Registration Deposit – FALL SEMESTER ONLY, Undergraduate and Diploma Students Only
To be able to add and drop courses for the registering semester, all undergraduate and diploma students are required to pay a minimum, non-refundable registration deposit of $500 by the registration deposit deadline. Your registration deposit will be credited to your student account. All outstanding balances from previous semesters must be paid first or the $500 will be applied to the outstanding balance and will not be considered as a registration deposit. Please review your account on WebAdvisor and consult the preferred payment methods for the registration deposit.
Failure to pay the registration deposit will result in:
- Blocked access to course selection for the registering semester.
Please note: All students must pay the $500 deposit by the registration deadline, regardless of funding sources (e.g., OSAP, bursaries or scholarships).
Registration Deposit FAQs
This deposit goes directly toward your first-term tuition, it is not an extra fee, and it plays an important role in ensuring a smooth start to your academic year. The changes to the deposit requirements aim to create a more efficient and less stressful registration process for students while improving enrollment management for the university.
Reasons for Moving the Registration Deposit Requirement Date
1. Avoid Deregistration Stress:
Previously, when students were allowed to register without paying the deposit upfront, those who failed to pay the deposit by the deadline were deregistered. This caused significant stress as students scrambled to pay the deposit and then had to re-register for their classes. Unfortunately, re-registration could not always be guaranteed, leading to further anxiety and disruption.
2. Commitment to attending University of Guelph:
Allowing students to register without paying the deposit meant that they could hold a seat in a class even if they were still deciding whether they would be studying at the University of Guelph in the upcoming semesters. By requiring the deposit before registration, students are more likely to commit to their courses, reducing the number of late withdrawals and ensuring as many seats as possible are available for students who are truly planning to attend in the next fall and winter semesters.
Reasons for Increasing the Registration Deposit Amount
The previous deposit of $200 had not increased in over 10 years. The updated amount of $500 is still less than 10% of the annual tuition (for example, a Bachelor of Arts program costs approximately $6,100 per year). This update helps us make sure that students who register for courses are committed to joining us when classes start.
Who needs to pay the registration deposit?
All undergraduate students are required to pay the mandatory $500 non-refundable registration deposit by the deadline, even if you will be receiving funding from OSAP, scholarships or bursaries.
- The $500 registration deposit is NOT an additional charge and will NOT appear on your student account as an outstanding balance.
- If you have an outstanding balance from a previous semester the $500 payment will be applied to the outstanding balance and NOT applied to the registration deposit.
- The registration deposit will appear as a payment on your account and reduce the amount owing on your Fall bill.
Why do I need to submit a registration deposit?
The $500 registration deposit is required to register for your Fall semester.
Can I receive my registration deposit back?
No, the registration deposit is non-refundable.
How long does it take to see my payment?
Online/bank payments can take 1 to 3 business days to be received on your student account. Payment must be on your account to protect your registration.
International Deposit - NEW International Undergraduate and Diploma Students Only
To further show your commitment to attending the University of Guelph, new international undergraduate and diploma students are required to pay a non-refundable tuition deposit of $2,000 CAD by the deadline indicated on the Dates & Deadlines page. This deposit is only required for your first semester, whether that be the fall, winter or summer semester. Please consult the preferred payment methods for paying your deposit. This deposit is not an additional fee – it will be applied to your tuition balance.
Residence Deposit
Please see the residence fees.