Picture this: I just graduated high school and was accepted to Ontario Tech! I'm thrilled and can't wait, so I decided to look into my fees for the year. Suddenly, I'm hit with words I don't understand. I'm thinking, "Ancillary? What's that? What's the difference between that and tuition?" I was beyond confused, and I'm guessing most students were too. Luckily, I'm here to help you learn what these words mean. So get ready to end the confusion and start understanding exactly what you're paying for!

Okay, so first things first, what exactly are ancillary and tuition fees? Let's start with ancillary fees: 

Ancillary Fees

Think of ancillary fees as costs that help make your university experience better. Ancillary fees are used to provide you with important services and resources both on and off campus. These fees are charged alongside your tuition to your student account. Ancillary fees include things like a gym membership, health insurance and U-Pass. While there are other mandatory fees, some of them are optional; such as the dental plan.  

You're highly encouraged to take advantage of the services you're paying for, these fees let you access these services at a much lower price than you would pay otherwise. For example, a gym membership is usually anywhere from $20 to $170 a month depending on the gym. Your fees for sports and recreation include access to the campus gym to work out and depending on your course load the price ranges from $23.80 to $47.60 for the whole term! 

Tuition fees

Tuition fees, on the other hand, are the core fees that cover the cost of your academic program. These fees are charged per semester or per year, depending on your program and course load. Tuition fees fund your education and cover expenses such as faculty salaries, classroom resources and academic support services. It's important to note that tuition fees vary depending on factors like your program of study and whether you're an international or domestic student. While tuition fees are mandatory, they are an investment in your future and the quality of education you will receive at Ontario Tech. 

So, while ancillary fees enhance your overall student experience, tuition fees ensure that you receive a top-notch education that will prepare you for success in your chosen field. Both are important to have in order to ensure you have the best university experience possible!

Want to learn more about your fees at Ontario Tech?