elementary school, which is 6 years old, until the age of 18.308 Furthermore, the educational services are to be provided free to every “resident” of Quebec.309 Students who are not resident in Quebec must pay fees established by the Minister of Education, Recreation and Sports.310 “Resident in Quebec” for the purposes of accessing free preschool, elementary and secondary school under the Education Act means a student who is a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident within the meaning of the IRPA and who is in one of the following situations: • The student was born in Québec or was adopted by a person who had his or her residence in Québec at the time of the adoption; • One of the student's parents or his or her sponsor has his or her residence in Québec; • The student's parents or sponsor are deceased and one of the parents or the sponsor had his or her residence in Québec at the time of the death; • The student maintains a residence in Québec even though his or her parents or sponsor have ceased to reside in Québec; • Québec is the last place where the student resided for 12 consecutive months while not pursuing full-time studies; • The student holds a selection certificate issued under the Act respecting immigration to Québec; • The student has been residing in Québec for at least 3 months without having resided in another province for more than 3 months; • The student resided in Québec for 3 consecutive years within the last 5 years (for bullet points 2, 4, 5 or 7); or • The student's spouse has or had his or her residence in Québec according to one of the preceding bullet points.311 In addition, the Government of Quebec has additional exceptions from obtaining a study permit for Quebec. The exceptions include: • Students who wish to enroll in a program or course lasting six months or less; • Recipients of Commonwealth scholarship or a full bursary (covering all expenses); • Participants in a Canadian aid program for developing countries; • The spouse and dependent children of diplomats, consular officers or international representatives or officials staying in Québec; • Minor children (under age 18): o Of preschool age (age 4 to 5); o At the primary or secondary level, already in Québec in the company of either parent who holds a work or study permit; • A minor child or the child of a person seeking asylum or is recognized as a refugee or a person in need of protection in Canada; • Holders of a valid Certificat de Sélection du Québec (CSQ-Québec Selection Certificate) Education Act, CQLR c I-13.3, at s. 1, available at: http://canlii.ca/t/52c6l [Quebec Education Act]. The age limit is 21 years old if the person is considered “handicapped” under the regulations. 309 Ibid., at s. 3. 310 Ibid., at s. 216. 311 Regulation respecting the definition of resident in Québec, CQLR c I-13.3, r 4, at s. 1, available at: http://canlii.ca/t/hqkq. 308 65 65