The number of study permit holders in Canada has tripled over the past decade, rising from 300,000 in 2013 to over 900,000 in 2024. International students contribute immensely to Canada’s economy, spending $37.3 billion on school-related expenses and supporting 200,000 jobs. 

Yet, many international students at U of T face financial difficulties compounded by tuition fees and the cost of living in Toronto. The Varsity spoke to international students about tuition, housing, and food prices.

Costly concerns in Canada

According to a U of T spokesperson, “U of T receives no government funding for international students, who pay the full cost of their education. The fees are determined in accordance with the provincial government’s tuition fee framework, the university’s tuition fees policy, and the Statement of Commitment Regarding International Students.”

The fee for international students at U of T is approximately three to seven times higher than the fee for domestic students. 

Xinran Liang — a third-year biodiversity and conservation biology international student — shared in an email to The Varsity, “The high cost of tuition is a constant worry, and I fear that even after graduation, I won’t earn enough to offset these expenses.” 

In order to obtain a study permit, international students must provide proof of financial support to afford tuition and living expenses. As of 2024, the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada  required students to prove they have $20,635 per year for living costs, equating to approximately $1,719 per month. 

Yet, U of T Student Life lists on their website that students should expect living expenses in the GTA to range from $1,130–$2,700 monthly on housing and groceries to cost above $350 monthly. This does not include miscellaneous costs of hydro, phone, and Internet bills that Student Life estimates to range from $175–$281. 

A 2023 rental market report by Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation showed that rents in Toronto surged by 29 per cent for vacant units in 2022. In June 2024, the Ontario government responded by setting a rental increase guideline, capping most landlords’ annual rent hikes at 2.5 per cent without requiring approval from the Landlord and Tenant Board.

Matthew Laquis — a fourth-year international student studying mechanical engineering — said the cost of living in downtown Toronto is “absurd.” 

“I live on Yonge Street, quite close to campus, so rent is not the best, and the amount of space you’re given with a high cost doesn’t match it. They call bedrooms what is basically just a large closet or storage room,” said Laquis.

According to the 2024 Who’s Hungry Report from Daily Bread and North York Harvest food bank, 31 per cent of 3.49 million food bank visits were students, with four in five new users being newcomers who have been in Canada for less than five years. 

In an interview with The Varsity, Joy Xu — a third-year international student studying history, cinema, and English — spoke about her own experiences living in Toronto. 

“I just find that access to Asian groceries, [like] when you try to make food that reminds you of home, [it] also becomes expensive.” 

While Xu has never been to a food bank, she has gone to events with free food and complementary lunches because of food prices. 

“Buying food out is quite absurdly expensive. [Even] cooking food with groceries I thought would be cheaper, but it’s not that much cheaper,” added Laquis. “So it’s quite hard financially in terms of food.”

Financial support from U of T

As a publicly funded institution, U of T advises international students to seek support from their home countries. However, according to its 2005 Statement of Commitment Regarding International Students, if admitted and enrolled students encounter financial emergencies, the university will “provide financial assistance as needed and where possible.” 

The university is also committed to developing international admission scholarships to be awarded based on exceptional academic merit and financial need, using its own resources and support from external sources. For 2024–2025, about $90 million in student financial aid is available.

The University Health Insurance Plan (UHIP) also ensures that international students receive many of the same health services and medical treatment coverage as domestic students. One difference is that UHIP does not provide coverage for prescription drugs to students under age 25, unlike the Ontario Health Insurance Plan Plus. Along with this, all students also receive supplementary health insurance through their student union. 

All students are provided the facilities of the Health & Wellness department, as well as student mental health services from the university. In addition, the first-year residence guarantee and the off-campus housing resources can support all students in finding affordable housing options near campus. 

International student centres at UTSG, UTM, and UTSC also provide support and a community for international students.

With files from Eleanor Yuneun Park and Olga Fedossenko.