Paying for school in Canada is expensive. Tuition, rent, books, and food add up fast. The good news is that grants for Canadian students can cover a real part of those costs — and unlike loans, you do not pay them back. For the 2025–2026 school year alone, federal student grants offer up to $4,200 per year based on financial need.
This guide is a 2025–26 hub. It explains the main grants available, who qualifies, how much you can get, and how to apply through your province.
Most students start with Canada Student Grants. These are federal grants assessed automatically when you apply for student aid in your province or territory.
This is the most common and valuable grant for Canadian students. If you qualify, the money is applied directly to your tuition or deposited to your bank account through your provincial aid system.
Important: The temporary “doubling” of Canada Student Grants ended after the 2024–25 year. The 2025–26 amounts above are the standard funding levels.
If you’re a parent going back to school, this grant can significantly increase your total funding.
Many students assume part-time study means no grants. That’s not true. Part-time students can still qualify for meaningful, non-repayable funding.
You usually apply for this through your provincial student aid portal, with documentation from a qualified medical professional.
You do not apply for Canada Student Grants separately.
Instead, you apply through your provincial or territorial student aid system, and they automatically assess you for federal and provincial grants.
When you apply, you’ll be asked about:
Your school must also be on the Designated Educational Institutions list to qualify for federal funding.
Federal Canada Student Grants are not available in:
These jurisdictions run their own grant and bursary programs instead. Students there still receive non-repayable aid, but through different systems.
Assuming you won’t qualify because of income
Many middle-income families still qualify. The thresholds are higher than most people expect.
Only looking for loans, not grants
Grants are assessed automatically, but only if you apply for student aid at all.
Missing the deadline
Late applications can reduce your funding or delay payments into the semester.
Enrolling in a non-designated program
If your school or program is not designated, you cannot receive federal grants.
Q: Are grants for Canadian students taxable?
No. Canada Student Grants are not taxable income and do not need to be reported on your tax return.
Q: Can I receive grants and loans at the same time?
Yes. Most students receive a mix of grants and loans. Grants reduce how much you need to borrow.
Q: Do mature students qualify for student grants?
Yes. There is no age limit. Eligibility is based on income, course load, and residency.
Q: Do I need good grades to keep my grants?
You must remain enrolled and make satisfactory academic progress, but grants are not merit-based.
Q: Can international students get Canada Student Grants?
No. These grants are for Canadian citizens, permanent residents, and protected persons only.
Depending on your situation, you may also qualify for:
Grants for Canadian students change every year, and amounts depend on your province, income, and program. If you want a clearer picture of what you qualify for in 2025–26, tools like GrantHub’s eligibility matcher can help you filter programs by province, study level, and personal situation in minutes.
GrantHub tracks 2,500+ active grant programs across Canada — including federal, provincial, and education-specific funding — so you can see what support is actually available for your path.
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