Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
About your award
- Will the amount of my Excellence Award change?
- Can I apply for new Excellence Awards?
- Who can I speak with to ask questions or resolve issues related to Excellence Awards issued between January 1, 2010 and December 31, 2013?
- Can I defer my award payment?
- Can I receive more than one award payment in a calendar year?
- Will my personal information be protected?
- Who do I speak to about getting my T4A tax slip?
- I have a disability and need to reduce my course load. Will this affect my Excellence Award?
General information
- Why is Human Resources and Skills Development Canada making the remaining renewable Excellence Awards payments?
- Why does Human Resources and Skills Development Canada need my personal information?
- Why is Human Resources and Skills Development Canada not continuing to administer payment of awards beyond 2013?
Can't find the answer to your question? Contact us toll-free: 1-877-615-4249 or TTY 1-866-667-8538.
About your award
Q. 1. Will the amount of my Excellence Award change?
A. No. The total value, or the amount per payment, of your remaining Excellence Award will not change.
Q. 2. Can I apply for new Excellence Awards?
A. No. Applications for Excellence Awards are no longer being accepted. The Canada Student Loans Program is making Excellence Award payments to eligible students with renewable awards from January 1, 2010 to December 31, 2013.
The new Canada Student Grants, money that does not need to be paid back, will further help students manage the costs of post-secondary education. Visit the Canada Student Grants section for more information.
Q. 3. Who can I speak with to ask questions or resolve issues related to Excellence Awards issued between January 1, 2010 and December 31, 2013?
A. Contact the Canada Student Loans Program to speak with a client services representative toll-free at 1-877-615-4249 or TTY: 1-866-667-8538.
Q. 4. Can I defer my award payment?
A. Yes. You can choose to defer your award payment, provided you still meet the eligibility criteria.
Remember: No outstanding awards will be paid after December 31, 2013.
Q. 5. Can I receive more than one award payment in a calendar year?
A. Yes. You can receive more than one payment in a single calendar year, but only once. Keep in mind that you have to be a full-time student and in school for a period of eight months to receive a payment. For example, if you study part time between September 2010 - December 2010, you cannot receive a payment. Although, if you return to school full time between January 2011 – August 2011, and again between September 2011 – April 2012, you can collect your payments.
Note: This is provided you still meet the eligibility criteria.
Q. 6. Will my personal information be protected?
A. Human Resources and Skills Development Canada has taken measures to ensure that your personal information is protected under the federal privacy legislation, in accordance with Part IV of the Department of Human Resources and Skills Development Act.
Q. 7. Who do I speak to about getting my tax slip (T4A)?
A. The Canada Student Loans Program will send students their annual tax slips for awards issued between 2010 and 2013.
Q. 8. I have a disability and need to reduce my course load. Will this affect my Excellence Award?
A. You must be a full-time student to receive your Excellence Award. However, if you have a disability, you are considered a full-time student as long as you are enrolled in 40 per cent of a full course load. The Canada Student Loans Program will recognize your disability status when you provide the following documents along with your application package to renew/defer your Excellence Award:
- proof of your disability status in the form of a medical certificate or a psycho-educational assessment; or
- documentation showing receipt of federal or provincial disability assistance.
General information
Q. 1. Why is Human Resources and Skills Development Canada making the remaining renewable Excellence Awards payments?
A. Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (HRSDC), through the Canada Student Loans Program, is supporting Excellence Award recipients. The Canada Millennium Scholarship Foundation has reached the end of its ten year mandate. The Foundation closed in January 2010.
HRSDC has agreed to administer payment of the remaining Excellence Awards, thereby ensuring that all eligible students with a renewable Excellence Award continue to receive their remaining payments.
Q. 2. Why does Human Resources and Skills Development Canada need my personal information?
A. Human Resources and Skill Development (HRSDC) Canada needs your personal information to disburse Excellence Award payments. This information includes your name, address, phone number, birth date and social insurance number. Disclosure of personal information by HRSDC is governed by Part IV of the Department of Human Resources and Skills Development Act.
Q. 3. Why is Human Resources and Skills Development Canada not continuing to administer Excellence Award payments beyond 2013?
A. Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (HRSDC) is only mandated to disperse payments until December 31, 2013.