If you've already paid college tuition and set up a Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) for a study permit application, but decide to pursue Express Entry instead before filing, a refund may still be possible.
What the group advised:- Colleges will often refund the tuition fee minus their processing fee, provided they view your reason for withdrawing as genuine.
- You do not necessarily need a visa refusal letter to request a refund — colleges and banks can process a refund based on your own request, but the reason given matters and should be convincing (a genuine change in immigration plans, not just changing your mind casually).
- For the GIC, check directly with the issuing bank on their specific refund/cancellation process, since GIC providers may have their own conditions.
Action steps:- Contact the college's admissions/finance office directly, explain that you're withdrawing before filing to pursue a different immigration pathway, and request a refund minus processing fees.
- Separately contact the GIC-issuing bank to start their refund process.
- Keep any documentation showing your change in plans in case either party asks for justification.