Conflict in the Middle East Postponement of exams and suspension of tuition fees for international students

(Ottawa) Universities across Canada are offering increased support to some international students, including deferring exams and suspending tuition fees, as conflict continues in the Middle East. Â

The University of Victoria said it had contacted students with ties to Iran directly to offer individualized support. This support includes the provision of special scholarships and the lifting of registration suspensions linked to unpaid tuition fees.

The university also clarified that it is offering some flexibility to applicants who are having difficulty meeting final admissions requirements due to the conflict.

Queen’s University announced it is providing some students with winter tuition payment deferrals without late penalties, access to emergency bursaries and expanded access to mental health counseling and support services.

“Affected students are encouraged to contact the university in order to deal with the repercussions of this difficult situation,†a university spokesperson said.

Carleton University explained that it was easing the conditions offered to affected students regarding the submission of their admission files and exam deferrals, and that it was examining certain requests for tuition relief.

A McGill University spokesperson said an email regarding access to educational accommodations and mental health resources was sent to students from Iran, Bahrain, Israel, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria and the United Arab Emirates.

The United States and Israel attacked Iran on February 28. The Associated Press reports that as of Thursday, the death toll from the war stood at more than 1,900 in Iran and more than 1,300 in Lebanon.

Data from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada shows that more than 23,000 Iranian study permit holders and approximately 1,800 Lebanese were in Canada as of December 31, 2024.

Several student associations across Canada are organizing fundraisers, Nowruz rallies, discussions and protests in response to the conflict in the Middle East. Â

Amir Moghadam is an Iranian international student and president of the University of Toronto Graduate Students’ Association. He has been studying in Canada for five years and is working on a doctorate in biomedical engineering at the University of Toronto.

He said tuition extensions and suspensions are “positive steps” and he is happy to see universities offering them.

He also said these measures should be part of a “broader systemic framework” applicable to any international student community facing a crisis.

Moghadam added that universities need dedicated emergency funds, mental health services tailored to international students and clear institutional policies.

“Currently, Iranian students in Canada cannot contact their families or transfer money to them, and in many cases they do not know if their loved ones are safe,” he said. This situation is extremely worrying and requires much more than just flexibility regarding deadlines.

“These situations will continue to recur for different communities at different times,” he added. Support measures should already be in place when this happens.”

Amir Moghadam said the University of Toronto Graduate Students’ Association is working with the university administration to secure accommodations for affected students, including deadline extensions, leaves of absence and accommodation of research requirements.

He added that the association also offers an emergency scholarship program of up to $1,000 for students facing financial difficulties due to the crisis.

“Being an international student from Iran myself, I fully understand what it means to find yourself thousands of miles from home during a crisis, unable to ensure the safety of your family and loved ones, often because internet outages and communications disruptions make even a simple call difficult impossible,” noted Mr. Moghadam.