Georgian College Admissions 2026: Application Deadline, Eligibility & Fees

Georgian College Admissions 2026: Application Deadline, Eligibility & Fees

Barrie, OntarioLocation
CollegeSchool type
Estd1967established year
13000enrollment
Public
Partner [6 Courses]
7.5/10
Study Abroad Team's profile photo

Study Abroad Team

Updated on - Sep 26, 2026

Georgian College admissions are open for Indian students through the college’s direct Applicant Portal, with year-round applications for its Fall, Winter, and Summer intakes, requiring Class XII with Grade 12 English and Math at the diploma level or a Bachelor’s degree for graduate certificates plus a minimum IELTS of 6.0.

  • Next live deadline: Fall 2027 (September 2027, primary intake) applications are open now with rolling admission until seats fill.
  • Base tuition: CAD 16,990 to CAD 20,450 per year (around ₹11.52 Lakhs to ₹13.87 Lakhs), plus a non-refundable application fee of CAD 100 (around ₹6,780).
  • Eligibility floor: UG diploma needs Class XII with Grade 12 English and Math and IELTS 6.0; graduate certificate needs a Bachelor’s degree and IELTS 6.5.
  • Acceptance rate: not officially published, but estimated at 60 to 70% for most programs, with healthcare and trades pathways more selective.

Indian applicants at Georgian College favour Practical Nursing, Computer Programming, Business Administration, and the Graduate Certificates in Big Data Analytics and Project Management. Student reviews consistently flag the strong co-op integration and 90.3% graduate employment rate as the reasons they picked Georgian over larger Ontario universities.

Admission Status. Open. Georgian College accepts international applications year-round through its direct Applicant Portal (mygclife.ca). The Fall 2027 intake is the primary window for most programs and applications are open now; the closest actionable milestone is the Winter 2027 fee payment deadline of October 2026. Application fee is CAD 100 (around ₹6,780) and is non-refundable.
Currency note: All INR figures in this article use CAD 1 = ₹67.80, the live rate on 26 September 2026. Live rates may vary, so confirm with your bank before remitting.

Georgian College Application Deadlines for Indian Students

Georgian College runs on rolling admissions across three intakes each year, with the Fall intake carrying the widest program spread. Per the Georgian College international admissions page, application cycles open at least one year before the term starts and close as soon as seats fill, so Indian applicants should aim for their submissions three to four months ahead of the intake to leave visa headroom.

Georgian’s primary intake for Indian students is Fall (September) — most programs open here.

IntakeLevelApps OpenRecommended Apply-ByFee Payment DueApp Fee
Winter 2027 (January 2027)UG and PGOpen nowOctober 2026October 2026CAD 100 (₹6,780)
Summer 2027 (May 2027)UG and PGOpen nowJanuary 2027February 2027CAD 100 (₹6,780)
Fall 2027 (September 2027) — Primary intakeUG and PGOpen nowMay 2027June 2027CAD 100 (₹6,780)

Planning note: Georgian releases offers first-come, first-served. Popular programs like Practical Nursing and the Graduate Certificate in Project Management often close two to three months before the recommended apply-by date.


Georgian College Eligibility for Indian Students

Eligibility at Georgian College splits into academic thresholds and English-language proof. The academic floor is set at the program level, while English requirements follow a single institution-wide grid published on the international admissions page. Indian applicants must clear both.

  • Diploma or certificate: Class XII with Grade 12 English and Grade 12 Math, typically at 60 to 65 percent overall.
  • Bachelor’s degree program: Class XII at 65 percent or higher with the subject prerequisites listed on the program page.
  • Graduate certificate (PG): a completed three or four-year Bachelor’s degree from a recognised Indian university, usually at 60 to 65 percent, in a field related to the program.

English-language minimums vary by credential level. Georgian accepts IELTS Academic, TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, Duolingo, CAEL, and MELAB.

TestDiploma or CertificateDegree or Graduate Certificate
IELTS Academic6.0 overall, no band below 5.56.5 overall
TOEFL iBT7989
PTE Academic5861
Duolingo English Test110120

Georgian College IELTS Waiver for Indian Students

Georgian publishes a formal English-test exemption. Indian applicants can qualify if they completed at least three full years of secondary schooling in English in a country where English is a primary language of instruction, or hold an Ontario Secondary School Diploma with a Grade 12 English credit. Standard Indian CBSE, ICSE, or state-board Class XII English does not automatically waive the test, but a school-issued Medium of Instruction letter is worth submitting with your application for review.

Insider note: Pharmacy Technician and BScN Nursing carry program-specific English floors above the institution-wide minimum. Pharmacy Technician needs IELTS 6.5 with no band below 6.0, so check the program page before you sit the test.

Note: Program-specific entry requirements, fees, and intake availability may differ from the institution-wide minimums shown above. Always confirm on the official Georgian College admissions page for your chosen program before applying.


Georgian College PG Programs and English Scores

Postgraduate study at Georgian College is delivered through Graduate Certificate programs. These are one-year or two-year, industry-aligned qualifications that Indian graduates commonly use as a Canadian entry route into fields like analytics, project management, and digital marketing. Base tuition sits between CAD 17,900 and CAD 19,280 per year (around ₹12.14 Lakhs to ₹13.07 Lakhs); see the course-wise fees breakdown for the full list.

ProgrammeDurationMinimum EligibilityEnglish Req. Min.
Graduate Certificate in Big Data Analytics1 yearBachelor’s in Computer Science, IT, Engineering, Math or StatisticsIELTS 6.5
Graduate Certificate in Project Management1 yearBachelor’s degree in any field, 60 percent or higherIELTS 6.5
Graduate Certificate in Human Resources Management1 yearBachelor’s in Business, Commerce, or related fieldIELTS 6.5
Graduate Certificate in Digital and Content Marketing1 yearBachelor’s degree with marketing or business exposureIELTS 6.5
Graduate Certificate in Global Business Management2 yearsBachelor’s degree, minimum 60 percentIELTS 6.5
Graduate Certificate in Research Analyst1 yearBachelor’s in Business, Social Sciences, or relatedIELTS 6.5
Graduate Certificate in Autonomous Vehicles1 yearBachelor’s in Electrical, Mechanical, Automotive, or Computer EngineeringIELTS 6.5
Graduate Certificate in Interactive Media Design1 yearBachelor’s in Design, IT, or related fieldIELTS 6.5

Insider note: The two-year Global Business Management stream is the most-picked PG option by Indian applicants because it maps neatly onto a three-year Post-Graduation Work Permit under Canadian rules.

Note: Program-specific entry requirements, fees, and intake availability may differ from the institution-wide minimums shown above. Always confirm on the official Georgian College admissions page for your chosen program before applying.


Georgian College UG Programs and English Scores

Undergraduate study at Georgian College runs across three credentials: two-year Ontario College Diplomas, three-year Ontario College Advanced Diplomas, and four-year Bachelor’s degrees. Most UG programs open in the Fall intake, with limited Winter and Summer starts for select streams. Base tuition ranges from CAD 16,990 to CAD 20,450 per year (around ₹11.52 Lakhs to ₹13.87 Lakhs) depending on credential type.

ProgrammeDurationMinimum EligibilityEnglish Req. Min.
Diploma in Business2 yearsClass XII with English and Math, 60 percent or higherIELTS 6.0
Advanced Diploma in Business Administration3 yearsClass XII with English and Math, 60 percent or higherIELTS 6.0
Advanced Diploma in Computer Programming and Analysis3 yearsClass XII with Grade 12 Math (60 percent minimum)IELTS 6.0
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN)4 yearsClass XII with Biology, Chemistry, English and Math, 65 percent or higherIELTS 6.5
Diploma in Pharmacy Technician2 yearsClass XII with Biology, Chemistry and Math, 60 percent or higherIELTS 6.5 (no band below 6.0)

Reality check: The four-year BScN is the most competitive UG route for Indian applicants. Georgian caps international seats and screens on both academic percentage and English band scores, not overall alone.


Georgian College Application Process

International applicants apply directly through the Georgian College Applicant Portal at mygclife.ca. Georgian moved away from the OCAS International Application Service in favour of its own portal, so Indian applicants no longer route through OCAS. Expect three to four weeks for a decision on standard programs and six weeks or longer for competitive ones like Nursing.

  1. Create an account on the Georgian Applicant Portal and select up to three program choices in one application.
  2. Upload supporting documents (Class XII marks sheet, Bachelor’s transcripts if applying to PG, English test score, passport bio page).
  3. Pay the application fee of CAD 100 (around ₹6,780) through Flywire on the Applicant Portal.
  4. Track your file inside the portal; Georgian’s admissions team will request extra documents if the initial submission is incomplete.
  5. On receiving a conditional or full offer, accept it by paying the CAD 2,500 (around ₹1.70 Lakhs) non-refundable tuition deposit.
  6. Use the paid deposit receipt and Letter of Acceptance to apply for a Canadian study permit and, in Ontario, request your Provincial Attestation Letter through Georgian.

Before you apply: Bundle programs (a graduate certificate paired with a linked one) require a CAD 5,000 (around ₹3.39 Lakhs) deposit, split as CAD 2,500 per program. Check whether your target combination is a bundle before you accept the offer.


Georgian College Offer Letter Timeline and Deferral

Georgian College issues admission decisions on a rolling basis. Standard programs turn around a decision in three to four weeks after a complete file lands with the admissions team; competitive intakes take longer.

  • Conditional offer: issued when transcripts or English test scores are pending; converts to a full offer once documents clear.
  • Full offer: triggers the deposit and study-permit workflow; deposit is due by the date listed on the offer letter.
  • Confirmation deadline: the standard offer-acceptance date is May 1 for Fall, Winter, and Summer starts, though your personal deadline may fall earlier depending on when your offer was released.
  • Deferral policy: offers can typically be deferred once to the next intake if study-permit processing runs late; deferrals must be requested in writing before the term begins.

Georgian College Documents Required for Indian Students

Georgian College accepts the entire application dossier as scanned uploads on the Applicant Portal. Physical originals are not needed at the application stage. Keep every document in PDF with the file name matching the document type.

  • Passport bio page: valid for at least the length of your intended study.
  • Class X and Class XII marks sheets and passing certificates: issued by CBSE, ICSE, or the relevant state board.
  • Bachelor’s degree transcripts and consolidated marks card: required for graduate certificate applicants.
  • English test score report: IELTS, TOEFL iBT, PTE, Duolingo, CAEL, or MELAB, sent electronically to Georgian College.
  • Statement of Purpose: a short essay covering program fit, career goals, and Canadian study intent.
  • Updated CV or resume: mandatory for graduate certificate and mid-career applicants.
  • Work experience letters: where the program requires prior industry exposure.
  • Portfolio: required for design, media, and interactive media design streams.

Georgian College Acceptance Rate

Georgian College does not publish an official institutional acceptance rate. Based on its access-oriented community-college model and program-level cap patterns, the overall rate is estimated at 60 to 70%, with healthcare and skilled-trades pathways sitting well below that band.

What Drives Georgian College Admission Odds

Two factors move Georgian’s decisions the most: whether your academic percentages hit the program floor, and whether the intake still has seats when your file is complete. Rolling admission means late-cycle applicants face a tighter door even if their profile clears the minimums, so a well-timed submission matters as much as the marks. Program mix also matters — a graduate certificate in Global Business Management sees higher acceptance than the BScN.

How Indian Applicants Improve Their Chances

Submit your file at least four to six months before the target intake, hit the English band minimum on the first attempt, and choose a second program option that is less competitive. Applicants who list Nursing as their sole choice often lose the whole intake if the seat cap is hit; a paired diploma or graduate certificate keeps the file live. See the Georgian College ranking band for how it stacks against other Ontario public colleges.

Insider note: Indian applicants who apply with a Statement of Purpose that names a specific Georgian co-op employer (from the 6,200-partner list) report faster decisions on their file.


Canada Student Visa Process for Georgian College Students

Indian students admitted to Georgian College need a Canadian Study Permit, applied through IRCC (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada). Ontario requires an additional Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) as part of the study-permit file; Georgian issues the PAL to accepted students once the tuition deposit is paid.

The permit application costs CAD 150 (around ₹10,170) plus a biometrics fee of CAD 85 (around ₹5,763). Applicants must show proof of a Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) of CAD 20,635 (around ₹13.99 Lakhs), first-year tuition paid or on record, and additional funds for the accompanying family members where relevant. Financial proof usually takes the form of six-month bank statements, education-loan sanction letters from a scheduled bank, or a mix of the two.

Processing time for Indian applicants runs at eight to twelve weeks under the Student Direct Stream when eligibility is met, and longer through the regular stream. Book biometrics at a VFS Global centre once the online application is submitted. On arrival in Canada, register in person with the Segal International Centre at Georgian’s Barrie campus and complete the mandatory orientation.

2026 update: Canada’s international-student cap still applies for 2026 and 2027, so PAL issuance runs in a first-in-first-out order. Delay in accepting your Georgian offer directly delays your PAL and study-permit window.


Tips and Admissions Checklist for Georgian College

The following tips and steps are drawn from Indian-applicant patterns at Georgian College over recent intakes. They mix judgment-call advice with a timeline-anchored sequence so you can plan back from your target term.

  • Twelve months out: shortlist two Georgian programs (a competitive first choice plus a fallback) and register for IELTS or PTE.
  • Nine months out: sit the English test; retake once if you miss the band by 0.5, since Georgian does not average scores across sittings.
  • Six months out: request Class XII and Bachelor’s transcripts on the school and university letterhead — Indian boards take three to four weeks in peak season.
  • Four months out: submit the Georgian application, pay the CAD 100 (₹6,780) fee, and track it inside the Applicant Portal daily.
  • On offer: pay the CAD 2,500 (₹1.70 Lakhs) tuition deposit within 10 working days to secure the seat and trigger PAL issuance.
  • After PAL: open the GIC, gather financial proof, book biometrics, and file the study permit under the Student Direct Stream if eligible.
  • Two weeks pre-departure: pay outstanding first-term tuition by the term-specific deadline (October 2026 for Winter 2027; June 2027 for Fall 2027) to avoid the CAD 500 (₹33,900) late fee.
  • Check Georgian student reviews before finalising a program, especially for feedback on co-op placement quality by faculty.

Georgian College admissions reward early, complete applications and steady English scores over last-minute submissions. Get your English test out of the way first, apply four to six months ahead of your intake, and pair a competitive program choice with a safer second option to hedge against seat caps.

Georgian College Admissions: Frequently Asked Questions

Ques. What is the primary intake at Georgian College for Indian students?

Ans. Fall (September) is Georgian’s primary intake; the widest range of diplomas, degrees, and graduate certificates open in this term. Winter (January) and Summer (May) are secondary intakes with fewer program seats.

Ques. Does Georgian College still use OCAS for international applications?

Ans. No. Georgian moved international applications away from the OCAS International Application Service to its own Applicant Portal at mygclife.ca. The old OCAS IAS URL is now view-only for past applications.

Ques. What is the application fee at Georgian College?

Ans. The non-refundable application fee is CAD 100 (around ₹6,780), paid through Flywire on the Applicant Portal at the time of submission.

Ques. Is there an IELTS waiver for Indian students at Georgian College?

Ans. A waiver is available for applicants who completed three full years of secondary study in English in a country where English is a primary language. Standard Indian Class XII English does not automatically waive the test, but a Medium of Instruction letter can be submitted for review.

Ques. What is the minimum IELTS score for graduate certificates at Georgian College?

Ans. Graduate certificates require an IELTS overall of 6.5. TOEFL iBT 89, PTE 61, or Duolingo 120 are accepted alternatives.

Ques. How long does Georgian College take to release an admission decision?

Ans. Standard programs return a decision in three to four weeks after a complete file is submitted; competitive programs like BScN Nursing can take six weeks or longer.

Ques. Can Indian students defer a Georgian College offer?

Ans. Yes. Offers can typically be deferred once to the next intake if visa processing runs late. Deferral requests must be sent in writing to the Segal International Centre before the term begins.

Ques. What is the non-refundable tuition deposit at Georgian College?

Ans. Standard programs require a CAD 2,500 (around ₹1.70 Lakhs) deposit; bundle programs need CAD 5,000 (around ₹3.39 Lakhs) split across the two programs; an EAP-plus-postsecondary combination needs CAD 3,000 (around ₹2.03 Lakhs).

Ques. Are Class XII marks alone enough to apply to Georgian College?

Ans. For diplomas and certificates, yes, provided Class XII includes Grade 12 English and Math at the required percentage. Graduate certificates additionally need a completed Indian Bachelor’s degree in a related field.

Ques. Does Georgian College accept Class XII results from state boards?

Ans. Yes, Georgian evaluates CBSE, ICSE, and recognised state-board Class XII results equivalently. Percentages are read against the program-specific floor listed on the course page.

Ques. What happens if I miss the fee-payment deadline after accepting my offer?

Ans. A CAD 500 (around ₹33,900) late fee applies, and you may lose your seat if the balance is not cleared before registration. Fee-payment deadlines are October 2026 for Winter 2027, February 2027 for Summer 2027, and June 2027 for Fall 2027.

Ques. Do I need to apply separately for the Provincial Attestation Letter?

Ans. No. Georgian College issues the PAL directly once your tuition deposit is paid. You include the PAL with your study-permit application to IRCC.

Georgian College Program Fees & Deadlines

ProgramImportant DatesFeesApplication FeesEligibilityFinancial Aid
Early Consideration Application Deadline For Fall Intake (1st Feb 2026)
INR 11.6 L/Yr
CAD 16,990 /Yr
10075%, IELTS:6.0, TOEFL: 79, PTE: 58, Duolingo: 110
Equal Consideration Deadline (1st Feb 2026)
INR 12.3 L/Yr
CAD 17,948 /Yr
100IELTS:6.0, TOEFL: 79, PTE: 58, Duolingo: 110
Early Consideration Application Deadline For Fall Intake (1st Feb 2026)
INR 11.6 L/Yr
CAD 16,990 /Yr
10075%, IELTS:6.0, TOEFL: 79, PTE: 58, Duolingo: 110
Equal Consideration Deadline (1st Feb 2026)
INR 12.3 L/Yr
CAD 17,900 /Yr
100TOEFL- 89 | IELTS- 6.5 | Duolingo- 130 | PTE-61
Application Deadline For Fall Intake (1st Feb 2026)
INR 12.3 L/Yr
CAD 17,900 /Yr
100IELTS:6.5, TOEFL: 89, PTE: 61, Duolingo: 130
Equal Consideration Deadline (1st Feb 2026)
INR 12.3 L/Yr
CAD 17,900 /Yr
100TOEFL- 89 | IELTS- 6.5 | Duolingo- 130 | PTE-61
Application Deadline For Summer 2026 Intake (16th Feb 2026)
Application Deadline For Winter 2025 Intake (15th Jun 2026)
INR 11.1 L/Yr
CAD 16,154 /Yr
-TOEFL- 89 | IELTS- 6.5 | Duolingo- 130 | PTE-61
Application Deadline For 2026 Intake (1st Feb 2026)
INR 10.1 L/Yr
CAD 14,794 /Yr
100IELTS -6.0, TOEFL -79, PTE-58, Duolingo-110
-
Application Deadline For 2026 Intake (1st Feb 2026)
INR 10.1 L/Yr
CAD 14,794 /Yr
100IELTS -6.0, TOEFL -79, PTE-58, Duolingo-110
-
Application Deadline For 2024 Intake (1st Feb 2026)
INR 12.3 L/Yr
CAD 17,930 /Yr
100IELTS -6.0, TOEFL -79, PTE-58, Duolingo-110
-

Do you think the Dates are wrong ?  Report Here

Reviews


StreamDegree TypeStudent StatusNationalityBatchCourse
Sort By :
Newest First

Information Technology (4)
Business Analytics (3)
Data Science and Analytics (3)
Computer Science and Engineering (3)
Health Care (3)
Architecture (2)
Design (2)
Business (2)
Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (2)
Biotechnology (1)
Food Science (1)
Technology (1)
International Business (1)
Nursing (1)
Sports Sciences (1)
Tourism and Hospitality (1)
Sciences (1)
Operations Management (1)
Computer Science (1)
Campus (5)
Program (5)
Scholarship (5)
Semester (5)
Structure (5)
School (3)
Tuition Fee (3)
Choice (2)
Community (2)
Course Curriculum (2)
Experience (2)
Health (2)
On Campus Job (2)
Teacher (2)
Review (1)

25 Reviews Found

SK
7.0 /10
academic: 8/10
faculty: 9/10
infrastructure: 9/10
accomodation: 8/10
placement: 8/10

Scholarship

  • Although I did not receive a scholarship during my studies at Georgian College, it is important to note that the institution has a number of financial aid opportunities available to its students.
  • Scholarships and Bursaries at Georgian College:
  • International Entrance Scholarship: This ranges from $1,000 to $3,000 and is granted to new, eligible international students in their first semester. Limited numbers may be granted, and eligibility criteria generally include academic excellence, meeting program-specific requirements.
  • International Student Leadership Award: This $1,000 award is available to international students who have demonstrated leadership, are in good academic standing, and have completed at least one semester at Georgian College.
  • International Education and Training Entrance Scholarships: These scholarships, each worth $500, are awarded to deserving students pursuing or intending to pursue studies in targeted programs at Georgian College.
  • Award Amounts and Recipients:-It's important to note that in Canada, on average, the undergraduate student awards approximately $7,400 in scholarship, but the Georgian College standard for International students would lie between $500 and $3,000 depending on whether this is a scholarship or bursary. Similarly, the number of recipients will change every year by the availability of funds put forward and by the number of qualified applicants coming in. But it is projected that a huge chunk of students will receive some sort of financial help during studying.
  • Application Process:-Application for awards, scholarships, and bursaries is made easy at Georgian College through an online application process. One application can present the opportunity to be matched against many funding opportunities, simplifying access to financial support.

academic: 10/10
faculty: 10/10
infrastructure: 10/10
accomodation: 8/10
placement: 6/10
extracurricular: 10/10

AC
5.3 /10

Scholarship

  • Well, no scholarship because the system here is quite complicated and I didn't understand how it works.
  • I tried applications for lot scholarships but no response even after one year has been passed on.
  • So just this thing is where student desk lacks to help. There are options available on the website but quite difficult to understand and get information on.

academic: 8/10
faculty: 8/10
infrastructure: 6/10
accomodation: 6/10
placement: 2/10
extracurricular: 2/10

Overview

There are a plethora of reasons why I opted for Georgian, which are Engaged Faculty, Community Engagement, Modern facilities and technology program offerings, practical learning opportunities, and Industries connections.

Scholarship

AS Georgian College provides around 12 laks dollars in scholarships to students. also they provide a welcome Georgian scholarship to every international student evry year who begins their student life at Georgian college.

academic: 9/10
faculty: 9/10
accomodation: 10/10
placement: 9/10
extracurricular: 10/10

N
6.3 /10

Overview

LOR only for the college and had to submit other documents for visa purposes It had business course, and was close to my aunts home, so I took this course My experience at university was enriching and transformative. I engaged in rigorous academic pursuits, built lasting friendships, and participated in diverse extracurricular activities. The supportive environment nurtured personal growth and critical thinking, preparing me for future challenges. I cherished the opportunities for learning and self-discovery during my time there.

Scholarship

No

academic: 9/10
faculty: 9/10
infrastructure: 7/10
accomodation: 6/10
placement: 7/10

A
6.8 /10

Overview

My experience is pretty good till now. College and faculty are good and well versed and they are also helpful. Accommodation is also excellent. Overall the experience is excellent.

academic: 8/10
faculty: 8/10
infrastructure: 8/10
accomodation: 9/10
placement: 8/10

A
7.0 /10

Overview

My overall experience in the college is really pretty good as I have made many friends over here and even the teachers are good.

academic: 7/10
faculty: 9/10
infrastructure: 8/10
accomodation: 9/10
placement: 9/10

Overview

I would rate my experience 9.5/10 it was really good experience, very good education very good faculty very nice city very friendly staff good placements good opportunities good extra curriculum activities.

academic: 9/10
faculty: 9/10
infrastructure: 9/10
accomodation: 5/10
placement: 8/10

Overview

Georgian College is known for its diverse programs, modern facilities, and supportive learning environment, fostering students' growth and preparing them for successful careers. Many students appreciate the practical hands-on approach to education and the opportunities for real-world experiences through co-op placements and partnerships with industry.

academic: 10/10
faculty: 10/10
infrastructure: 10/10
accomodation: 8/10
placement: 10/10

Overview

It’s nice till now. Maths professors could be better in this college but the environment here in Barrie is quite nice and friendly.

academic: 8/10
faculty: 7/10
infrastructure: 8/10
accomodation: 7/10
placement: 6/10

Comments


No Comments To Show
Videos

interested in this College ?

Get free counselling