FAQs for Parents
I'm calling on behalf of my son/daughter, can you tell me about his/her application?
How do I find out about my son's/daughter's progress?
Why I am not allowed to look into my son's/daughter's record if he/she is underage?
We are planning to travel this summer, when do classes start?
How much does it cost for my son/daughter to attend your college?
Does my son/daughter need a computer?
Who will notify me if my son/daughter is suffering from a physical or mental illness?
Can my son/daughter attend a student residence or dormitory while at Douglas College?
My son/daughter is commuting to your school, are you close to public transit?
Do you have an orientation program for new students? Can parents attend?
How can I book a tour of the College?
I'm calling on behalf of my son/daughter, can you tell me about his/her application?
Due to FOIPOP (Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act of 1992), we are unable to discuss a student's application with anyone, other than the student him/herself or an authorized person with written consent. We can answer general questions about the program or admission process but not anything specific to the student.
How do I find out about my son's/daughter's progress?
Douglas College expects students to take responsibility for meeting the requirements of the program and their success. FOIPOP (Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act) prevents Douglas College from releasing personal information to anyone without a written consent. This means Douglas College does not release any information pertaining to a student's academic record including information on admissions, awards, and grades to his or her parents. Therefore, we suggest that you talk to your son/daughter directly.
Why I am not allowed to look into my son's/daughter's record if he/she is underage?
Douglas College adheres to the FOIPOP (Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act) in handling student information received by Douglas College for the purposes of admission and registration. It should be noted that the FOIPOP is not restricted by age, thus students under the age of 18 years still has control of their personal information.
My son/daughter is attending your College and I want to guarantee that his/her credits will transfer everywhere - BC, out of province, and to the USA.
Students may use the BC Transfer Guide to see how their courses transfer between institutions in BC. If a student wants to know if their courses will be accepted by another institution outside of BC then they need to contact that institution directly and inquire with them. Transfer Credit is always determined by the receiving Institution, there is no guarantee by the College that courses will be accepted elsewhere outside of BC. We do not have an international transfer agreement or an out of province agreement.
We are planning to travel this summer, when do classes start?
Please refer to dates and deadlines in the College Calendar.
How much does it cost for my son/daughter to attend your college?
Cost of a course is determined by the credit value of a course. A complete tuition fee schedule can be found at Tuition Fees. Typically a two year diploma will cost approximately $10,000 including books, etc. Detailed information about costs by program is listed at Program Costs.
Does my son/daughter need a computer?
Having a personal computer will certainly make it easier for your son or daughter to access Douglas College services. If he or she does not have access to a computer at with internet connection, there are computer labs with Internet connection available at both campuses.
My son/daughter has a scholarship/RRSP/Education savings plan and needs to have this form filled out. When should it be completed?
The Enrolment Verification form can only be completed once the student has registered in courses. Students who have been asked to submit this form to the agency prior to their registration date must contact the agency directly and ask for an extension.
My son/daughter has Medical and Dental coverage from me, why was he/she charged the Medical and Dental fee?
All students who register in 9 credits or more for the Fall semester are automatically charged the Medical and Dental fee through the Douglas Students' Union (DSU). If students already have medical and dental coverage, they may choose to opt-out by completing the Opt-out form by the required date. This form is available in the online Registration Guide.
What support services are available for students who experience personal difficulties while at Douglas College?
Douglas College offers a wide range of services for students who are experiencing personal and academic difficulties. These support services are available from the Student Services department. Additional Information is available on the Student Services website.
Who will notify me if my son/daughter is suffering from a physical or mental illness?
The college is prohibited by law to notify a parent about a student's physical or mental health concerns, unless the student provides written consent to the college to notify his/her parents. We recommend you talk to your son or daughter about how you wish to manage these situations.
Can my son/daughter live in a student residence or dormitory while at Douglas College?
Douglas College does not offer student residences or dormitories at either campus location. The Douglas Students' Union does offer a housing registry service for students. The Centre for International Education also offers a Homestay Program, which allows international students to stay with Canadian families while they study at Douglas College.
My son/daughter is commuting to your school, are you close to public transit?
Many students commute to Douglas by transit. Our New Westminster Campus is located one block from the New West SkyTrain station. The Coquitlam Campus, located 1 km north of the Coquitlam Centre Mall, is served by several bus routes and will be the future terminus of SkyTrain's Evergreen Line. You may get information on driving directions and transit routes from New Westminster Campus and Coquitlam (David Lam) Campus.
Do you have an orientation program for new students? Can parents attend?
The Office for New Students (ONS) team is responsible for offering orientation to new students and their parents. For more information, please visit the Parents' Page.
How can I book a tour of the College?
You are welcome to book a tour of our great facilities at free tour. Family members and classmates are encouraged to attend. It is customized for your interests and is available at both New Westminster and Coquitlam Campuses.

