Grant for Students with Dependants
Am I eligible?
You are eligible if you:
- apply and qualify for a Canada Student Loan;
- are from a low-income family as defined by the Canada Student Loans Program;
- are enrolled in a degree, diploma, or certificate program (minimum 12 weeks within a period of 15 consecutive weeks) at a designated post-secondary institution; and,
- have a dependant who will be under 12 years of age at the beginning of the study period.
Important: Exceptions can be made for low-income students with dependants 12 years of age or older who have a disability.
What’s available?
- $200 per month of study, per dependant child.
- This grant is available for each year of post-secondary studies, provided you continue to meet the eligibility criteria. This includes post-secondary studies beyond the undergraduate level.
- Grant money is issued by your province or territory of permanent residence at the beginning and in the middle of the school year.
Since grant amounts are fixed, the amount you receive may exceed your assessed need:
- Example—If you qualify for the grant and you have an assessed need of $3,000, you will receive a Grant for Students with Dependants of $1,600 per child and a Grant for Students from Low-Income Families of $2,000 ($250 per month of study), assuming you study for 8 months.
How do I apply?
Your eligibility for the grant is assessed automatically when you apply and qualify for a Canada Student Loan through your province or territory of permanent residence. Visit How to Obtain Government Student Loans for information about applying for a loan.