Student
Success
Housing
We understand that having a comfortable place to live while attending College is important. However, finding your own place for the first time can be challenging. Loyalist College in Toronto is located in North York, and it is recommended to find a residence near the College to help you succeed in College life. Many students may have family and friends in the Brampton area, but this is a long commute to the campus.
Housing options within Toronto or surrounding communities can vary by the type of accommodation (private or shared) but also in the price range. Students should budget to spend between $700 – $1000 CAD per month, plus personal expenses. Students can find their own off-campus accommodation using the following websites:
Disclaimer – Loyalist College is in no way responsible or liable for any contact, or contents thereof, made as a result of disclosing or responding to an email address or any other personal information. The College cannot and does not accept responsibility for housing arrangements made by persons using the site.
Please contact housingsupport@tbcollege.com to learn about housing options to fit your preference and budget.
When looking for the right place to live, the type of accommodation can make a difference in cost.
Renting a Single Bedroom in a House or Apartment
This is the most common accommodation among students and is usually the most affordable as you will likely share the costs for common household items and utilities. If cost is your top concern, consider a bedroom in a shared space to get a lower monthly cost for your living accommodation.
Renting a Basement Apartment in a House
This accommodation would provide a separate living space within a home, such as a basement apartment. These are more expensive, but will include a private living space, kitchen, washroom, bedroom and entrance.
Renting an Apartment in a Building
This accommodation would be a self-contained unit with a private bathroom and kitchen. This may be a good option for those looking to live on their own or with a roommate but may be a more costly option. Be sure to consider these factors before looking into apartment accommodations.
Renting a House
This could be the most expensive housing option depending on how the costs are split and how many people would share the costs. Renting a house means you may be responsible for extra costs like property taxes, utilities, and potential repair costs. When exploring this option, make sure you follow local by-laws and do not exceed the amount of people that can safely live in the space.
Transit tips
Use resources like Google Maps to determine how far different housing locations would be from campus and how to plan your route if you are driving or taking local transit.
These links for Miway (Mississauga Transit), Oakville Transit, and Brampton Transit can help you plan your route by bus once you have found an ideal location to live.
Apps like Transit help you navigate your city’s public transit system with simple trip planning, departure and stop reminders. You can also request an Uber, Lyft or VIA, or grab the closest bikeshare. At Loyalist, we’re here for you – personally and professionally.
Small means that we can move mountains to help you succeed. We offer a range of services, opportunities and resources to support you in getting the most out of your college experience.
Health Insurance
International students receive mandatory 12-month health insurance while registered at Loyalist College. It is highly recommended that you purchase your own travel insurance while travelling and for time spent in Canada before the effective coverage dates listed below.
Your tuition payment as an international student includes the mandatory annual health insurance through Guard.me which is arranged automatically for registered students. Students who do not confirm with the International Centre that they are planning to arrive and begin classes will not be automatically registered for this insurance and therefore will not be covered. Medical attention can be extremely expensive in Canada, so it is very important to have this coverage.
International Coverage Dates:
| Effective Coverage Dates: | |
|---|---|
| September Intake | September 1 – August 31 |
| January Intake | January 1 – December 31 |
| May Intake | May 1 – April 30 |
Wellness and Counselling
At Loyalist College in Toronto, your success is important to us. We know that postsecondary education is demanding and stressful, especially when you are an international student far away from family and friends. Staying physically, mentally, and emotionally healthy is an important part of student success. Watch this video featuring our counsellor and a Loyalist College student in Toronto discussing the benefits of counselling services below.
Frequently Asked Questions
We support your wellness by offering a variety of resources and activities:
- Wellness workshops
- Drop-in discussion groups
- Group activities that promote work-life balance, having fun and learning new skills
- Wellness resources for psychoeducation and coping skills
- Personal wellness counselling when you need someone to talk to
Counselling is an opportunity to discuss personal and academic challenges and concerns safely and confidentially with a trained mental health professional. A counsellor is not a doctor or an advice-giver who prescribes medication. In fact, a counsellor is trained to listen without judgement and support you in goals you have or may like to set for yourself.
Often, being an international student can be overwhelming. As you are striving towards independence in your new home, you don’t have to do everything yourself. Being independent means having the wisdom to know when to reach out for support with someone who is trained to listen and help you move in a direction that you believe is best for you.
You probably share a lot with your family and friends. Typically, that’s how you may get support, make decisions, and feel loved and respected. But what if you’re not getting the grades you want and are afraid to tell your family? Perhaps you don’t want to worry them, you feel ashamed and are afraid you will be criticized. Family and friends can’t always be objective, they may not be able to hear you the way you need to be heard. Counsellors can help in such situations because counsellors are trained to be objective and non-judgemental. Counsellors don’t replace family and friends, but they support you in ways that family and friends cannot.
You can discuss most academic and personal issues with your counsellor. For example:
- Feeling homesick
- Difficulties with making a decision (like changing housing, etc.)
- Relationship issues
- Financial issues
- Conflict with friends or roommates
- Losing interest or motivation in your studies or goals
- Coping skills and resources for depression and anxiety
- Support with academic accommodations
All students currently registered at Loyalist College in Toronto are eligible for free and confidential counselling services with the Wellness Counsellor.
Everything you share with your Wellness Counsellor is strictly confidential, and the counsellor will not share any information about you without your consent or permission. Your information will not be part of your academic record, or shared with parents, employers, or other organizations, except when required by provincial or federal laws.
Immigration Consulting
An immigration consultant is available to all students and can assist with questions related to visas, study permits, and IRCC regulations. Our consultant also provides on-line information sessions throughout the year.
Student ID Card
Loyalist College in Toronto students must come to campus from Monday to Saturday between 8 am and 5 pm, to have their photo taken and apply for a card in person.
Apply online using these steps:
- Login into services.tbcollege.com
- Select “ID Card” from the top of the screen.
- Upload a recent digital photo close up of your head and shoulders.
- Dimension size: 1000 x 1000 pixels on white background
Students will receive an email regarding the status of the request and need to present their passport and Letter of Acceptance (LOA) when picking up Student ID from the reception.
Social Insurance Number (SIN)
Loyalist College in Toronto students will have the opportunity to get a SIN card on campus. Students are required to book an appointment ahead. Students are also required to bring their study permit and passport for the appointment. Please check Moodle for more information. There is no cost to apply for a SIN.
Volunteering on campus
There are a wide range of opportunities for students to volunteer on campus which is a great way to meet new friends, build community and gain valuable experience to add to your resume. Opportunities include Club Masters, Student Ambassadors, Class Representatives and event volunteers.
Clubs
Students have the opportunity to participate in a variety of clubs such as the Cricket Club, Art Club, Dance Club, and the Environmental Club to name a few. If you have an interest and would like to start a club, the college will assist you!