Co-op fees – Faculty of Engineering

Co-op fees

Co-op fees and financial information

The co-op work-term fee is applied to a student’s financial record in Mosaic upon registering for a 4-month co-op work experience. It supports the operation of the co-op program and the services provided to students while seeking, preparing for and engaging in a work experience.

An annual fee of $100 will be charged to your Mosaic account each year that you are in the co-op program.

  • It is usually assessed in September.
  • If you join the co-op program at another time in the year, the first instalment of this fee will be charged in that term; all other instalments will be charged in September.
  • The fee will be due on the due date for the particular term. 

A fee of $400 is charged for each 4-month co-op term that you register.

  • This fee will be charged to your Mosaic student account when you are enrolled in the co-op course ENGINEER 2EC0 (BEng and CompSci student) or IBEHS 2EC0 (IBEHS students).
  • The fee will be due on the due date for the particular term. 

The Centre will enrol you in your co-op course when we process your co-op registration; you do not need to enrol yourself. 

A fee of $600 is charged for each 4-month co-op term that you register to a maximum of $1,800.

  • This fee will be charged to your Mosaic student account when you are enrolled in the co-op course ENGTECH 2EE0, ENGTECH 3EE0 or ENGTECH 4EE0.
  • The fee will be due on the due date for the particular term.  

The Centre will enrol you in your co-op course when we process your co-op registration; you do not need to enrol yourself. Also, when you have reached your maximum in co-op fees, our office will request a reversal of subsequent fees by the Registrar’s Office; this can take up to two weeks after you are enrolled in the co-op course.  

Because co-op is a mandatory component of their program, BTech students do not pay an annual co-op fee. 

A fee of $600 is charged for each 4-month co-op term that you register to a maximum of $1,200.

  • This fee will be charged to your Mosaic student account when you are enrolled in the co-op course ENGTECH 2ET0 or ENGTECH 3ET0.
  • The fee will be due on the due date for the particular term.
  • Students who have previous work experience may be eligible to count up to eight months of this experience towards the co-op requirement. Please refer to the “When Can I Work?” section on this page for more information. 

The Centre will enrol you in your co-op course when we process your co-op registration; you do not need to enrol yourself. Also, when you have reached your maximum in co-op fees, our office will request a reversal of subsequent fees by the Registrar’s Office; this can take up to two weeks after you are enrolled in the co-op course. 

Because co-op is a mandatory component of their program, BTech DCP students do not pay an annual co-op fee. 

Students on co-op jobs are eligible for interest-free status on their OSAP loans. However, you are responsible for submitting the required Continuation of Interest-Free Status form yourself.

Please visit the Registrar’s Office website for more information on OSAP. You should also contact the Registrar’s Office through the above link if you have any questions about OSAP or financial aid.

While the co-op fee is associated with work term registration, it’s not a placement fee. The fee contributes to:

  • Developing and managing employer partnerships and job postings
  • Creating and delivering employment preparation courses
  • Offering 1:1 career guidance and job search assistance
  • Facilitating/hosting events, workshops, and networking opportunities
  • Providing support to students during work term experiences, including crisis situations
  • Administering the program in alignment with academic degree requirements, national accreditation standards, university policies, external funding requirements and government tax credit regulations

Why do fees increase?

Incremental fee increases ensure the needs of students, workplaces and employers are acknowledged and supported alongside evolutions in the marketplace. 

Co-op fees for McMaster Engineering students were unchanged from 2009 until 2023. Consider the developments during that time:

  • Market Inflation: A 37% increase in market demands and costs.
  • Enrollment Growth: A 91% spike in undergraduate co-op student enrollment.
  • Work Term Opportunities: A 590% surge in available undergraduate co-op work terms.
  • Support Team Expansion: A 210% growth in staffing for top-notch support.
  • Salaries on the Rise: A 20% increase in average co-op salaries.

In 2023 the co-op fee for BEng, IBEHS and CompSci increased from $300/work term to $350/work term. In 2024, the fee increased to $400/work term. These moderate increases ensure adequate resources, support and quality programming are maintained and strengthened to meet the needs of students. Even with these increases, our fees remain the lowest co-op fees in the country.

How does a fee increase benefit me?

From improving your career readiness and strengthening connections with employers to streamlining resources and offering more networking opportunities, the investment is all about propelling you toward a more successful and rewarding co-op journey.

  1. Career Preparation: Expect more comprehensive programming to sharpen your job-seeking skills and secure better co-op opportunities.
  2. Employer Interaction: More employer presence at on-campus events and in workshop programming will connect you with more employers more often.
  3. Streamlined Resources: The OSCARplus system will be optimized to provide all essential information in one accessible place.
  4. Networking Opportunities: Additional events will facilitate connections with industry professionals and boost your job search and work experiences.

Fee increases aim to elevate your co-op journey by boosting career readiness, employer engagement, resource efficiency, and networking potential.

I found a co-op outside OSCARplus, why should I pay the co-op fee?

While the co-op fee is associated with work term registration, it’s important to note that it’s not a placement fee. The fee contributes to a range of services, including:

  • Developing and managing employer partnerships and job postings
  • Creating and delivering employment preparation courses
  • Offering 1:1 career guidance and job search assistance
  • Facilitating/hosting events, workshops, and networking opportunities
  • Providing support to students during work term experiences, including crisis situations
  • Administering the program in alignment with academic degree requirements, national accreditation standards, university policies, external funding requirements and government tax credit regulations

Paying the co-op fee doesn’t just secure your co-op position; it grants you access to a wealth of resources, guidance, and support that elevate your overall co-op experience.