ontariocolleges.ca Application Fees: What the $95 Covers and When You Need More
By Muntasir Minhaz • Published Aug 19, 2026 • Admissions & Applications, Canadian Universities & Colleges
The ontariocolleges.ca application fee is $150, non-refundable, and covers up to 5 program choices at up to 3 different colleges within one academic year.
💵 Base application fee: $150 per academic year application
Covers up to 5 program choices, no more than 3 at any single college
Requesting an extra official transcript costs $5.00
A returned or declined payment adds a $25 fee
Applying for a different start year means paying the fee again
Why you pay one fee instead of one per college
ontariocolleges.ca is a shared application centre for Ontario's public colleges, run by the Ontario College Application Service (OCAS). Instead of submitting a separate application and fee to each college, you pay OCAS once and it distributes your application, transcripts, and updates to every college tied to your program choices.
This setup saves you from repeating your personal information and educational history for every college you're interested in. It does not change how each college reviews your file. Every college still assesses your application against its own program requirements.
What the base fee includes
The ontariocolleges.ca application fee is $150, and it's non-refundable once you submit. This single payment covers one academic year application, with up to 5 program choices and no more than 3 choices at any single college.
Editing your program choices inside that same application, adding, removing, or swapping a choice before a college decides on it, costs nothing extra as long as you stay within the 5-choice, 3-college limit. Once you pay, your application reaches every college you selected within 2 business days.
Fee breakdown
| Fee | Amount | When it applies |
|---|---|---|
| Application fee | $150 | Once per academic year application, covers up to 5 program choices |
| Transcript processing | $5.00 | Per official transcript OCAS processes for you |
| Returned payment | $25 | If your payment is declined or returned |
When you need to pay again
You pay the $150 fee again if you open a new application for a different academic year, for example if you deferred your original offer or you're applying again after a gap. Each academic year application is a separate submission with its own fee.
The 5-choice, 3-college limit applies per application. If you want to consider more programs than that limit allows, drop an existing choice to make room for a new one, or submit a second application with its own fee. Contact OCAS through your account if you're unsure which option fits your situation.
Extra costs to plan for
Requesting an official transcript that OCAS processes on your behalf costs $5.00. Budget for this if you need records sent from a school you attended outside your current program.
A returned or declined payment, for example an expired card or an e-transfer that fails, adds a $25 fee on top of what you already owed. Confirm your payment method works before you submit to avoid this extra charge.
Getting the most from your $150
Use all 5 choices if you're applying to competitive programs. Spreading your choices across more than one college raises your odds of at least one offer.
Research programs before you submit. Changing a choice inside the limit is free, but every choice still needs to meet that college's own program requirements.
Keep your payment details ready before you submit to avoid the $25 returned payment fee.
Common questions
Do you pay separately for each college choice? No. The $150 fee is one payment for the whole application, covering up to 5 program choices across up to 3 colleges each.
Does the fee change if you only apply to one program? No. The fee stays the same whether you use 1 choice or all 5, so use your remaining choices if you're unsure about your top pick.
What if the fee is a financial barrier? Speak with your high school guidance counselor or your target college's financial aid office before you apply. Some colleges and community organizations run their own support options separate from OCAS.
Is the fee refundable if you change your mind? No. The $150 fee is non-refundable once you submit, even if you withdraw every program choice afterward or never enroll anywhere. Confirm you're ready to apply before you pay, rather than treating the fee as a placeholder while you keep researching.
Budgeting beyond the application itself
The $150 application fee is separate from tuition, residence, books, and any program-specific supply costs you pay once you enroll. Treat it as the smallest line item in your overall college budget, and plan the rest around the specific programs on your list, since tuition and living costs vary widely by college and by city.
If you're applying to programs with a supplementary requirement, a portfolio review or an entrance test, budget time as well as money. These steps run on their own schedule, separate from the $150 application fee, and missing a supplementary deadline can cost you a seat even after you've paid.