Part-time student aid in Canada: grants and loans if you study part-time
Part-time student aid in Canada: the Canada Student Grant for Part-Time Students, the grant for part-time students with dependants and how to apply.
Studying part-time while working or raising a family is common, and government student aid is not just for full-time students. The federal government and provinces offer part-time grants and loans. This guide covers what is available, using official canada.ca information.
Canada Student Grant for Part-Time Students
According to the Government of Canada's part-time grant page, this grant is available to part-time students in financial need. You are automatically assessed when you apply for student aid with your province or territory.
Amount: Until the end of the 2026 to 2027 school year, you could receive up to $2,520 per year. The grant will not be more than your assessed need. Canada.ca gives the example that if your assessed need is $1,200, you receive a $1,200 grant. The school year runs from August 1 to July 31.
Eligibility: Canada.ca says you could be eligible if you apply and:
- Have a financial need.
- Are a part-time student in a qualified program at a designated school.
- Have successfully completed the courses you received a grant for in the past.
- Have total family income below the published threshold.
Income thresholds: Canada.ca publishes thresholds by family size, effective August 1, 2026. For example, for a family of one, gross annual family income below $38,474 qualifies for the maximum grant, and income at or above $69,987 does not qualify. For a family of four, the figures are $76,952 and $129,769. Check the official page for your family size.
Not available in some jurisdictions: Canada.ca notes this grant is not available to students from the Northwest Territories, Nunavut and Quebec, which have their own student aid programs.
Grant for Part-Time Students with Dependants
If you study part-time and have dependants, such as children under 12, you may also qualify for the grant for part-time students with dependants, which provides up to $2,688 per year, according to canada.ca.
Students with disabilities
Students with disabilities may qualify for the grant for students with disabilities of $2,800 per year, and for supports for services and equipment. Students with a disability may also be able to qualify for aid with a reduced course load. Check your province's rules.
Part-time loans
Part-time students may also be eligible for Canada Student Loans for part-time studies. Loans must be repaid, so borrow only what you need. Canada.ca's part-time studies information and your province's site explain the terms.
How to apply
Canada.ca's apply with your province page explains:
- In Manitoba, New Brunswick or Yukon, you submit the federal Part-Time Canada Student Grant and Loan Application form.
- In all other participating provinces, you apply through the province's student aid website.
Ontario students apply through OSAP. Ontario advises applying at least 40 days before the end of part-time study periods of 20 weeks or less.
What counts as part-time
Whether you are considered full-time or part-time depends on your course load as a percentage of a full course load, under rules set by your province and the program. Students with disabilities may be considered full-time at a lower course load. Confirm your status with your school.
Tips for part-time students
- Apply for each study period as required by your province.
- Complete your courses. Future part-time grants depend on successfully completing courses you were funded for.
- Report dependants to be assessed for the dependants grant.
- Ask your employer about tuition assistance, which many employers offer.
- Look for bursaries for part-time and mature students at your school.
Frequently asked questions
Can I get a grant if I work full-time and study part-time? Possibly. Eligibility depends on your family income relative to the thresholds and your assessed need.
Is the part-time grant automatic? You are assessed automatically when you apply for part-time aid through your province or territory.
Do I repay the part-time grant? No, as long as you meet the conditions. Loans must be repaid.
What if I fail a course? Canada.ca says you must have successfully completed courses funded by past grants to be eligible again. Talk to your financial aid office.
Before you apply: a quick checklist
- Use the official application site, never a paid third-party service. Applying for government student aid is free.
- Check the current year's deadlines on the official page and on your school's financial aid site.
- Gather your ID, tax information and, if required, a parent's or spouse's information before you start.
- Apply every year you need aid. Most programs require a new application for each school year.
- Read your award notice to see which parts are grants and which are loans.
- Keep your school's financial aid office in the loop. They can explain your package and point to bursaries or scholarships you may have missed.
- Watch for scams: no legitimate program charges a fee to get a grant or scholarship.
Questions to ask your financial aid office
Your school's financial aid staff see hundreds of situations like yours every year. Before you accept an offer or make a big decision, ask them:
- Which parts of my package are grants or scholarships, and which are loans or work-study?
- Are there school bursaries, scholarships or emergency funds I have not applied for yet?
- What happens to my aid if I drop a course or change my program?
- What do I need to do to keep this funding next year?
- Can my aid be reviewed if my family's income has changed?
Write down the answers and the name of the person you spoke with, so you can refer back to them later.
Keep exploring on GrantSift
Find student funding that fits you
Official aid pages are the source of truth, but scholarships, bursaries and grants are scattered across governments, schools and foundations. GrantSift brings student funding from official sources in the US and Canada into one place, with a short student check that matches programs to your province or state, level of study and field. Every listing links to the official page, and student aid that is a loan is labelled as a loan. Search scholarships and student grants or see plans and pricing.