Family care

Child care and school options

Securing reliable child care is a top priority for student parents. We recommend researching daycare options as early as possible, as spaces in licensed child care centres can fill quickly.

Consider part-time or flexible arrangements that align with your academic schedule.

If your child is of school age, look into local elementary and secondary schools near campus or your housing location.

Throughout Niagara, there are a several options available to you:

• Public schools – District School Board of Niagara
• Catholic schools – Niagara Catholic District School Board
• Private schools – Ontario directory 

Be sure to review school registration requirements, including residency and immunization records.

Tuition eligibility for school-aged dependents

Important: UNF is a private university. In most cases, children of parents studying at UNF who only hold a study permit are not eligible for tuition exemption through Ontario's publicly funded school boards based on the study permit alone.

If either biological parent holds a valid work permit in Canada and submits the required documentation before registration, their child(ren) may qualify for tuition exemption. Please note that co-op work permits are generally not recognized for this purpose.

Students and graduates transitioning between immigration statuses should be aware that school boards may request additional documentation when reviewing tuition eligibility. For example, graduates who have submitted a post-graduation work permit (PGWP) application and are awaiting a decision may be asked to provide supporting documentation, such as confirmation from IRCC showing that a work-permit application has been submitted and is under review.

The average processing time for work permit applications submitted from inside Canada is currently approximately 171 days (July 2026). For applications submitted from outside Canada, timelines can vary significantly depending on the country of application. Families are encouraged to plan ahead whenever possible.

Families should also be aware that recent updates to Ontario education policy may allow some students who were previously eligible for tuition exemption through a parent's immigration status to continue receiving this exemption after turning 18 years old, for a limited period and subject to individual eligibility requirements. We encourage families to confirm eligibility directly with their school board.

Because tuition exemption eligibility and documentation requirements can vary depending on each family's circumstances, final decisions are made directly by the school board.

For families in the Niagara region, we recommend contacting the relevant school board directly for the most accurate and up-to-date guidance.

If you are unable to enrol your child(ren), have questions about tuition eligibility, or need additional guidance navigating this process, please contact us at isa@unfc.ca.