Canadian Universities Support Middle East Students in War

OTTAWA Canadian universities are providing targeted academic and financial supports to international students impacted by the ongoing war in the Middle East, including exam deferrals, tuition payment extensions and access to mental health resources.

The measures come amid escalating conflict that began with a U.S. and Israeli attack on Iran on February 28. According to reports from the Associated Press, the death toll has surpassed 1,900 in Iran and 1,300 in Lebanon as of Thursday. Canada hosts more than 23,000 study permit holders from Iran and about 1,800 from Lebanon, based on data from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada as of December 31, 2024.

Several institutions have proactively contacted affected students. The University of Victoria has reached out to those with ties to Iran, offering case-by-case assistance such as special bursary funding, removal of registration holds for overdue tuition and flexibility for applicants facing barriers to meeting admissions requirements due to the conflict.

At Queen's University, eligible students can receive extensions on winter tuition and fee payments without late penalties, along with emergency bursaries and broadened access...