Quebec runs the most distinct student-funding system in Canada — AFE (Aide financière aux études) instead of federal Canada Student Loans, plus a deep stack of provincial bourses (scholarships) and university-specific entrance awards. Tuition for Quebec residents stays the lowest in the country, but the funding rules differ at almost every step.
Who this page is for
Quebec residents applying to post-secondary in Quebec or out-of-province. International students at Quebec universities should check institution-specific awards alongside provincial eligibility.
AFE — Programme prêts et bourses
The Programme de prêts et bourses (loans and bursaries) is Quebec’s combined student loan + grant program, administered by Aide financière aux études at afe.gouv.qc.ca. Quebec opts out of the federal Canada Student Loan Program — your application is provincial only.
- Bourses (grants): need-based; do not repay.
- Prêts (loans): provincial student loans; interest accrues per provincial rules.
- Parents’ contribution rules: Quebec calculates expected family contribution differently from other provinces. Many students who would qualify for federal aid elsewhere find Quebec’s calculation more generous.
FRQ — Quebec research awards
The Fonds de recherche du Québec splits into three streams for graduate + postdoctoral funding:
- FRQNT (Nature et technologies): STEM disciplines, master’s + doctoral.
- FRQS (Santé): health sciences.
- FRQSC (Société et culture): humanities + social sciences.
Each runs annual competitions with stipends in the $20,000-$35,000+ range plus research expenses.
Quebec universities and CEGEPs
- McGill University: One McGill, James McGill Scholarships, Ignatieff Scholarship, Wood Scholars Award.
- Université de Montréal (UdeM): Bourses d’excellence, bourses d’admission, Mérite first-year awards.
- Concordia University: Concordia Presidential Scholarship, In-Course Awards.
- Université Laval: Programme de bourses de leadership et développement durable, bourses d’admission.
- UQAM, Université de Sherbrooke: institutional entrance awards + need-based bursaries.
- CEGEPs: Many programs offer student-aid-eligible study + are AFE-funded.
Bourse Schulich Leaders (Quebec stream)
The Schulich Leader Scholarship — $100,000 for science/tech/math, $120,000 for engineering — accepts Quebec applicants alongside the rest of Canada. Quebec residents apply through their CEGEP or partner Quebec university.
Indigenous Quebec students
- First Nations Adult Education School Council: Quebec-specific First Nations awards.
- Indspire: national Indigenous funding administered alongside Quebec-specific streams.
- CSSSPNQL (Commission de la santé et des services sociaux des Premières Nations du Québec et du Labrador): bursary programs.
What our directory lists
Below: Quebec-eligible scholarships, grants, and bursaries currently in our directory. For the full Quebec student funding guide (AFE step-by-step, FRQ application timing, McGill vs UdeM funding compare), see the linked blog post.