(See below for information about Student Loans)
Make sure you have a bank account in your own name.
Start gathering the documents you'll need or prepare to submit them when/if you are requested to do so:
Bank account info (transit #, account #, a void cheque)
Information about any investments/RESPs in your name
Custody/Separation/Divorce agreements or other court records to validate your marital status/custody situation and any exceptional expenses related to your own children (dependants).
Documents that show you have a permanent disability.
Your and your parents'/step-parents'/spouse's income tax return information, from last year's Revenue Canada tax returns.
Information about your school program, including how many class hours/credits you'll be taking.
Scholarship information/amounts, if you know them.
An estimate of your expected pre-study period and study-period earnings.
Documents to validate any other sources of funding you will receive while studying (government pensions/support payments, any disability income, Employment Insurance benefits, retraining program funding, spousal/child support payments, etc.
Documents that will help you validate that you have a permanent disability.
Student Loan applications will typically open in May of each year. Click HERE to access the Nova Scotia Student Loans page.
Two types: Federal (Canada Student Loans) and provincial (Nova Scotia Student Loans). This can also include grants that you won’t have to pay back.
When you apply for Nova Scotia Student loans you are automatically applying for both federal and provincial loans. You do not need to apply twice if you are a full time student.
How much money you get depends on: your family income, how expensive your schooling is, if you have a job and are already making money, if you have a disability, if you have dependants (kids), and more.
You will need to start repaying your student loans 6 months after you finish/leave school. There are multiple repayment plans, and when the time comes it’s important to figure out which one is best for you. (ex. You can apply for 0% interest, some fields of study may qualify you for loan forgiveness).
The first time applying is long and will ask for a lot of info. Have that info ready, and ensure you give yourself enough time to complete the process. (You will need your parents’ income tax info).
It is possible to appeal the loan you are granted.
It takes about 4-6 weeks to hear back, so don’t wait until August to apply! Apply as soon as possible.