Tuition Fees
The total tuition fee for the two-year program (2023/24) for a domestic student is approximately $43,704.20 (Canadian) and for an international student it is $50,067.60 (Canadian). Tuition is paid in 5 instalments at the start of each term. Further information about fees can be found on the Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies website.
Additional Fees
Student fees charged in addition to tuition are approximately $2,000.00 over two years. Further information can be found here.
Students are expected to go to an external summer rotation between their first and second year of study. All associated costs including travel, accommodation and living expenses are not covered by the program.
Students are also expected to attend an educational conference in their second year of study. The program provides each student with $1,200.00 towards expenses. Costs incurred above this amount are not covered by the program. Costs vary depending on the conference location.
Students are encouraged to research the cost of living in Vancouver and Victoria to have a fulsome understanding of their financial needs.
Financial Aid
There is one $4000.00 scholarship available this year for a successful applicant. The award winner will be notified when acceptance into the Genetic Counselling Program has been determined. The decisions regarding the award winner is made by the Interview Committee.
In addition, in June 2021, the CAGC announced its First Nations, Métis and Inuit Bursary for Canadian Genetic Counselling Applications. This annual bursary is intended to cover the fees associated with applying for Canadian graduate programs in genetic counselling, for Canadian citizens who self-identify as First Nations, Metis and Inuit. It is available on an annual basis and eligible students must apply by May 31 of the same year of application. There is up to $3000 available annually and funding will be awarded in the order in which applications are received. The application form for the bursary can now be accessed through the CAGC website by clicking here. If you have any questions please feel free to contact Cammie Kaulback, CAGC Executive Director at ckaulback@cagc-accg.ca.
Work Learn Program
Students may also be interested in the Work Learn Program, a UBC wage-subsidy program that encourages on-campus employers to create career-related, on-campus work for eligible students.
Match Fee Waiver
The Association of Genetic Counseling Program Directors has established a waiver for the $100 fee associated with the NMS Match. Prospective students who demonstrate financial need AND have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or greater can apply for a match fee waiver. Prospective students should apply for a fee waiver BEFORE registering for an NMS number.
Applications for the match fee waiver are due by October 5. Applicants will be notified in late October as to whether they have received a waiver. There are a limited number of waivers, so not all applicants will receive a waiver. Instructions for how to register for the NMS match will be provided to those who receive a waiver.
Waivers are non-transferable to future match cycles or other prospective students. Prospective students who are applying for a match fee waiver will be required to write a short essay and to upload at least one of the following documents demonstrating financial need:
- A copy of a letter verifying unemployment benefits received within the past two years.
- A copy of a letter on official letterhead from a government agency verifying that you or your family have qualified for public assistance based on low income criteria anytime within the past 5 years
- A copy of your financial aid award letter from another / previous institution dated within 5 the past years
- A copy of your approved GRE fee waiver (for tests taken within 5 years of the application deadline)
- A copy of your federal Student Aid Report (SAR) that verifies you qualified for financial aid within the past 5 years based on a family contribution* of:
- Not more than $1,500 if the student is a dependent student
- Not more than $1,900 if the student is an independent student
To apply, click here: https://natmatch.com/gcadmissions/applicants/register.html