Student Loans
Government Student Financial Assistance (Loans and Grants)
The federal and provincial governments have established student financial
assistance programs for Canadian citizens and landed immigrants studying
at the post-secondary level. This aid is provided in the form of loans
and grants, on the basis of demonstrated
financial need. The appropriate provincial or territorial authorities
will evaluate your application and then provide funding, based on your
assessed financial need, in federal and/or provincial student loans or
grants. Government student loans are interest free while you are attending
full-time at a post-secondary institution. You begin repaying the loan
six months after you cease to be a full-time student. You must apply for
student financial assistance through the province you are considered to
be a resident of. For example, residents of Alberta will apply for federal
and provincial student financial assistance from Alberta Learning. The
Scholarships and Student Finance Office provides access to application
forms and advice concerning the federal and various provincial student
financial assistance programs.
 Alberta Student Finance |
 Canada Student Loans |
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 BC |
 ON |
 PEI |
 YK |
 SK |
 QC |
 NS |
 NT |
 MB |
 NB |
 NF |
 NU* |
*Students from Nunavut contact 1-877-860-0680 for Student Loan Application.
Personal Student Loans
If you do not qualify for a government student loan, many banks offer personal student loans or student lines of credit. For a personal loan, you pay only the interest while you are in school. You begin repayment of the principal when you cease to be a full-time student.
Unlike government student loans, these loans are not based on financial need.
To qualify for these loans you generally must have a co-signer (e.g. parent or guardian) and you are encouraged to have a regular part-time job so that you can make your monthly interest payment. Application for a personal student loan or a student line of credit can generally be made at your local bank.