hi finance at
University of Guelph
Guelph is a compact campus with big first-year costs: residence paired with a mandatory meal plan, tuition due in mid-September, and optional insurance plans you can opt out of. This is what a year at U of G costs, which deadlines bite, and where the money goes once it lands.
$7,900–$11,100
Residence room, per year
U of G's own range for a residence room. The cheapest traditional doubles start at $9,092, but those require a meal plan — the Minimum plan adds $5,750 a year.
Source$5,750–$7,850
Meal plans 2026–27
Five plans from Minimum to Varsity. Basic dollars get a 25% discount at the register and no HST; flex dollars spend wider but carry no discount.
Source$25,000–$36,000
Estimated total first-year cost
U of G's estimate for an Ontario resident including tuition, compulsory fees, books, and personal expenses. Off-campus housing instead of residence moves you toward the lower end.
SourceResidence application deadline for first-year guarantee
Ontario high-school applicants with an offer by March 1 are guaranteed a residence space if they apply by April 15 and pay the $750 deposit by June 1. Out-of-province and Indigenous applicants get the guarantee by applying and paying the deposit by June 1.
Fall 2026 registration deposit $500
The deposit confirms your registration for the fall term. International students pay a $2,000 deposit on the same date.
Meal plan selection window
Returning and incoming residence students pick their plan through Service Selections. Traditional residences (North and South) require a plan; East towers and the apartment-style villages have kitchens and treat the plan as optional.
Fall 2026 tuition payment deadline
Your fall charges must be paid (or covered by confirmed OSAP) by this date. Late payment triggers a late fee, and a $50 financial sanction plus registration holds start September 30. Payment plan instalments fall on Sep 18, Oct 18, and Nov 18.
Health and dental opt-out
The Student Medical Plan ($200) and Student Dental Plan ($143) are already in your compulsory fees. If you're covered elsewhere, opt out through mystudentplan.ca before the deadline and the fee comes off your account.
Cheapest food on campus at Guelph (meal plans and free food)
Guelph meal plans run $5,750 a year, Basic dollars get a 25% discount and the CSA FoodBank hands out up to 30 items a month. Here's what actually adds up.
Guelph tuition due date: pay by September 18 (and other first-week deadlines)
O-Week 2026 at Guelph runs September 4–12. Fall tuition is due September 18, health and dental opt-out closes late September, and the registration deposit was due June 15. The calendar and the costs.
Guelph residence costs: what you'll actually pay
Guelph's cheapest residence is an $8,387 triple, but the mandatory meal plan in North and South pushes the real cost way up. Full fees and off-campus rent.
Hi Finance App
Your finances,
finally under control.
- Built-in budgeting & bank connection
- Grants, bursaries & scholarships
- Personalized advice, any time
- Built for Canadian students
Does the University of Guelph use OSAP?
Yes. U of G is an OSAP-approved Ontario university. Apply through OSAP and complete the application 8–10 weeks before your study period starts, so by early July for September. Out-of-province students apply through their home province's program instead.
Do I have to live in residence in first year at Guelph?
No. Residence isn't mandatory, but first-year students with an offer by March 1 are guaranteed a space if they apply by April 15 and pay the $750 deposit by June 1. Many Guelph students commute or rent off campus from the start.
Is the meal plan mandatory at Guelph?
Only in the traditional residences: North (Johnston, Lambton, Lennox-Addington, Watson, Mills, Maids) and South (Mountain, Prairie, Maritime). The East Residence towers and the apartment-style villages (East Village, West Village, Wellington Woods) have kitchens, so the meal plan there is optional.
What's the cheapest food on campus at Guelph?
The meal plan math works in your favour: Basic dollars carry a 25% discount at Hospitality locations and no HST, so a $12 purchase draws only $9 from the plan. If money is tight, the Guelph Student FoodBank gives registered students up to 30 items per visit, twice a month, and every undergrad already paid the $3.10 FoodBank fee in compulsory charges.
How do I get around Guelph without a car?
The Guelph Transit U-Pass ($163.10) is part of your compulsory fees, so city buses are included with your student card. Campus is compact enough to walk, and Late Night Bus service is covered too.
University of Toronto
Toronto, ON
Toronto Metropolitan University
Toronto, ON
York University
Toronto, ON
University of Waterloo
Waterloo, ON
Western University
London, ON
Queen's University
Kingston, ON
OCAD University
Toronto, ON
Wilfrid Laurier University
Waterloo, ON
Centennial College
Toronto, ON
Humber Polytechnic
Toronto, ON
George Brown Polytechnic
Toronto, ON
Stay in the loop
Join thousands of students who are already getting smarter about their money.