Canada Student Grants and Loans – What student grants and loans offer

Grants and loans for full-time and part-time students

The Government of Canada offers student grants and loans to full-time and part-time students. Grants and loans help students pay for their post-secondary education.

• apply for grants and loans in one application, directly with your province of residence
• you don't need to repay grants you receive
• you need to repay loans after finishing school, with interest
• you may be eligible for more than 1 type of grant - when you apply with your province, they will assess your eligibility for all available grants

How much can you get

The amount you can receive depends on several factors, including:

• your province or territory of residence
• your family income
• if you have dependents
• your tuition fees and living expenses
• if you have a disability

The amount you can receive in grants and loans is calculated when you apply with your province or territory.

To find out if you can receive Canada Student Grants or Loans, use the federal student aid estimator. Note that this estimator doesn't take into account the provincial and territorial student grants and loans.

Federal student aid estimator

List of federal student grants

Your eligibility for all Canada Student Grants is assessed when you apply with your province or territory:

• Grant for full-time students
• Grant for part-time students
• Grant for full-time students with dependants
• Grant for part-time students with dependants
• Grant for students with permanent disabilities
• Services and Equipment for Students with Permanent Disabilities

Maximum lifetime limit for student aid

There are lifetime limits on the number of weeks you can receive student aid. This includes interest-free periods while you are in school. Once a lifetime limit has been reached, interest starts to accumulate. You will also have to start paying back the loan six months after you graduate or finish your studies.

Full-time students can receive student aid for no more than 340 weeks, except:

• students enrolled in doctoral studies can receive student aid for up to 400 weeks
• students with permanent disability can receive student aid for up to 520 weeks

Registered Education Savings Plan

In addition to grants and loans you can contact your RESP provider to withdraw funds to help pay for your studies. For more information, please visit RESP.