Foreign student cap could actually see P.E.I. numbers climb but schools remain concerned

The provincehas released data on how many new international students will be allowed toenrol inPrince Edward Island's post-secondary schools next yearunder new federal restrictions.

IfP.E.I.'s higher education institutions actually get that many students from outside Canada enrolling, however, it would still be an increase from the current year's numbers.

Citing efforts to slow a national housing crisis, the federal government announced its enrolmentrestrictionson Jan. 22, cappingby 35 per cent how many student permits may be issued for the next two years across Canada.Only first-yearundergraduate international students mustgo through this new process.

Under the cap, provincial Advanced Learning Minister Jenn Redmond said Thursday, P.E.I. has been told it can bring in up to 2,000 new students across all its institutions.

The province distributed the majority of those spots to the University of Prince Edward Island, which will be able to enrol up to 1,185 international students; 710 spots for Holland College; and 105 for the French-language Collge de l'le.

Both institutions' enrolment figures in the recent past are well belownext year's capped numbers. Last year,UPEI was the choice of 675 new international students. AHolland College official told CBC it has about 500 international students coming in each year.

"The allotment distribution would be somewhat connected to past history numbers," Redmond said. "What it will look like going forward, with this new program, we will have to collect the data going forward."

The new system requires post-secondary institutions to inform thegovernmentabout each potential international student who has appliedto study on the Island. Then the Department of Workforce, Advanced Learning and Population will provide each school with paperwork to pass on to prospective students.

That document, a provincial attestation letter, will be needed when students apply to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada for their study permit.

Once applicants are granted study permits from the federal department, those permitswill bevalid throughouttheir time studying at their chosen post-secondary institution.

Concerns remain

But both Holland College and UPEIleaders tell CBCNews they remain concerned about how the new process will impact theability to get new students through the process and on to campus in September.

"For context, both international and Canadian students typically apply and are accepted each year at multiple universities. Last year, UPEI made 3,200 offers to international students, and of those, 675 enrolled. This represents a conversion rate of 21 per cent," interim president of UPEIDr. Greg Keefesaid in an email to CBC News Thursday.

"What this new allocation means is that UPEI will have to develop a process to ensure that we distribute the 1,185 offersas prudently as possible so that a higher percentage of those students actually choose to come to UPEI, and we can maintain our international enrolment numbers."

CBC News also reached out to Collge de l'le to inquire about their enrolment numbers, but did not receive a response from the institution.