The Complete Guide to Student Funding in Manitoba (2026)

Manitoba offers an underrated student funding landscape. The province combines some of the lowest tuition rates in Canada with a solid provincial student aid program, the Manitoba Bursary for low- and middle-income students, strong institutional scholarship programs at the University of Manitoba and the University of Winnipeg, and full access to federal grants that have been temporarily increased by 40%. For students who know where to look, Manitoba is one of the most affordable places to pursue post-secondary education in the country.

What many Manitoba students miss is the layering opportunity. Manitoba Student Aid, federal Canada Student Grants, the Manitoba Bursary, university entrance scholarships, and community awards can all be stacked together. A student who applies for everything available to them can often cover the majority of their education costs through non-repayable funding alone.

This guide covers every major student funding source in Manitoba for 2026. Provincial loans and grants, the Manitoba Bursary, university entrance awards, federal grants, community scholarships, savings programs, and tax benefits. Whether you are entering university for the first time, attending a college program, or returning to school as a mature student, this is your complete roadmap.

Manitoba Student Aid: Loans and Grants

Manitoba Student Aid is the provincial student financial assistance program. It integrates with the federal Canada Student Financial Assistance Program so that a single application covers both provincial and federal funding. You apply once, and both levels of government assess your eligibility simultaneously.

How Manitoba Student Aid Works

When you submit a Manitoba Student Aid application, the system evaluates your financial need based on your educational costs (tuition, fees, books, supplies), your living costs (whether you live at home or away from home), your income and assets, your parents' income (for dependent students), your spouse's income (if applicable), and your course load and program length.

Based on that assessment, Manitoba Student Aid calculates a total funding package that may include:

• Manitoba Bursary (provincial, non-repayable)
• Canada Student Grant (federal, non-repayable)
• Manitoba Student Loan (provincial, repayable)
• Canada Student Loan (federal, repayable)

You do not choose how the funding is split between grants, bursaries, and loans. The system determines this based on your assessed financial need and the current policy rules.

Canada Student Grants-Only Option

A significant development for 2025-2026: Manitoba Student Aid now offers a Canada Student Grants Only Option for full-time applicants. This allows you to receive the federal grants you are eligible for without taking on any loan funding. If you want free money but do not want debt, this option lets you access grants while declining the loan component.

This is a meaningful change for students who have partial funding from other sources (family support, savings, part-time work, scholarships) and want to top up with grants without committing to repayable loans.

Manitoba Student Loans

Manitoba student loans carry important borrower protections:

• Interest-free while studying: You pay no interest on your Manitoba student loan while enrolled in full-time studies
• Six-month grace period: After you leave school, you have six months before repayment begins. During this period, no interest accrues on the provincial portion
• Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP): If your income is low after graduation, RAP can reduce or eliminate your monthly payments
• Interest rate: Manitoba student loans accrue interest at prime rate after the grace period ends

Combined with federal loan protections (Canada Student Loans are interest-free), Manitoba student debt is manageable for most graduates who use the repayment assistance tools available.

Manitoba Bursary

The Manitoba Bursary is an up-front, non-repayable bursary of up to $2,000 available to students who are low- or middle-income. It is disbursed at the beginning of your study period as part of your Manitoba Student Aid funding package.

Indigenous learners who self-identify on their Manitoba Student Aid application may be eligible for an additional Manitoba Bursary.

The Manitoba Bursary is calculated and disbursed automatically -- there is no separate application. You receive it as part of your Manitoba Student Aid assessment if you meet the income thresholds.

Short-Term Program Disbursement

For programs with a duration of 17 weeks or less, Manitoba Student Aid will disburse the full amount of funding at the start of the study period. This ensures students in short-term programs (such as accelerated certificates or intensive training) receive the financial support they need upfront rather than having funding split across terms.

Canada Student Grants (Federal)

Through your Manitoba Student Aid application, you are also assessed for federal Canada Student Grants:

• Canada Student Grant for Full-Time Students (CSG-FT): Up to $4,200 per year (approximately $525 per month of study). This reflects a temporary 40% increase over the pre-pandemic level of $3,000, extended through the 2026-2027 academic year
• Canada Student Grant for Part-Time Students (CSG-PT): Up to $2,520 per academic year
• Canada Student Grant for Students with Dependants (CSG-FTDEP): An additional $280 per month per dependant (up to $2,240 per year per dependant for an eight-month period)
• Canada Student Grant for Part-Time Students with Dependants (CSG-PTDEP): Up to $2,688 per academic year
• Canada Student Grant for Students with Permanent Disabilities (CSG-D): Up to $2,800 per academic year
• Grant for Services and Equipment for Students with Disabilities (CSG-DSE): Up to $20,000 per academic year for disability-related educational costs

These federal grants are non-repayable and are included automatically in your Manitoba Student Aid assessment.

How to Apply

Applications for the 2025-2026 academic year are submitted online through the Manitoba Student Aid website at manitobastudentaid.ca. Processing may take up to six weeks or longer during peak times, so apply as early as possible.

To be eligible, you must be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or protected person; be a Manitoba resident; and be studying at a designated school and program. To maintain eligibility, you must pass at least 60% of a full course load in each term.

Use the FundMyCourse Funding Calculator to estimate your total Manitoba Student Aid package before you apply.

University of Manitoba Scholarships

The University of Manitoba (UM) distributes over $3.5 million in entrance scholarships to new students each year, making it one of the most generous scholarship programs in the prairies.

General Entrance Scholarships

Most entrance scholarships at UM are based on demonstrated academic excellence in the last one or two years of high school. The key feature: all new UM students are considered for a wide range of entrance scholarships and awards simply by applying for admission and submitting transcripts. No separate scholarship application is required for most entrance awards.

Entrance scholarship values start at a minimum of $1,000 and increase based on your admission average. The strongest applicants can receive significantly higher awards.

Application Deadline

The admission application and entrance scholarship consideration deadline for Fall 2026 is June 30, 2026. However, applying earlier gives you access to a wider range of awards, so do not wait until the last minute.

Bursaries for Current Students

The University of Manitoba also offers a substantial bursary program for students with demonstrated financial need. Bursaries are separate from merit-based scholarships and do not need to be repaid. Notable bursaries include:

• Fairfax Financial Holdings Ltd. Bursaries: Three annual bursaries valued at $6,000 each
• Various donor-funded bursaries: Hundreds of bursaries funded by alumni and community donors, ranging from $500 to several thousand dollars

Continuing Student Awards

After your first year, UM offers hundreds of scholarships, prizes, and awards based on academic performance, program of study, and other criteria. These are administered through the Financial Aid and Awards office and many are awarded automatically based on your academic record.

Graduate Student Funding

For graduate students, UM offers competitive funding packages including teaching and research assistantships, university fellowships, and external scholarship support. The Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies coordinates graduate funding.

University of Winnipeg Scholarships

The University of Winnipeg distributes over $6 million in scholarships, awards, and bursaries annually, plus more than $20 million in annual government student aid to assist students with their education costs.

Automatic Entrance Awards

The University of Winnipeg offers Special Entrance Scholarships that are awarded automatically based on your admission average during the regular admissions process. No separate application is required for these awards.

For the 2025-2026 academic year, additional scholarships valued at $1,000 are available to the top five entering students.

Application-Based Entrance Scholarships

Beyond the automatic awards, the University of Winnipeg offers entrance scholarships that require a separate application. These may consider factors beyond grades, including community involvement, leadership, and financial need.

Louis Riel Bursaries

The University of Winnipeg administers the Louis Riel Bursaries for Metis students. During the 2025-2026 academic year, over $200,000 was granted to 131 recipients, with individual awards valued between $1,300 and $2,000.

Continuing Student Awards

The university's online scholarship application system matches students to award opportunities based on academic record, financial need, student background, and extracurricular activities. Complete the application through the University of Winnipeg Awards portal.

Graduate Student Funding

The University of Winnipeg Graduate Studies Scholarship (UWGSS) is valued at $15,000 for one year of full-time study and $7,500 for one year of part-time study. This award is not automatically renewable but can be applied for in subsequent years.

Brandon University Scholarships

Brandon University, Manitoba's other public university, is generous in awarding financial support, distributing a total of $3.8 million in scholarships and bursaries.

Board of Governors Entrance Scholarships

Brandon University offers automatic entrance scholarships based on your high school average:

• GPA of 95% or higher: $2,000 entrance scholarship
• If your Grade 12 average is higher than your Grade 11 average, your award amount may be increased

To be considered, simply apply to Brandon University and submit your high school transcript by June 30. No separate scholarship application is required.

Advanced Placement Scholarship

The Board of Governors Entrance Scholarship: Advanced Placement rewards students entering their first year who demonstrated strong performance in AP courses during high school. Graduates of Canadian high schools with AP results are automatically considered based on their General Application.

Continuing Student Awards

Brandon University offers a range of scholarships and bursaries for continuing students based on academic merit and financial need. Contact the Student Awards office for details.

Red River College Polytechnic and Other Institutions

Manitoba's college and polytechnic sector also offers financial support:

Red River College Polytechnic

Red River College Polytechnic (RRC Polytech) offers entrance scholarships, bursaries, and awards for students in diploma, certificate, and applied degree programs. Many awards are administered through the Student Awards office, and students should complete the internal scholarship application after acceptance.

Assiniboine Community College

Assiniboine Community College offers scholarships and bursaries for students in its programs. External donors and industry partners contribute to the awards pool.

Universite de Saint-Boniface

Manitoba's French-language university offers scholarships for francophone students, including entrance awards and continuing student scholarships.

All Manitoba post-secondary institutions have their own awards offices. Check with each school you are considering -- the application process and deadlines vary.

Federal Scholarships and National Awards

Manitoba students are eligible for all national scholarship programs open to Canadian students. These are often the largest awards available and are highly competitive.

Schulich Leader Scholarships

The Schulich Leader Scholarship is one of Canada's most prestigious STEM entrance awards. It is offered at partner universities across Canada. Awards are valued at up to $120,000 over four years for Engineering students and $100,000 for Science, Technology, or Mathematics students.

Candidates must be nominated by their high school. If you are a Grade 12 student with strong academic performance and leadership in STEM, ask your school guidance counsellor about the nomination process.

Loran Scholars Foundation

The Loran Award provides up to $100,000 over four years, including tuition, living stipend, and summer internship funding. It recognizes character, service, and leadership potential. Applications open in the fall for the following year's entry class.

TD Scholarships for Community Leadership

TD awards up to 20 scholarships of $70,000 each year to students who demonstrate community leadership. These are open to all Canadian students, including those attending Manitoba institutions.

Terry Fox Humanitarian Award

This national award provides $28,000 over four years (renewable) and recognizes students involved in humanitarian and voluntary activities. Manitoba students are eligible.

Browse our full scholarship database to find national awards you qualify for.

Community and External Scholarships

Beyond government and university funding, hundreds of community-based scholarships are available to Manitoba students. These tend to be smaller individually (typically $500 to $5,000) but they add up, and competition is often lower because fewer students apply.

Where to Look

• Your high school guidance office: Most schools maintain a list of local scholarships with deadlines throughout the spring
• Your parents' employers: Many companies offer dependent scholarships
• Community organizations: Rotary clubs, Lions clubs, cultural associations, Indigenous organizations, and faith-based groups all offer awards
• Professional associations: If you are entering a specific field (engineering, nursing, agriculture, trades), check the relevant professional association for student awards
• The Makmakeeng Niibin Foundation and other Indigenous-focused organizations: Offer awards for Indigenous students in Manitoba

Industry-Specific Manitoba Scholarships

Manitoba's economy creates unique scholarship opportunities:

• Agriculture and agribusiness scholarships: Manitoba's strong agricultural sector funds student awards through organizations like the Manitoba Canola Growers Association and various commodity groups
• Aerospace and manufacturing scholarships: Manitoba's aerospace industry (including companies like Boeing, Magellan Aerospace, and StandardAero) supports student awards
• Healthcare scholarships: Manitoba Health organizations and foundations fund nursing, medical, and allied health student awards
• Hydro-electric and energy scholarships: Manitoba Hydro offers student awards and co-op opportunities
• Trades scholarships: Apprenticeship awards and trades-specific funding are available through various Manitoba organizations

Use the FundMyCourse scholarship search to filter for Manitoba-specific awards matching your profile.

Savings Programs: RESP, CESG, and CLB

If you are a parent planning ahead, or a student whose family started saving early, registered savings programs can be a major source of funding.

Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP)

An RESP is a tax-sheltered savings account specifically for post-secondary education. Contributions are not tax-deductible, but investment growth inside the account is tax-deferred. When funds are withdrawn for education, the growth portion is taxed in the student's hands (usually at a very low rate, since most students have little income).

Canada Education Savings Grant (CESG)

The federal government matches RESP contributions through the CESG: 20% on the first $2,500 contributed each year, up to a maximum of $500 per year and a lifetime maximum of $7,200 per child. Lower-income families may qualify for an additional CESG of up to $100 per year.

Canada Learning Bond (CLB)

The CLB provides up to $2,000 for children from lower-income families, deposited directly into an RESP. No family contribution is required. The CLB provides $500 in the first year and $100 each subsequent year until the child turns 15. Many eligible families do not claim this benefit -- check your eligibility on the Canada.ca website.

Manitoba-Specific Note

Manitoba previously offered the Manitoba Tuition Fee Income Tax Rebate, which returned a portion of tuition costs to graduates who stayed in Manitoba. This program has been eliminated for 2024 and subsequent tax years, and any unused amounts from previous years are also not claimable. Students who were counting on this rebate should adjust their financial planning accordingly.

For a detailed breakdown of RESP strategies, see our RESP and CESG Guide.

Student Tax Credits and Benefits

Tax benefits are the most overlooked source of student funding. They do not put cash in your pocket today, but they reduce your tax burden during and after school.

Tuition Tax Credit

The federal tuition tax credit allows you to claim the eligible tuition fees you paid during the tax year. The credit is calculated at 15% of your tuition. If you cannot use the full credit in the current year, you can carry it forward to future years (indefinitely) or transfer up to $5,000 of the current year's credit to a parent, grandparent, or spouse.

Manitoba does not offer a separate provincial tuition tax credit, but the federal credit remains valuable.

Student Loan Interest Deduction

Interest paid on government student loans (both Manitoba and Canada) is eligible for a 15% non-refundable federal tax credit. You can claim the interest in the year you paid it or carry it forward for up to five years.

GST/HST Credit

Full-time students aged 19 or older who file a tax return may qualify for the GST/HST credit, which provides quarterly payments of up to several hundred dollars per year based on your income.

Manitoba Personal Tax Credits

Manitoba offers a basic personal amount and other non-refundable tax credits that benefit students. File your Manitoba tax return every year to take advantage of all available credits.

Funding for Specific Groups

Indigenous Students

Indigenous students in Manitoba have access to additional funding sources:

• Post-Secondary Student Support Program (PSSSP): Funding provided through Indigenous Services Canada to eligible First Nations and Inuit students. Contact your band council or Inuit organization for application details
• University of Winnipeg Louis Riel Bursaries: Over $200,000 distributed annually to Metis students
• Manitoba Metis Federation education supports: Various scholarships and bursaries for Metis students
• Indspire: A national Indigenous organization that awards millions in bursaries and scholarships annually
• Additional Manitoba Bursary: Indigenous learners who self-identify may be eligible for additional Manitoba Bursary funding through Manitoba Student Aid

Students with Disabilities

• Canada Student Grant for Students with Permanent Disabilities: Up to $2,800 per year
• Grant for Services and Equipment for Students with Disabilities: Up to $20,000 per year for disability-related educational costs
• Manitoba Student Aid disability supports: Additional funding for students with documented permanent disabilities

Mature and Part-Time Students

• Canada Student Grant for Part-Time Students: Up to $2,520 per year
• Manitoba Student Aid accepts applications from part-time students
• Many institutional bursaries and scholarships are open to part-time and mature students -- check with your school's awards office
• The Canada Student Grants Only Option is available for full-time students who want grants without loans

Building Your Manitoba Funding Stack

The students who pay the least out of pocket are the ones who layer multiple funding sources. Here is a practical approach for Manitoba students:

Step 1: Apply for Manitoba Student Aid

This is your foundation. One application covers both provincial and federal loans and grants, plus the Manitoba Bursary. Apply as early as possible -- processing takes up to six weeks or longer during peak times. Consider the grants-only option if you have other funding sources and do not want loans.

Step 2: Apply for University Entrance Awards

At the University of Manitoba, simply applying for admission and submitting transcripts is enough to be considered for most entrance scholarships. At the University of Winnipeg, complete the awards application through the online portal. At Brandon University, submit your transcript by June 30.

Step 3: Search for External Scholarships

Use the FundMyCourse scholarship database to find community, industry, and national awards matching your profile. Apply to at least ten. The smaller awards ($500 to $2,000) often have fewer applicants and better odds.

Step 4: Maximize Savings and Tax Benefits

If you have an RESP, coordinate withdrawals for maximum tax efficiency. File your tax return every year, even if your income is zero, to claim tuition credits and qualify for the GST/HST credit.

Step 5: Check for Continuing Awards

After your first year, check with your institution's awards office for continuing student scholarships, prizes, and bursaries. Many are awarded automatically based on your academic record, but some require a separate application.

Key Deadlines for 2026

Final Thoughts

Manitoba students have access to a funding ecosystem that combines low tuition, strong provincial student aid, automatic university entrance scholarships, and all the federal grants and national scholarships available to every Canadian student. The Manitoba Bursary and the grants-only option through Manitoba Student Aid make it possible for low- and middle-income students to access significant non-repayable funding without taking on debt.

The key is not to leave money on the table. Apply for Manitoba Student Aid. Complete your university's scholarship application. Search for external awards. File your taxes. Layer every source of funding available to you.

Start your search today with the FundMyCourse scholarship database and use our Funding Calculator to build your personalized funding plan.