Student money in Canada: aid, loans, credit and banking
Quick summary
You apply for student aid through the office in your province or territory. Federal Canada Student Loans have had no interest since April 1, 2023, and the full-time Canada Student Grant is up to $4,200 a year outside Quebec, Nunavut and the Northwest Territories. Start with the federal student loan guide.
Checked November 2, 2026. Main source: Government of Canada: Apply for student aid through your province or territory. See all 3 sources.
Where to apply for student aid in your province or territory
The Government of Canada says you apply through the student aid office of the province or territory where you live. The table lists all 13 offices, with the name each office uses and its official page.
Manitoba, New Brunswick and Yukon ask for a separate Part-Time Canada Student Grant and Loan Application for part-time aid. Every other province and territory takes part-time applications through its own website.
Why it matters: the application, the deadlines and any provincial grants are set by your own province, so the office page for your province is the one to read before you plan your year.
| Province or territory | Student aid office | Official page |
|---|---|---|
| Alberta | Alberta Student Aid | Open the official page |
| British Columbia | British Columbia Student Aid | Open the official page |
| Manitoba | Manitoba Student Aid | Open the official page |
| New Brunswick | New Brunswick Student Financial Services | Open the official page |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | Newfoundland and Labrador Student Aid | Open the official page |
| Northwest Territories | Northwest Territories Student Financial Assistance | Open the official page |
| Nova Scotia | Nova Scotia Student Assistance | Open the official page |
| Nunavut | Nunavut Student Funding | Open the official page |
| Ontario | Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) | Open the official page |
| Prince Edward Island | Prince Edward Island Student Financial Services | Open the official page |
| Quebec | Quebec Student Financial Aid | Open the official page |
| Saskatchewan | Saskatchewan Student Loans | Open the official page |
| Yukon | Yukon Student Financial Assistance | Open the official page |
Links open the official government page in a new tab. Pages and deadlines can change, so confirm the details on the office page before you apply.
Federal student loans and the Canada Student Grant
Federal Canada Student Loans have had no interest since April 1, 2023, according to the Government of Canada. Provincial loans, private loans and lines of credit can work differently, so read the terms on your own loan agreement.
The Canada Student Grant for full-time students is up to $4,200 per year, or up to $525 per month of study, until the end of the 2026 to 2027 school year. The Government of Canada says it is not available to students from the Northwest Territories, Nunavut and Quebec, which run their own programs.
Why it matters: a grant does not need to be paid back, and a loan does. Knowing which part of your aid is which makes it easier to plan what you will owe after you finish.
Budgeting for a school year
A school-year budget has a few large costs, such as tuition and rent, and many small ones. Put your aid, savings and income on one side and your costs on the other, then check whether the months line up.
Why it matters: student aid and paycheques usually arrive at set times, while rent and bills arrive on their own schedule. A plan shows a gap before it happens.
Bank accounts and credit while you study
A chequing account holds your aid and pay, and a savings account holds money you do not want to spend this month. Credit history starts when a lender reports your borrowing to a credit bureau, which is why a first card or loan matters for later.
Why it matters: a thin credit file can make a first apartment, phone plan or car loan harder after you graduate. Small, steady steps now give a lender something to see later.
For high school students and educators
If you are still in high school, the teen guides cover credit, saving and first jobs in the same plain language. Teachers can use the Teacher Hub for classroom resources.
Why it matters: money habits are easier to build before the first loan or card arrives.
How this section is funded
We do not currently take affiliate fees, advertising, sponsorships or partnerships for the pages in this student and teacher section. Our general policy is on the How We Make Money page.
Students: guides
- Canada Student Loan Forgiveness: Who Qualifies and How MuchNew
- Student and Store Credit Cards in Canada: What to KnowNew
- Student Loans in Canada: Interest, Grace Period, Repayment
- Canada Education Savings Grant: Amounts and Limit
- Student Aid by Province in Canada: Where to Apply
- Canada Learning Bond: Who Qualifies and Amounts
- What Is an RESP? How the 20% Grant Works in Canada
Questions people ask
Where do I apply for student aid in Canada?
Apply through the student aid office of the province or territory where you live. The Government of Canada lists an office for each of the 13 provinces and territories, and the table on this page links to each one.
Do Canada Student Loans charge interest?
Federal Canada Student Loans have had no interest since April 1, 2023, according to the Government of Canada. Provincial, private and line of credit loans can work differently, so check your own loan terms.
How much is the Canada Student Grant?
For full-time students it is up to $4,200 per year, or up to $525 per month of study, until the end of the 2026 to 2027 school year. The Government of Canada says it is not available to students from the Northwest Territories, Nunavut and Quebec.
How do part-time students apply for aid?
Most provinces and territories take part-time applications through their own website. The Government of Canada says Manitoba, New Brunswick and Yukon ask for a separate Part-Time Canada Student Grant and Loan Application.
Does this section take affiliate fees or advertising?
We do not currently take affiliate fees, advertising, sponsorships or partnerships for the pages in this student and teacher section.