please refer to our Health Costs (link to 1.6.5.3) page for more information.

10. Where can I live?
We do have residences at RDC. Students can also either stay with a home stay family, or rent accommodation off-campus.

Homestay Program
We offer our international students a chance to live with a Canadian family in order to gain a better understanding of Canadian lifestyles and values. Our Homestay families provide a loving family environment where our international students can achieve positive personal growth and academic excellence. Students interested in staying with a Canadian family must submit a completed Homestay Application form with a $400 CAD placement fee. To learn more visit http://www.rdiea.ca/.

Live and Learn On-Campus
Looking for that genuine college experience right down to residence? Residence rent includes all furnishings and most utilities. On-campus housing works on a first-come, first-serve basis and requires a $20 CAD application fee. To learn more about living on-campus, visit our residence webpage, or call 403.342.3257.

Live Off-Campus
Thinking maybe right on-campus is a bit too close? RDC’s Students’ Association maintains a directory of private, off-campus accommodation options. You can rent a basement suite by yourself or an entire house with friends. Learn more about living off-campus by visiting the Students’ Association webpage, or call 403.342.3200.

11. Is financial aid available for international students?
Yes, students who require financial assistance to attend RDC must arrange this assistance before arrival in Canada. Scholarships are available to international students, based on their grade point average (GPA) and community involvement.

12. Can I work while I study in Canada?
The Off-Campus Work Permit program allows a student to work up to 20 hours per week during the school year (September to April) and full-time during school breaks.
The basic rules of eligibility are:

1. A student must have studied six months in an academic program (i.e. non-ESL study)
2. A student must be full-time or registered in at least three courses
3. A student must have and maintain a good academic standing

13. How do I get to Red Deer?
If you are arriving from out of the country – you may fly into the Calgary or Edmonton International Airports. When you arrive at the Calgary or Edmonton Airport, you will need to arrange for transportation to Red Deer. We recommend that you use Red Arrow Express or Greyhound bus services. Both bus services are located downtown in Calgary and Edmonton. For more information about available transportation options email us .

14: What if I need help once I become a college student?
The college experience is one that you will remember forever. Whether you are having a tough time getting organized, studying, budgeting, goal setting, or exam writing, if something gets in the way of your success, we can help.

15. What is the role of the Academic Advisor?
The Academic Advisor provides accurate, current information about RDC’s programs, requirements and course planning.

• Assists with developing academic success skills
• Helps facilitate transfer credit requests
• Provides information on transferability to other post-secondary institutions

To contact an Academic Advisor email advising@rdc.ab.ca.

16. Do I need to attend an Orientation session once I arrive?
Definitely! This is your chance to meet other first year international students and learn more about the academic culture of RDC. Returning international students will also answer your questions about: Canadian Immigration regulations, Health Care and anything else you can think of. Food and drink will be provided.

17: What if I still have questions or concerns?
If you would like information on courses, schedules, registration, course credits, university transfer, financial aid or scholarships, email us at international@rdc.ab.ca or call 1.888.732.4630.