What Can I Expect?

Welcome to NBCC’s Student Information Hub! This is where you’ll find important information about program delivery, student services and support, and campus events. We encourage you to visit this page for important student information throughout the academic year.

2024 – 2025 Academic Year

The 2024-2025 academic year will provide students with a vibrant campus experience and flexible learning options, with opportunities for both in-person and virtual learning.

Refer to NBCC’s Academic Calendar for all academic term start dates and other important dates throughout the year.

The Connection

The Connection is your weekly student e-newsletter containing important information on student services and supports, upcoming events, information sessions, and more. Watch for the latest issue in your inbox every Friday!

What is the difference between a study permit and a temporary resident visa (TRV)?
A temporary resident visa (TRV) allows you to enter Canada, while a study permit allows you to remain studying in a Canadian institution. Some people need both a study permit and a travel visa, whereas citizens of some countries do not require a visa. All students studying in Canada for periods of more than 6 months will require a study permit. See TEMPORARY RESIDENT VISAS.

How do I apply for a study permit? Where can I file my application?
There are a number of ways to apply for a study permit depending on your current status and location. It’s imperative to choose the correct path or risk refusal or delays. See STUDY PERMITS.

I would like to bring my minor children with me to Canada.
It can be complex to apply for study authorization for your school-aged children, as some require study permits, while others do not. See SPOUSES AND FAMILIES OF NBCC STUDENTS

I like to bring my spouse with me to Canada.
See SPOUSES AND FAMILIES OF NBCC STUDENTS

What is NBCC’s designated learning number (DLI)? Why do I need it?
You can find your DLI number on your letter of acceptance: O19391556439. Fredericton, Miramichi, Moncton, Saint John, St. Andrews, Woodstock campuses all use New Brunswick Community College’s DLI of O19391556439

How long will it take for my study permit to be processed?
This depends on your country of origin or residence in the visa office responsible for processing your permit. Check current processing times.

I do not have all my documents. Should I submit my application and then amend it after I receive them?
No. Your submission for a study permit application must be complete. If any documents are missing, the visa officers will likely make a decision on the application without giving you a second chance to upload or submit a missing document.

Will I need to issue the results of a medical exam?
If you have lived for six or more months in a country designated as a high risk for certain communicable diseases (in the last year) and intend to remain in Canada for more than six months, then you will need to do a medical exam and submit this with your study permit application. For work permit and co-op work permit purposes, certain people need to do a medical exam, to remove conditions barring work in certain fields such as hospitals and schools.

Do I need to include a police certificate with my application for study permit?
In certain cases you may need a criminal records check. If this is required of you, if necessary to get a police certificate from every country or territory in which you have resided for more than six months since you turned the age of 18. These are required to determine if applicants are security risk to Canada.

What reasons might my study permit application get refused?
Visa officers need to determine all applications individually on their merits. When assessing application for temporary residency (visas and permits), visa officers need to first determine whether the applicant is a bona fide (genuine) student. Bona fide factors include such information as:

• why the student has chosen this particular program in light of their past academic history and future intentions
• how the student intends to support themselves during their studies
• the student’s obligations to their home country
• whether or not applicant is likely to leave Canada after their status ends

For this reason, it is important to take your application seriously and include information to support your desires to come to Canada as a genuine student. For more information seek out information from IRCC here.

What can I do with my application is refused?
There are limited options available to students whose applications for a study permit have been refused. You may either reapply - making sure to satisfy the officer about the concerns listed on your refusal - or contest the negative decision in court. If you decide to contest the decision it will require a Canadian lawyer if you are not in Canada. In either case you should consult with an RCIC or Canadian immigration lawyer.

What is a Letter of Introduction?
If your study permit application is approved, you will receive a letter of introduction. The letter of introduction – also called “the port of entry introduction letter” – is not your study permit. When you enter Canada you will need to present this to get a study permit printed.

I would like to extend my study permit? What should I do?
You must apply before the expiration of your study permit if you would like to continue studying in Canada. Schools recommend you apply at least three months before the expiry of your status, to allow for processing time. If you apply for extension, you must stay in Canada and meet the conditions of your original study permit (i.e.: you cannot quit school and begin working).

What happens if my study permit expires?
If you have not applied for an extension before your study permit expires, you must stop studying - and working – immediately. Failure to do so will result in you falling out-of-status. This can have very serious consequences and you may be removed from Canada. See STUDY PERMITS

What happens if I lose my study permit?
If you lose your study permit you will need to apply for a replacement document by launching an application called “a replacement of an immigration document”. If this happens to you, you may continue studying in Canada, but in order to leave the country, you should not leave, until a copy of a valid study permit has been approved and sent to you.

Can I stay in Canada after I complete studying at NBCC?
See STUDY PERMITS and IMMIGRATION

NBCC Orientation: Winter 2025

Are you new to NBCC? Visit our Orientation page for more information on Pre-Orientation sessions, Welcome Week, the first day of classes, and more.

Program Delivery

Most programs at NBCC are delivered via a “blended” format. This means that some of your courses may be delivered in person at your designated campus, while other courses will be taught virtually using NBCC’s Learning Management System, Brightspace, and MS Teams.

Students can expect to be on campus between 60 and 80 percent of the time (three to four days per week). Classes are typically held between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Some exceptions apply.

NBCC Course Delivery Options:

• In-Person Learning – In-person course instruction on campus or at an alternate location. In-person learning may use technology such as Brightspace, laptops, digital textbooks, etc.
• Blended Learning – Course instruction alternates between in-person and virtual learning.  Blended learning will use technology such as Brightspace or MS Teams. 
• Hyflex Learning – Course instruction is available in person and virtually at the same time!  This option empowers students to choose how they want to learn on any given day throughout the course.  Hyflex Learning will use technology such as Brightspace and/or MS Teams to enhance both the virtual and classroom-based learning experience.
• Virtual Learning – Course instruction is synchronous (live, scheduled sessions) and delivered virtually.
• Online Learning – Course instruction is asynchronous (unscheduled, self-paced) and delivered fully online. 

Explore Student Services and Support

We are here to support you every step of the way. Check out some of the services you can access as an NBCC learner.

Student Services

• Counselling Services
• Career Services
• Indigenous Student Support
• International Student Support
• Services for Students requiring accommodations (e.g. learning disabilities, physical disabilities, etc)
• Library Services
• Student Financial Support Services
• Tutoring Services

Other Resources

• Health and Dental Insurance
• Off-Campus Housing
• Transitioning Life to College
• IT Services for Students - Visit the Get Started page for a quick overview of how to activate your account and other important information.
• Printing: Visit IT – Services: Printing for more information on print credits, submitting print jobs, and more. 
• NEW! Student Learning Experience Charter (pdf) - NBCC's Student Learning Experience Charter outlines our commitment to students, to deliver a quality learning experience, and in return, sets out expectations for learners to ensure they make the most of their time with the College.
• NEW! Peer Mentor Program - As a Peer/Nitap Mentor, you will offer peer support and guidance to other learners as they transition to college life. As a Mentee, you will be guided by an experienced student for your transition to college life.

Things You Should Know

• Brightspace Calendar: Curious about what’s happening across NBCC? Login to your Brightspace account and click on the "calendar button" located on the homepage. A list of upcoming events, initiatives, deadlines, and important dates is also available on the right-hand side of your Brightspace homepage.
• NBCC Emergency Procedures (pdf): NBCC’s emergency procedures outline the College’s emergency response procedures in the unlikely event that a life-threatening incident occurs at one of our locations. Physical copies of emergency procedures are also posted in academic spaces and common areas across our seven locations.
• Urgent Notification System: In cases where NBCC must quickly notify students of events such as campus closures or emergencies, we use the mass notification system Regroup. When classes commence and you are enrolled in all courses, login to Regroup using your assigned unique alphanumeric username and network login password to verify that your contact information is correct. It is important that we have up-to-date contact information for all active NBCC students.
• Health and Dental Plan & Opt-Out Deadline: NBCC and the NBCC Student Union (NBCCSU) offer MANDATORY health and dental coverage for students (pending eligibility). If you have proof of comparable extended coverage, you must apply to ‘opt out’ of the plan prior to NBCC’s deadline (refer to Academic Calendar for dates). Charges will apply for those who miss the deadline; no exceptions will be considered. Please note: If you are a student who had previously opted out since 2013, and no longer have an alternate comparable Health & Dental Plan, it is your responsibility to reach out to the Student Benefits Office to opt back into the plans by the deadline date.
  
  In addition, this year, the plan includes myWellness, an award-winning student mental health and wellness program. Through myWellness you can access support resources, an anonymous mental health assessment, and a toolbox full of helpful solutions. This plan is mandatory for students in regular programs of 20 weeks or more, unless proof of alternate (equivalent) insurance coverage is provided. 

• Tuition and fees: All tuition and fees are due by the first Friday after classes commence (refer to Academic Calendar for dates). We recommend that you make all payments online; learn more about tuition and fee payment options on our website.
  
  Note: All fees paid beyond the deadline may be subject to late fees.
• Government Student Loans: If you have not received your loan instalment by the third week of classes, contact your loan provider immediately. Please email financials@nbcc.ca if you expect further delays. Once NBCC receives and completes your confirmation of enrolment, the tuition/fees payment is sent directly to NBCC from your loan. Please don’t pay again if you are paying via student loan; it may take approximately 5-10 business days for this loan payment to be applied to your account.
• Student Loan Resources: The government of New Brunswick publishes an information guide (pdf) on how to apply for a student loan within New Brunswick. Contact GNB Student Financial Services (1-800-667-5626) for provincial student aid, and canlearn.ca or call toll-free (1-888-815-4514) for federal student aid.
• NBCCSU Events Calendar: The NBCCSU events calendar is available here. Check out what’s happening this month!