College & University

• Apply early

• NSCC applications open in Grade 11 (wait lists are long for many programs)

• Identify available services & supports

STUDENT LOAN APPLICATION & AVAILABLE GRANTS

Available Grants & Funds
This application includes both Canada and Nova Scotia student loans (NS portion is currently forgiven upon graduation), as well as any available grants (non-repayable).

Approved Schools for Grant Funding
Check to see if a program is approved for loan and grant funding.

You Need:

• SIN number, if you don't have one, get it here

• A bank account in your own name, account information (transit #, account #)

• Information about any investments/RESPs in your name

• Your and your parent's/step-parent's/spouse's Income Tax Return information from last year

• Information about your school program, including how many class hours/credits

• Scholarship information/amounts

• An estimate of your expected pre-study period and study-period earnings

Program Funding Maximums
These amounts sometimes change and may be different for academic years.

• Basic eligibility criteria

STUDENT LOANS

Nova Scotia

• $200/week of study (max)

• Nova Scotia students graduating from Nova Scotia non-professional undergraduate programs may no longer have to repay the provincial portion of their student loans.  Graduates can receive 5 years of loan forgiveness, up to $20,400.

Canada (Interest free, repayment begins 6 months after graduation)

• $300/week of study (max)

• Family doctors, residents in family medicine, nurse practitioners, registered nurse, psychiatric nurse, practical nurses, dentists, dental hygienists, pharmacists, midwives, social workers, personal support workers, physiotherapists, psychologists, teachers and early childhood educators working in under-served or remote regions can get Canada Student Loan forgiveness.

GRANTS (non-repayable - 40% of student loan)

Nova Scotia Grants

• Supplemental loan for medicine, law and dentistry may be eligible for up to $140/week of additional loan funding

Canada Grants

• Canada Study Grant - amount varies depending on need, automatically assessed with loan application

• Students with Permanent Disabilities  (LD, ASD, ADHD...) up to $2,800/year

• Services and Equipment for Students with Permanent Disabilities up to $20,000/year

Residency Requirement for a Student Loan

• Residency requirements vary according to student category - single dependent, single independent, married, single parent

Information for Landed Immigrants

• Must have Landed Immigrant status before the first day of the month in which your classes begin

• Submit a photocopy of your Permanent Resident Card

Information for Protected Person:

• Protected Person's can apply for assistance

• Your Notice of Decision document (not the Reason of Decision) OR the Verification of Status Document

• A copy of your Social Insurance Number (SIN) Card showing a 900 series SIN that will remain valid for your entire study period