Frequently Asked Questions

IESP does not base its admissions decisions on high school or college/university grades alone. For this reason, we ask students to submit an Application Package including an application form, two letters of reference from teachers, a personal statement and an application fee.

IESP applications are not made through the Ontario University Application Centre. Instead, you apply directly to the program, below.

First Nation, Métis, and Inuit students interested in beginning university studies who:

• would like academic and social support
• have taken time away from school and wish to start in a supported environment
• have potential but may lack the grades needed for traditional admission

IESP students:

• have come from across Canada
• have diverse educational and/or professional backgrounds and experiences
• have included both recent high school and/or college graduates and mature students who have decided to undertake university studies after years in the workforce

The IESP application is now open. The application deadline is Friday, July 11, 2025.

Please email iesp@carleton.ca with any inquiries or questions you may have.

Applicants must meet the following minimum educational criteria:

• Ontario high school applicants: must submit a complete application and have three Grade 12 credits at the U or M level (4U English is recommended but not required), and be eligible for their OSSD.
• Out-of-province high school applicants: must submit a complete application, have a high school diploma and half their grade 12 credits in the academic/university stream.
• Mature applicants (the IESP office will consider those who have been away from full-time studies for a two-year period and who have not undertaken other college or university study as “mature”): must submit a complete application and will be considered on a case by case basis.
• College/CEGEP applicants: must submit a complete application and may be considered after the completion of one year in a college program.
• University students: please contact iesp@carleton.ca about whether our program can assist you.

IESP does not offer workshops or seminars over the summer term, but we do offer support for students:

• An Indigenous Academic Advisor is available all summer to help you apply to programs, discuss your options, and refer you to helpful resources. You can book an appointment by emailing iesp@carleton.ca
• Indigenous counselling

Degree students can take up to 2.0 credits in the Summer; as IESP students, you can apply to do the same. The criteria to increase your course load are listed below.

• To take 1.0 credit you need to be eligible to enroll (not suspended from study)
• To take 1.5 credits you must be in “Good Standing” (normally a D+ average or above)
• To take 2.0 credits, you must be admissible to a degree (normally C+ average). You must apply for a course increase if you want to take more than 1.0 credits. Decisions made prior to final grades will be conditional and course loads will be adjusted if your CGPA falls below the requirements.

The Summer session is divided into two 6-week terms.

• Early Summer: Week of May 4 to June 16 (Exams: June 19-25)
• Late Summer: Week of July 4 to August 16 (Exams: August 19-25)
• Half-credit courses are usually offered in one term, and full credit courses normally span both terms, starting in May and ending in August.

A half-credit course costs approximately $670. If you take 1.0 credit or more, you are normally charged the Summer UPASS fee (approximately $240) as well as tuition. If you only take online courses, you may be able to opt out of the IPASS. For more information on this, visit Carleton.ca/upass/. See the fee estimator here and payment deadlines here.