Canada Apprentice Loan
$ 20,000
Rolling
Up to $4,000 interest-free per period of technical training (cumulative up to $20,000)
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Canada Apprentice Loan
Up to $4,000 interest-free per training period and $20,000 in total for registered Red Seal apprentices outside Quebec. No interest until you finish.
Reviewed by G Paul · verified August 31, 2026
$20,000
Total value
What you will need
- Online application via canada.ca
- Proof of registration as an apprentice in a designated Red Seal trade (provincial / territorial apprenticeship authority document)
- Proof of citizenship / permanent residency
- Social Insurance Number
- Proof of enrolment in an upcoming or current technical training period
- Bank account for direct deposit
About this award
The Canada Apprentice Loan is the Government of Canada's primary financial support for apprentices in the skilled trades — providing up to $4,000 in interest-free loans per period of technical training, with cumulative access up to $20,000 across the duration of your apprenticeship. The money covers tuition, tools, equipment, living expenses, foregone wages while you're in technical training, and family support. Critically, you do not have to make payments on the loan, and no interest accrues, until after you complete or leave your apprenticeship training program. This makes it functionally a deferred-interest loan: you borrow during training, then begin repayment with interest only once you finish or leave. Available in every province and territory EXCEPT Quebec — Quebec has its own provincial apprenticeship aid through the AFE Programme de prêts et bourses. Apply as early as 3 months before your technical training begins; you can receive funding as early as day one of training while your Employment Insurance claim is processed for payment. The loan was made more central to federal apprenticeship support after the Apprenticeship Incentive Grant (AIG) and Apprenticeship Completion Grant (ACG) closed on March 31, 2025 — apprentices outside Quebec now rely primarily on the Canada Apprentice Loan, EI benefits during technical training, and any provincial trades aid.
Who qualifies
You qualify for the Canada Apprentice Loan if you (1) are a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or protected person; (2) are registered as an apprentice in a designated Red Seal trade with your provincial or territorial apprenticeship authority; and (3) are not a Quebec resident (Quebec apprentices use the AFE Programme de prêts et bourses through afe.gouv.qc.ca instead). Both new and ongoing apprentices may apply, as long as you have technical training periods remaining in your apprenticeship program. The Red Seal trade requirement is critical — non-Red-Seal trades (some provincially-regulated trades) are not eligible for this program; check the Red Seal Program list on canada.ca to verify your specific trade is eligible.
This is what the award's own page said when we last checked. Rules change, so confirm with the provider before you apply.
- Canadian citizen, permanent resident or protected person
- Open to trades students
- Resident of Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Northwest Territories, Nunavut, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Saskatchewan or Yukon
- Studying red seal trades
How to apply
Read the award's own page
Check you meet every requirement, and note each document they ask for.
Check this year's deadline
We don't have a confirmed date for this round. The award's own page will have it.
More details
Apply 3 months before your technical training period begins.
The loan does NOT charge interest while you're in training, so even if you don't strictly need the money, taking the maximum and paying it back in a lump sum after you finish is sometimes cheaper than carrying credit card debt for tools and living expenses.
Combine the Canada Apprentice Loan with EI benefits during your technical training period — you can receive both, and the loan is designed to bridge the gap between EI rates and your actual expenses.
Quebec residents
apply to AFE instead; the Canada Apprentice Loan does not cover you.
If you're working through multiple training periods (typical for a 4-year Red Seal apprenticeship with 4 levels), apply each time — the $4K is per period, up to $20K cumulative.
Keep clear records of your apprenticeship progress; you'll need them when repayment begins.
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How do I apply?
Click the Start application button above: it opens the official application page in a new tab.
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When is the deadline?
We don't have a confirmed deadline for this one. Check the award's own page for this year's date.
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Can international students apply?
No. You need to be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident or protected person.
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EI Section 25 — Extended EI Training Benefits (Federal)
Government of Canada — Employment and Social Development Canada -
Tachane Foundation Inc. Bursary for Indigenous Students
Tachane Foundation Inc. -
AFE Loans and Bursaries Program (Programme de prêts et bourses)
Gouvernement du Québec — Aide financière aux études $14,000 -
Saskatchewan Student Aid + Saskatchewan Advantage Scholarship + Rural-Service Loan Forgiveness
Government of Saskatchewan -
The State Group Inc. Indigenous Bursary
The State Group Inc. -
Jeanne Henuset-Fraser Memorial Bursary for Rural Manitoba Students
Calgary Foundation $2,500 -
WSP Canada Indigenous Student Scholarships
WSP Canada -
Youth Work in Trades (WRK) Scholarship
Province of British Columbia $1,000
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