International student enrollment at Fanshawe College about to take another big slide

A new report shows more reductions in international students will be permitted at Fanshawe next year.

It’s another financial blow for Fanshawe College as it continues to tackle a growing deficit. The college has learned its international student allotment will drop by more than one third this year, compared to 2025.

Third year Fanshawe student Samir Shrestha, from Nepal, says the road to achieving his academic dream has been long, and the sacrifices for his family have been many.

“Firstly, we have to show that our English is good enough. So, we have to pass an exam. And then we also have to show a lot of our financial documents. So, we have to show we have a certain amount of money, and we can actually come here,” he explained.

According to the Toronto Star, which obtained the figures through a Freedom of Information request, this year Ontario has been granted 104,780 Provincial Attestation Letters (PAL). That’s less than half of the 235,000 granted just two years earlier in 2024.

The federal cap on international study permits for Ontario is 70,074. A PAL is required to apply for one of these permits, which verifies an international student has a confirmed seat at a learning institution.

The report says Fanshawe has been granted 4,611 Provincial Attestation Letters, down significantly from 7,333 in 2025.

Fanshawe student Vince Verzosa, from Philippines, says it’s disappointing.

“I think it’s like killing peoples’ opportunity to study abroad, like having more opportunities here,” he said.

The steep decline in international enrollment has not only impacted those coming from abroad to pursue their academic dreams, but domestic students are also facing higher tuition costs to make up for the losses.

“A lot of my friends are not going to be able to come back next year because OSAP has been defunded, and then tuition is rising. It’s not ideal at all,” said Fanshawe film student Grace Doyle.

“When I went for my first-year block release, it was about $400. We’ve seen that double now. It’s up to $800 now. You’re starting to see more programs be taken from the school. You’re starting to see classrooms being locked out,” said plumbing apprentice Tyson Groot.

Over the past year, Fanshawe has announced dozens of program cuts as it looks to tackle a projected $54 million deficit projected by 2027-2028.

The cuts are due in part to continued decline in international enrollments.