The applications are sorted through and the university or college will then make an offer. The student replies to the central application center, indicating whether or not the offer is accepted. A student may not accept more than one offer. In placing students, preference is given to students from within the province, followed by students from elsewhere in Canada and then international students. Transfers from one school to another are permitted but, again, they must be handled through the central agency.
Student debt is a growing issue.
Most students take advantage of the student loan programs available at the federal and provincial levels. As for curricula, all colleges and universities are self-governing. Through associations and other organizations, there is general agreement on the minimum requirements for degree-granting but there is no national standard. The provincial and territorial education ministers meet on a regular basis to discuss funding and program direction. Every year, about 180,000 university degrees and 600,000 college diplomas are granted in Canada and of these, about 27,000 are master's and doctoral degrees.