Description of Fees & General Information:

Accommodation Placement Fee – This charge covers the expense of finding a suitable host family for each student. It includes any necessary post-arrival counseling and re-placement to a new home if the student is not satisfied with the original placement, provided proper 2-week notice is given.

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Meal Plan – Full Board includes 3 meals per day plus snacks, 7 days per week. The host family will prepare dinner each night; students may be required to prepare their own breakfast and bag lunch for school. Half Board includes breakfast and dinner only. Again the host family will prepare dinner each night; students may be required to prepare their own breakfast.

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Location – In Vancouver, our Standard Homestays are located 30-45 minutes from the Center by public transit, and Closer to School Homestays are 20-30 minutes from the Center; therefore there is a surcharge for the Closer to School location. In Toronto, our Standard Homestays are located 45-70 minutes from the Center by public transit, and Closer to School Homestays are 30-45 minutes from the Center. In both cases, we calculate the commuting time following the posted transit schedules in each city, plus additional walking time where necessary. Actual travel times may vary slightly on a day-to-day basis depending on factors beyond our control such as traffic or weather.

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Youth Student Surcharge – As there is a greater degree of responsibility required in taking care of younger students, the above charge applies to any student 17 years old or younger. If a student turns 18 during their stay with us, the adult rate will apply from the first full session following their 18th birthday.

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Private Bathroom – Students will have exclusive use of their own bathroom facilities, which will include a shower or bath.

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Guaranteed High Speed Internet Access – Students will have non-dialup Internet access (i.e. cable or DSL). This service is only available for students bringing their own laptop. Any additional charges required due to non-compatibility issues are strictly the student's responsibility; however, if the student cannot make the connection work, then the charge will be refunded or they will be re-placed to a different homestay.

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Airport Pickup Service – Students will be met at the airport by a representative of the Airport Pickup Service (holding a sign with their name on it), who will take them to their new home and introduce them to their Homestay family. Pickup Service is only available for students with flights scheduled to arrive before 11pm.

Airport Return Service – Students will be picked up at their homestay and driven to the airport by our Airport Return Service. Typically, we plan for students to be at the airport 3 hours prior to their departure for international flights.

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Homestay Period – Homestay fees are applied to a 4-week period. Students are welcome to arrive anytime on Friday evening, Saturday or Sunday before their program begins and depart anytime on Friday evening, Saturday or Sunday after their program finishes. Early arrivals (before Friday) and late departures (after Sunday) will be subject to a rate of CAD$35 per night.

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Payment of Homestay Fees – A minimum of the first 4 weeks of Homestay rent must be prepaid in advance, along with the Placement Fee and Airport Pickup Fee (if requested). The remaining Homestay sessions' rent may also be prepaid in advance, or they can be paid every session, directly to the school, at least 2 weeks before the beginning of the next session.

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Notarized Guardianship Letter –

Some students aged 18 and under who will be entering Canada with a Study Permit may be required to have their parents appoint a Legal Guardian for them while in Canada. ELS Canada Center staff can perform this service, and we can provide a notarized Guardianship Letter, as long as the student is using our Homestay service. There will be a CAD$50 charge for the letter. More information on when a Guardianship Letter is required can be found at: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/study/minors.html . An additional Courier Fee of $75 may be charged if the document needs to be sent by courier.

Homestay Transfer & Cancellation Policies

1. The Accommodation Placement Fee is non-refundable.

2. Homestay Rent will be refunded if visa is denied as long as (A) student informs ELS Language Centers within a reasonable period, and (B) student provides ELS Language Centers with written verification from Canada Immigration that visa has been denied.

3. If a student withdraws in writing from Homestay at least one month prior to the Homestay commencement date, Homestay rent will be refunded in full.

4. If a student withdraws in writing from Homestay within one month of commencement, all Homestay fees except for the first month's rent will be refunded.

5. If a student withdraws from Homestay, in writing, with less than two weeks' notice, or is dismissed from Homestay, Homestay fees will be refunded except (A) fees for pro-rated used portion to date of withdrawal/dismissal; and (B) two weeks' rent.

6. A student who violates Canadian Law or ELS Language Centers' Homestay rules and regulations will be dismissed from the ELS Language Centers Homestay program.

7. Refunds will be issued within thirty days of written notice and presentation of original receipts.

Changing Homestays

1. During a student's first month at the Center they may request to change to another homestay within the same location price range with no formal notice expected and no penalty. If a student wishes to change to a homestay in another location price range, there will be no formal notice expected, but there will be a CAD$100 Re-Placement Fee. Please note however that a student's specific homestay requests may affect the time it takes to re-place them in a new homestay.

2. After the first session, a student who wishes to change homestays within the same location price range must provide 2 weeks' written notice. If the student wishes to change to a homestay in another location price range, there will also be a CAD$100 Re-Placement Fee.

Leaving Homestay

If a student wishes to withdraw from the Homestay program, all unused fees will be refunded so long as a full 2 weeks' written notice is provided to the school.