Canada Student Loans

Government of Canada

Access federal grants you keep and loans you repay for tuition and living costs if you are a low-to-middle income student or a student with a disability.

Published by G Paul · last checked October 23, 2026

Level

Post-secondary

Open to

Across Canada

Apply on the official site ↗

What you will need

Low or middle income
Dependants (if applicable)
Disability (if applicable)
Enrollment in a qualifying post-secondary program

About this award

You can receive two types of funding through the Canada Student Financial Assistance Program (the federal system for student aid). Grants are provided to you and do not need to be paid back. Loans are borrowed money that you must repay after you finish your studies. These funds are designed to cover your tuition, living expenses, and other school-related costs. This funding is for you if you have a low or middle income, if you are supporting dependants, or if you are living with a disability. No deadline is posted publicly — before you start the application, check Government of Canada's program page or call their office to confirm when applications open and close this year. Selection criteria aren't published — ask Government of Canada how winners are chosen and roughly how many applicants they typically receive so you can judge your odds. Ask Government of Canada during your application how the money will reach you — some awards pay students directly, others apply funds to tuition. Confirm this so you can plan your cash flow. Renewal conditions aren't listed — if you're counting on this for multiple years, confirm with Government of Canada whether it's one-time or renewable and what you need to maintain.

Who qualifies

You can apply if you have a low or middle income, have dependants, or have a disability. Note these critical restrictions on private, for-profit schools: Starting August 1, 2026, you are no longer eligible if you go to a private, for-profit international school, though students already receiving aid at such a school may qualify until July 31, 2029. Also, most full-time students at private, for-profit schools in Canada are no longer eligible for the Canada Student Grant for Full-Time Students, although some specific programs may be exempt from this restriction.

This is what the award's official page said when we last checked. Rules change, so confirm on the award's official page before you apply.

Canadian citizen, permanent resident or protected person
Open to post-secondary students

How to apply

Read the award's official 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 official page will have it.

Tips for applying

SupportAvoid submitting your application without checking your school's status. Instead, confirm with your registrar if your program is one of the few exempt from the private, for-profit school restrictions. This prevents you from applying for funding you cannot receive.
StrategyAvoid ignoring your provincial options. Instead, contact your provincial or territorial student aid office if you believe you or your school should qualify despite an initial denial. Local offices can often provide clarity on exemptions.
RealismAvoid treating loans as free money. Instead, create a repayment plan now based on your expected graduation date. Remember that unlike grants, loans must be paid back with interest after you leave school.

Questions students ask

How do I apply?

Use the Apply on the official site button on this page: it opens the official application page in a new tab.

When is the deadline?

We don't have a confirmed deadline for this one. Check the award's official page for this year's date.

Can international students apply?

No. You need to be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident or protected person.

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FundMyCourse.ca · checked Oct 23, 2026