Undergraduate Domestic Non-Ontario Residents Tuition Fee Exemption
Students charged domestic non-Ontario resident tuition fees may be eligible for domestic Ontario resident tuition fees under specific scenarios.
How to Request a Change to Ontario Resident Tuition Fees
If you have been billed domestic non-Ontario resident tuition fees but are eligible for domestic Ontario resident tuition fees based on your residency status, you can request a tuition fee adjustment by submitting a Request for Domestic (Ontario Resident) tuition fee billing along with the required documentation before the deadline.
All documentation presented must be original, valid, and in the same legal name as it appears in ACORN.
If your request is approved, your records will be revised to Domestic (Ontario Resident) tuition fees. A notification of the change will be sent to your utoronto.ca email address.
Deadlines
- Fall-Winter: November 1
- Winter Only: February 1
- Summer: June 1
Notes:
- Retroactive fee changes for previous study periods or requests made after the deadline are not permitted. For example, if a request is made and approved after November 1, the adjustment will only apply to winter term fees.
- Deadlines are strictly enforced. No exceptions are considered.
If your legal status has not been verified in ACORN by the TCard Services Office or by your Divisional Registrar Office, you must do so before requesting a tuition fee exemption. Visit the TCard Office website for more information about the identity validation and legal status verification process.
Eligibility Criteria
Review the eligible scenarios below to determine if you qualify and to see the required documentation.
Required Documentation
Submit one of the following options:
Option 1: Submit both:
- Proof of dependent relationship*
- Your parent’s most recent Notice of Assessment confirming residency in Ontario
Option 2: Submit all three:
- Proof of dependent relationship*
- Your parent’s property tax bill or residential lease agreement
- One supporting document from your parent(s) from the General Supporting Documents list
*Suggested supporting documentation demonstrating the dependent relationship between you and your parents:
- A Canadian long form birth certificate with parental information
- A foreign birth certificate translated into English with parental information
- Parent’s Record of Landing document (IMM 1000) with list of accompanying family members
- Parent’s Confirmation of Permanent Residence with list of accompanying family members
- Notice of Decision document from the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada (IRCC) with list of accompanying family members
- Proof of adoption documents with parental information
Notes:
- Documents demonstrating the dependent relationship to your parents must include your full legal name. The name(s) and address on the property tax statement or lease agreement must match the document provided to satisfy requirements.
- As a dependent student, you do not have to be living with your parents during your study period.
Required Documentation
Submit one of the following options:
Option 1: Your most recent Notice of Assessment confirming residency in Ontario
Option 2: Submit both:
- Your property tax bill or residential lease agreement covering the last 12 months prior to being a post-secondary studentOne supporting document from the General Supporting Documents list
Notes: Your name and address on the property tax statement or lease agreement must match the document provided to satisfy requirements.
Required Documentation
- Proof of Relationship Status
- Proof of Marriage
- A Canadian marriage certificate or foreign marriage certificate translated into English
- Proof of Common-Law Status for at least three years
- Declaration of a common law union (IMM 5409) or a notarized affidavit of common-law status
- One document with both names providing evidence of co-habitation such as a tax statement, mortgage statement, property tax bill, or lease agreement
- Proof of Co-habitation for any period and proof of dependent children (natural or adoptive)
- Proof of a dependent child such as a Canadian long form birth certificate with parental information, a foreign birth certificate translated into English with parental information, or proof of adoption with parental information
- One document with both names providing evidence of co-habitation such as a tax statement, mortgage statement, property tax bill, or lease agreement
- Proof of Your Spouse/Partner’s Residency is Ontario
Submit one of the following options:
Option 1:
- Your spouse/partner’s most recent Notice of Assessment confirming residency in Ontario.
Option 2: Submit both:
- Your spouse/partner’s property tax bill or residential lease agreement covering the last 12 months
- One supporting document from the General Supporting Documents list
Notes: Documents demonstrating marriage, or a common-law relationship, must include your full legal name. Your spouse or partner’s name and address on the property tax statement or lease agreement must match the document provided to satisfy requirements.
Required Documentation
Submit both:
- A Confirmation of Nomination letter from the Ontario Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration confirming your participation in the program
- Proof of Permanent Resident status or approval in principle status (AIP) such as a valid PR Card, Confirmation of Permanent Resident Visa, approval in principle letter, or acknowledgement of receipt letter from the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
Notes: You must be a permanent resident to qualify, or if you are awaiting the approval of your permanent resident status and are in Canada on a Study Visa, you must have had an international fee exemption approved by your faculty, college, or campus Registrar’s Office to qualify as an Ontario resident for tuition fee purposes.
The University will determine your OSAP funding status. No additional documentation is needed as part of an appeal within this requirement.
Required Documentation
Submit one of the following documents:
- A copy of an Indian status card or its previous alternatives, such as the Certificate of Indian Status “All-in-one,” Certificate of Indian Status “Pilot Project,” and Laminated Certificate of Indian Status.
- A copy of a Métis Nation citizenship card from one of the five provincial affiliates (Métis Nation of Ontario, Métis Nation Saskatchewan, Métis Nation of Alberta, Métis Nation British Columbia, Manitoba Métis Federation) of the Métis National Council; or a valid membership card from one of the Metis Settlements of Alberta, the Northwest Territory Métis Nation.
- A copy of an Inuit enrolment card issued by any one of the four Inuit modern treaty bodies—Nunavut, Nunatsiavut, Nunavik, or Inuvialuit.
- Other documents to support claims to identity will be thoroughly reviewed and considered on a case-by-case basis.
Required Documentation
Submit one of the following options:
Option 1: Submit all three:
- Proof of dependent relationship*
- Official death certificate
- Your parent’s most recent Notice of Assessment confirming residency in Ontario.
Option 2: Submit all four:
- Proof of dependent relationship*
- Official death certificate
- Your parent’s property tax bill or residential lease agreement
- One supporting document from your parent(s) from the General Supporting Documents list
*Suggested supporting documentation demonstrating the dependent relationship between you and your parent(s):
- A Canadian long form birth certificate with parental information
- A foreign birth certificate translated into English with parental information
- Parent’s Record of Landing document (IMM 1000) with list of accompanying family members
- Parent’s Confirmation of Permanent Residence Visa with list of accompanying family members
- Notice of Decision document from the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada with list of accompanying family members
- Proof of adoption documents with parental information.
Notes:
- Documents demonstrating the dependent relationship to your parents must include your full legal name. The name(s) and address on the property tax statement or lease agreement must match the document provided to satisfy requirements.
- As a dependent student, you do not have to be living with your parents during your study period.
Required Documentation
A signed and dated letter from a person officially designated by the Children’s Aid Society to confirm the care of the student.
The letter must:
- Be on Children Aids Society’s official letterhead with the address included
- Include the official’s name, contact information, signature, and dated
Additional Details & Definitions
- Utility bill (e.g., hydro, gas, water, cable, cell phone)
- Valid Provincially Issued Photo Identification (e.g., Ontario Driver’s License, Ontario Photo Card)
- Child Tax Benefit statement
- Home Insurance policy
- Statement of Employment Insurance Benefits Paid (T4E)
- Statement of Old Age Security (T4A) (OAS) or Statement of Canada Pension Plan Benefits (T4A(P))
- Canada Pension Plan Statement of Contributions
- Employment confirmation (e.g., T4, pay stub, or letter from employer)
Domestic Student
A student who meets any one of the following criteria:
- A Canadian citizen (as defined by the Citizenship Act)
- An Indigenous person who is recognized as a First Nations (status or non-status), Métis, or Inuit
- A permanent resident, protected person, and Convention refugee (as defined by the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act)
- A person with “approved in principle (AIP)” for permanent resident status in Canada
Parent
The term ‘parent’ or ‘parents’ refers to one or both birth parents, adoptive parents, step-parents, legal guardians, or official sponsors.
Approved in Principle (AIP) and Acknowledgement of Receipt (AOR)
A status for permanent residence applicants who meet eligibility requirements but await medical, security, and background checks. Students can present their Approval in Principle or official Acknowledgment of Receipt letter as proof of this status.
Break in Enrolment
Students who have not completed registration in two or more years or have attended another university, outside a formal exchange or visiting student program, are considered to have a break in enrolment from the University of Toronto. An approved leave of absence granted by the divisional registrar office does not count towards this prescribed period.
Independent Student
A student who meets one of the following:
- Married or in a common law relationship
- A parent
- Out of high school for six or more years at the start of your study period
- Worked full-time for at least 24 months in a row
- Both parents are deceased
- Currently a child in Extended Society Care or in the care of the Crown just prior to age 18
- Currently receiving a Continued Care and Support for Youth program allowance from your Children’s Aid Society.
Dependent Student
A student who meets all of the following:
- Not married, in a common-law relationship, separated, divorced or widowed
- Not a parent
- Out of high school for less than six years before the start of your study period
- Has not worked full-time for at least 24 months in a row
- Child in extended society care
- As defined by the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP), a child in extended society care has been placed in the care and custody of the Crown by a court order made under the Child, Youth and Family Service Act. This was formerly referred to as a Crown ward.
Common-Law Relationship
You are living in a common-law relationship if you and your partner meet one of the following:
- Have cohabitated continuously for a period of at least 3 years
- Are in a relationship of some permanence and are the natural or adoptive parents of a child.