Student Smarts

Student Loans Guide

In Canada, students are going to want to visit www.CanLearn.ca.. CanLearn is the only online post-secondary education resource that provides Canadians with the information and services they need to decide what and where to study and how to cover the costs. The CanLearn site was developed by the Department of Human Resources and Skills Development Canada in collaboration with provincial and territorial governments and Canadian learning and career development organizations.

The best type of funding is the type that doesn�t have to be paid back: contributions from parents and other relatives, money from summer or part-time jobs, plus grants, bursaries and scholarships.

If you need additional financial aid, then you can look into getting a student loan. Federal, Provincial and Territorial governments offer student loan programs.
Who is eligible for financial aid in Canada?

To qualify for financial aid, students must be citizens or permanent residents of the province in which they apply for student assistance. Provincial or territorial financial aid organizations will verify a student's residency, age, and other eligibility factors during the application process. Canadian citizens that intend to travel overseas to attend a college or university, including participating in distance learning classes, must first enroll in a Canadian institution's exchange program in order to qualify for financial aid.

In the US, students need to visit Federal Student Financial Aid US Department of Education and Federal Student Aid. This site offers free information on preparing for and funding education beyond high school.

Whether you're in elementary or high school, parent or counselor, their site offers for all a wealth of information and publications. They are here to help you make informed decisions regarding all phases of a college, technical or trade school education and career choice.

Who is eligible for financial aid in the US?

Citizens or permanent residents of the United States who enroll at least part time in an accredited degree program can qualify for some form of financial aid. In addition to providing financial aid, the federal government also encourages long-term savings through tuition tax benefits, as well as tax-free savings accounts for education.

Students from low-income families qualify for the most government financial aid assistance. In addition to federal grants, low-income students generally qualify for federal loans. Many colleges and universities also assist low-income students by providing institutional aid.

Students from middle class families can also qualify for federal loans. The federal government either lends money directly to students or facilitates a loan guarantee with a private lender. A PLUS loan program is also available for parents of dependent students and graduate and professional students.

Student Loans Guide

Student Loan Resources