• Canada Student Loans and Grants
• Saving for Education
• Adult Learning and Literacy
• Post-Secondary Education
• Student Exchanges and Academic Mobility

• Ministers
• About Us
• What's New
• Newsroom
• Publications and Resources
• A to Z Index

Grants for Students from Low-income Families

• Canada Access Grant for Students from Low-income Families
• Canada Study Grant for High-need part-time students

Important Note for residents of Quebec, Nunavut, or the North-West Territories.

Canada Access Grant for Students from Low-income Families

This grant is available to first-time students enrolled in their first year at any designated post-secondary educational institution, in at least a two-year program that leads to a certificate, diploma or degree.  It covers one half of tuition costs, up to a maximum of $3,000.  Eligibility is automatically considered when you apply for a  full-time student loan; you do not need to complete any other paperwork to apply.

You may qualify for this grant if you:

• are eligible for a full-time Canada Student Loan;
• are enrolled as a full-time student;
• are enrolled for the first time in post-secondary education in your first year in a program of studies of at least two years that leads to a degree, certificate or diploma at a designated educational institution;
• are pursuing post-secondary education within four years of leaving secondary school, and
• have parents whose net income falls within the range of entitlement to the National Child Benefit Supplement in the previous tax year.  For these purposes, net family income includes only the net income of your parents as indicated on line 236 of each parent’s income tax return for the income tax return filed during the year prior to the start of your first year of post-secondary education;   or
• are a person in respect of whom a special allowance under the Children's Special Allowance Act is payable or would be payable if you were less than 18 years of age.

Canada Study Grant for High-need Part-time Students

The Canada Study Grant for High-need Part-time Students is awarded to part-time students who demonstrate financial need in excess of established loan amounts.

Eligibility Information

Candidates must meet the following criteria:

• be eligible for a part-time Canada Student Loan 
• demonstrate why they are studying on a part-time basis on their loan application (e.g. family or other responsibilities that do not permit full-time study)
• have a gross family income below established amounts
• other criteria may apply

Application Information

• Eligibility for this grant is determined during the assessment of the student loan application.
• Loan application forms are available from provincial and territorial student assistance offices, and at financial aid offices in educational institutions.

Related Information

• Canada Study Grants do not have to be repaid, but are considered taxable income.