Agencies are independent third parties who market their educational expertise.

1. Recruit International students who meet the academic and admission requirements of the College.
2. Counsel potential students and provide them with all the necessary information about Seneca, its programs, all its academic policies and procedures, various activities and services.
3. Review and validate academic credentials, bank loans (if applicable) and College requested information.
4. Pre-screen possible applicants to ensure their eligibility to enter Canada on a Study Permit.
5. Assist students in completing the online application form in English.
6. Be well versed in all programs, policies, procedures and services offered by Seneca, and sign to having read the Educational Agency Manual.
7. Represent Seneca in a professional, ethical and trustworthy manner while maintaining a professional image at all times.
8. Charge very little or no fees to the students, for your educational services.

What tips to look for in 'Choosing an Educational Consultant'?

It is the student's decision whether or not to use an educational consultant. No educational consultant has special access to our programs and services and no one can guarantee your admission to Seneca nor guarantee you a study permit. Seneca cannot monitor the business practices of independent educational agencies, so using an agency is the sole responsibility of the student and his/her family.

All the forms and guides you need to apply for any type of program are available for free on this website.

• Ask for recommendations from other students, now in Canada and studying, whom have used their services. Talk to several potential educational consultants before choosing one.
• Discuss what services they will provide and the fees for each and every service. Get this information in writing.
• Ask questions. You should be wary of a representative who refuses to answer your questions.
• Be careful of anything that sounds too good to be true.
• If you are choosing a representative in Canada, you can also contact the Better Business Bureau before making your choice. They can tell you if any complaints have been raised against immigration/educational representatives that operate in Canada.

If you go ahead and choose an educational representative:

• Make sure you get a written contract -- read it carefully before you sign it. Make sure that all the promised services are listed and the fee is clearly set out.
• Do not leave original academic documents, passport or tuition fee payments with the representative.
• Do not sign blank application forms. If the representative has forms or documents for you to sign, do not sign them unless you are able to read them. If you don't understand them, bring someone with you to translate. Make sure to get copies of any application form signed, or documents that are prepared for you, to be sent to Seneca, banks or the Canadian Embassy.
• Any time you make a services payment, get a signed receipt.
• Make sure, in writing, that the educational agency will give you your original 'Letter of Acceptance' to Seneca. You own that document, if you paid the application fee to Seneca.
• If you change your mind about your representative, you do not have to continue with them. You can change your representative at any time or deal directly with Seneca or the visa office yourself. If you change your representative, you must notify SENECA and the CIC. The best safeguard Seneca has against unethical educational consultants, is when students/family members report unprofessional conduct, immediately. Please contact: intl.agents@senecac.on.ca
• Seneca cannot be held responsible for unethical or unprofessional educational consultants. We ask for credentials and qualifications, but that is no guarantee that an educational consultant will operate his/her own independent business, in an ethical and professional manner. When choosing an educational representative, it is buyer beware

How to apply to become a Seneca Educational Consultant?
(Effective: November, 30, 2010)

**Please note: Step 1 - 3 are the NEW requirements to be considered as a Seneca Educational Consultant. A new Agent Application Form will be introduced shortly. Thank you for your patience.**

Experienced Educational Counselors interested in becoming an Educational Agent for Seneca College must:

Step 1:  Fully complete the On-line Agent Application Form.

Step 2:  Send Seneca:

1. Two (2) Letters of Reference from CANADIAN Government-funded (Public) Colleges and/or Universities you have successfully placed students with over the past several years.

   And, if applicable

2. Your agency's principle owner being a member in GOOD STANDING with CANADIAN SOCIETY OF IMMIGRATION CONSULTANTS - AND provides Seneca with a copy of that Canadian Certification yearly upon renewal with the SOCIETY which translates to Seneca that the owner who is in possession of this certification is validating that his/her education, knowledge and experience, and has agreed to comply with all the RULES OF PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT as outlined on the Society's website. Seneca expects the OWNER of their independent educational consultancy to fully communicate to all his/her staff, associates, and any and all business associates, in whatever capacity, they are accepting as their umbrella submission under their agency name.

3. Your official registration as a registered company in Canada or your official registration as a registered company operating within the policies and guidelines of your home country. Please provide Seneca with a complete copy.

4. A full disclosure listing of all your company branch offices, franchisees, sub-agencies (formally or informally) conducting business and/or submitting applications under your company profile to Seneca.

Step 2A:  CHINA (For Agents recruiting in China only) Interested Agents must have Certification from the China State Ministry of Education and a copy should be sent to Seneca.

Step 3:  Send a copy of the Agent Application Form along with all of the applicable documentation outlined above to:

Seneca Educational Agent Review Committee
International Student Development, Seneca College
1750 Finch Ave. East, Toronto, ON M2J 2X5 CANADA

NOTE: Applications missing the required information will NOT be reviewed, nor notified. Your application must include all items outlined/relevant above, or the application is deemed incomplete and will automatically expire from Seneca's records two months after the original submission date.