A List of Financial Aid Options for Canadian Students

Gaining a post-secondary qualification can often lead to better job prospects. However, finding the funds to pay for education can be a barrier for some students — even working a part-time job may not be enough. One solution is to find financial aid. There are a few places in particular you should check out.

ScholarshipsCanada

To reduce your tuition fees, find a scholarship or bursary. Head to ScholarshipsCanada to search a database of the thousands of options available to students who are just starting their post-secondary studies. In addition to awards from specific schools, there are offers from private organizations and even the chance to win smaller prizes of cash and gift cards to help you out with various expenses.

TD Canada Trust

You can apply for a scholarship from TD Canada Trust if you have been a community leader. Unlike many scholarships, rather than looking at your academic performance (you only need a minimum overall grade average of 75 percent), these scholarships consider how you have made a meaningful or lasting difference in your community. You may have solved a problem or made the world a better place in another way. If you’re awarded a Community Leader scholarship, you can receive up to $10,000 for tuition and $7,500 in living expenses per year for a maximum of four years. At least 10 students receive a scholarship each year.

Canadian Government

International students looking to study in Canada can also receive support to cover tuition. There are specific scholarship opportunities just for international students, including for postdoctoral researchers. The Canadian government has a list of opportunities for short-term exchanges, online study, and research projects.

CanHELP

A second option for international students in Canada is CanHELP. This student loan program may be able to help you cover the entire cost of attendance, including tuition, accommodation, transportation, and books.

Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council

Students of natural sciences and engineering can receive scholarships from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC). In fact, NSERC offers 4,500 scholarships, grants, and fellowships every year.

Registered Education Savings Plans

There’s no guarantee you’ll be able to cover all your expenses for college or university with scholarships, grants, and loans alone. For this reason, it’s a good idea to start saving as soon as possible with a Registered Education Savings Plan. These savings plans are designed specifically for education after high school and the money you (or your parents) contribute is not taxable as long as it is in the account.

You’ll also need to find an affordable place to live while you’re at college. Since on-campus housing is expensive (especially when you add in all the extra costs, like meal plans), a better option is to look for rooms for rent. Oshawa students have 17Hundred. The student housing is all inclusive, meaning there are no additional costs, such as utilities. In fact, you won’t even need a gym membership because 17Hundred has a 24-hour yoga studio and fitness facilities on site. Book a video tour to see all the facilities for yourself.