How to Apply

When you apply and qualify for student financial assistance, you are automatically assessed for Canada Student Grants and Loans.

The loan amount you may receive is calculated based on factors including:

To estimate the potential annual student grant and loan amounts you may receive, use the Student Financial Assistance Estimator.

We recommend you apply at least two months before the start of your program to ensure you receive your funding on time, if approved.

There are five steps in the application process:

Expand All Collapse All Student Loan Eligibility

To qualify for a Canada Student Grant and/or Loan you must:

Note: Quebec, Northwest Territories, and Nunavut operate their own student financial assistance programs. Contact your provincial or territorial student financial assistance office for more information.

You must also be enrolled in:

Note: If you are a student with a permanent disability or a persistent or prolonged disability and you are studying between 40 and 59 percent of a full course load, you have the option to be considered a student in full-time or part-time studies.

Lifetime limits on the amount of student financial assistance you can receive, including interest-free and payment-free periods, vary:

Ontario, British Columbia, Saskatchewan, New Brunswick or Newfoundland and Labrador

Alberta, Manitoba, Nova Scotia or Prince Edward Island

Yukon

Northwest Territories, Nunavut or Quebec

Note: You must re-apply for a Canada Student Loan every school year. If you do not apply for financial assistance during one semester or year of study, your school must complete Confirmation of Enrolment information.

Step 2: Wait for Notice of Assessment from your province/territory

Your Notice of Assessment will indicate (by mail, online or by email) if you qualified for grants and loans:

If you are not approved for funding or you are not satisfied with the approved amount contact the student financial assistance office in your province or territory to be re-assessed.

Step 3: Review and accept the MSFAA terms and conditions

Review your Master Student Financial Assistance Agreement (MSFAA):

Step 5: Loan disbursement

If you provided your banking information, your grant(s) or loan(s) will be deposited directly in your financial institution account or forwarded to your school to pay your academic fees (e.g. tuition) on or after the first day of classes.

Tip: By providing your banking information and opting for direct deposit, you’ll avoid potential delays in receiving your funds by cheque.

💡 Bonus Tip! If you need to update your banking information, please log in to your secure NSLSC account and download our “How to update your Banking Information” guide for step-by-step instructions: How to update your Banking Information (PDF, 2.22 MB)

While there are exceptions, you normally receive two disbursements of money in a year, depending on when you apply:

For more information on disbursement dates, check with your school's student financial assistance office.

Changes to your financial situation and eligibility

If your financial situation changes before you start school or while you are studying, you must inform your provincial or territorial student financial assistance office.

If your eligibility for student grants and loans is reassessed and this changes the amount of money you are to receive, your provincial or territorial student financial assistance office will let you know.