What Are Grants, Bursaries and Scholarships?
Grants, bursaries and scholarships are wonderful resources to help you finance your post-secondary education because they provide money that does not need to be paid back. Grants, bursaries and scholarships can be provided by governments, schools or private organizations.
Scholarships are usually awarded based on merit rather than financial need. To find out what scholarships are available to you, visit our Scholarship Search.
Grants and bursaries are awarded based on:
- financial need;
- academic achievement;
- athletic skill or;
- special abilities that may also be considered.
The following are some of the grants and bursaries available to Canadian students:
- Canada Student Grants
- Provincial and Territorial Grants and Bursaries
- Apprenticeship Incentive Grant (AIG)
- Funding for studying abroad
If you are a graduate student, you can also check out the Canada Graduate Scholarship Program - Master’s Scholarship, which provides funding to students who are pursuing full-time studies at the master's level in the social sciences and humanities field.
Canada Student Grants
These grants help students and families manage the cost of post-secondary education are provided through a single program. Grants do not need to be paid back. Canada Student Grants are predictable, easy to apply for, and are provided to students at the beginning and in the middle of the school year.
The Canada Millennium Scholarship Foundation (CMSF) officially sunset in January 2010. Eligible recipients of the CMSF Millennium bursary will receive a non-repayable transition grant for up to three additional years of undergraduate study.
The Canada Student Grants are available to students from most provinces and territories except the Northwest Territories, Nunavut and Quebec which operate their own student financial assistance programs.
When you apply for a Canada Student Loan, your eligibility for most Canada Student Grants will automatically be assessed. You may be eligible to receive more than one grant simultaneously.
The following Canada Student Grants are available:
- Grant for Students from Low-Income Families
- Grant for Students from Middle-Income Families
- Grant for Students with Dependants
- Grant for Part-Time Studies
- Grant for Part-Time Students with Dependants
- Grant for Students with Permanent Disabilities
- Grant for Services and Equipment for Students with Permanent Disabilities
Provincial and territorial grants and bursaries
To learn about grant and bursary programs offered in your province or territory of permanent residence, or to complete an application for full-time or part-time student loan funding, visit your province or territory’s student financial assistance office Web site.
Apprenticeship Grants
Apprenticeship Incentive Grant (AIG)
The Apprenticeship Incentive Grant (AIG) is a taxable cash grant available to registered apprentices once they have successfully completed their first or second year/level (or equivalent) of an apprenticeship program in one of the Red Seal trades. Here is the Red Seal trade designation by province or territory.
Apprentices should be aware that there is a deadline to apply.
Apprenticeship Completion Grant (ACG)
The Apprenticeship Completion Grant (ACG) is a $2,000 taxable cash grant designed to encourage apprentices registered in a designated Red Seal trade to complete their apprenticeship program and receive their certification.
The completion grant will be offered to apprentices who complete their training, become certified journeypersons in a designated Red Seal trade and who obtain either the Red Seal endorsement or a provincial or territorial Certificate of Qualification.
Apprentices should be aware that there is a deadline to apply.
More information on Trades and Apprenticeship Grants.
Funding for studying abroad
One resource available to Canadian students interested in studying abroad is the Government of Canada's International Academic Mobility (IAM) Initiative. The IAM supports academic projects that help students from Canadian colleges and universities take advantage of learning opportunities abroad.
You may also be eligible for scholarships, grants and bursaries for students who are studying abroad. To find out what’s available and learn how to apply, visit the following Web sites:
