Government Loans and Grants

Start here if you need government assistance to finance your studies at Emily Carr University of Art + Design.

Figuring out how to finance your studies can be confusing. At Emily Carr, we are here to help. We have advisors in the Financial Aid + Awards Office who can provide all the information you need, plus resources online. You can connect with Financial Aid + Awards staff by emailing finawards@ecuad.ca or by booking an appointment with an advisor at www.mywco.com/advising.

Students who fulfill British Columbia residency status should refer to the Student Aid BC assistance program which combines federal and provincial funds. Canadian students coming from outside BC have student aid options within each province.

All students thinking of applying for a student loan should carefully consider their repayment responsibilities. We can also advise you on credit counselling, student line of credit and assistance, plus loan and grant programs for part-time students. Plan ahead and contact us as early, noting the deadlines for each program as they apply to you.

Each BC student's loan and grant eligibility will be determined based upon their individual financial circumstance. Students from other provinces will be subject to the eligibility of their home province. As this funding may not cover both tuition and living expenses, students are encouraged to seek out alternate forms of funding like grants and scholarships by doing an exhaustive internet search. Various scholarship search tools are available on the internet such as www.yconic.com, www.scholarshipscanada.com and www.fastweb.com.

PRIVATE LOAN FUNDING

American citizens are able to secure private student loans through Sallie Mae Smart Option Loans.

Information and applications are available at: https://www.salliemae.com/

StudentAidBC is an assistance program combining federal and provincial funds. It is a need‑based program, so the amount of assistance you are eligible for is based upon your financial situation and in some cases, that of your family.

By completing the StudentAidBC application, you are applying for funding from all sources. The resulting award type and amount will be determined by an assessment of need done according to guidelines and criteria set by the provincial government.

StudentAidBC applications require approximately six weeks to process. In order to receive your funding at the start of classes, it is suggested you submit your application for fall semester funding no later than July 15, and your application for spring semester funding by November 15. Students can apply on-line at www.studentaidbc.ca.

Students must complete separate applications for each semester of study and will therefore need to submit two separate applications for one academic year. If you are applying for funding for two semesters, you can apply for more than one semester at the same time. You do not need to be registered in classes in order to apply for funding. Your registration will be confirmed later, closer to your first disbursement date.

Application Deadline
Your application must be received by StudentAidBC at least 6 weeks before the study period end date.

Details regarding all financial aid programs can be found on the StudentAidBC website at www.studentaidbc.ca. Additionally, students can contact representatives of StudentAidBC at:

StudentAidBC
PO Box 9173 Stn Prov Govt
Victoria, BC V8W 9H7

Phone: (604) 660-2610 if calling from the Lower Mainland
Toll-free: 1-800-561-1818
Fax: (250) 356-9455
Internet: www.studentaidbc.ca

If you are living or have lived as a youth in care, you may qualify for financial support to cover some of the costs of your education. Visit our Funding for Youth in Care page for options.

Student Loan Programs Outside BC

Student Aid Alberta
PO Box 28000 Stn Main
Edmonton, AB T5J 4R4
Toll-free: 1-855-606-2096
Fax: 780-422-4516
Website

Student Services and Program Development Branch
Advanced Education, Employment
1120-2010 12th Avenue
Regina, SK S4P 0M3
Phone: (306) 787-5620
Toll-free: 1-800-597-8278
Fax: 306-787-1608

https://www.saskatchewan.ca/re...

Manitoba Student Aid
401-1181 Portage Avenue
Winnipeg, MB R3G 0T3
Phone: (204) 945-6321
Toll-free in Manitoba:
1-800-204-1685
Fax: 204.948.3421
https://www.edu.gov.mb.ca/msa/

Student Financial Assistance Branch
Ministry of Training, Colleges & Universities
PO Box 4500
189 Red River Road, 4th Floor
Thunder Bay, ON P7B 6G9
Phone: (807) 343-7260
Toll-free: 1-877-672-7411
Fax: (807) 343-7278
Website

Aide financière aux etuades
Student Financial Assistance: Loans and Bursaries
1035, rue de la Chevrotière
Québec, QC G1R 5A5
Toll-free: 1-877-643-3750
Website

Student Assistance Office
Labour and Advanced Education
PO Box 2290, Halifax Central
Halifax, NS B3J 3C8
Phoen: (902) 424-8420
Toll-free: 1-800-565-8420
Fax: (902) 424-0540
Website

Newfoundland & Labrador Student Financial Assistance

Phone: (709) 729-5849
Toll-free: 1-888-657-0800
Fax: (709) 729-2298
Website

Student Financial Services
Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour
PO Box 6000, 440 King St, Suite 420
Fredericton, NB E3B 5H1
Phone: (506) 453-2577
Toll-free: 1-800-667-5626
Fax: (506) 444-4333
Website

Student Financial Services
Department of Education and Lifelong Learning
PO Box 2000, 176 Great George St, Suite 212
Charlottetown, PE C1A 7N8
Phone: (902) 368-4640
Fax: (902) 368-6144
Website

Student Financial Assistance
Department of Education, Govt of Yukon
Box 2703
Whitehorse, YT Y1A 2C6
Phone: (867) 667-5929
Toll-free: 1.800.661.0408, ext 5929 (Yukon only)
Fax: 867.667.8555
Website

Student Financial Assistance Program
Govt of the Northwest Territories
Education, Culture & Employment
PO Box 1320, 4501 50th Ave
Yellowknife, NT X1A 2L9
Phone: (867) 767-9355
Toll-free: 1-800-661-0793
Fax: (867) 873-0336
Toll Free Fax: 1-800-661-0893
https://www.ece.gov.nt.ca/en/s...

Financial Assistance for Nunavut Students
Department of Family Services
PO Box 390
Arviat, NU X0C 0E0
Toll-free: 1-877-860-0680
Toll-free Fax: 1-877-860-0167
https://www.gov.nu.ca/student-...

About repayment of your loan.

You are reminded that your student loans are due six months after you cease full‑time studies (defined as 60% of a full course load). Payments on your student loans are not required during this period, or for a six-month period after you leave school. However, it is your responsibility to contact the National Student Loan Service Centre (https://www.csnpe-nslsc.canada...) to arrange terms of repayment before the expiry of this six-month period.

Effective April 1st, 2023, the Government of Canada has permanently eliminated the accumulation of interest on all Canada Student Loans including loans currently being repaid. You continue to be responsible to pay any interest that may have accrued on your loan before April 1, 2023 and/or interest through your home province loan program.

If you have previous student loans (prior to April 1, 2023) and are currently enrolled full-time but do not have student loans, you must tell the National Student Loan Service Centre that you are back in full-time studies. Failure to do so could result in your loans going into repayment during your full-time studies. You can apply for interest-free online at the National Student Loan Service Centre at: https://www.csnpe-nslsc.canada...or contact your home province for further assistance.

Please register online at the National Student Loan Service Centre at: https://www.csnpe-nslsc.canada...or go to your home province for further information on the interest on your loan.

The Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP) is available to assist the borrowers who are experiencing difficulties paying back their student loans. The plan allows the borrowers to manage their debt by making affordable payments.

Student loan borrowers must apply for the Repayment Assistance Plan. Enrolment is not automatic. Please visit CanLearn's Repayment Assistance Plan website, https://www.csnpe-nslsc.canada...or further information on the process.

Students can repay their Canada Student Loans by redeeming loyalty program points from Aeroplan, TD Rewards and the CIBC Aventura programs. Businesses, friends or family can also convert their loyalty points to repay a student or grad’s loans.

For more information: HigherEdPoints.com

If you would like to estimate your monthly loan payments, you can visit the following website: Loan Repayment Calculator

As a student loan borrower, it is your responsibility to:

  • Keep a current address and telephone number on file with the National Student Loan Service Centre;
  • Contact the National Student Loan Service Centre before the expiry of the six-month grace period to discuss repayment terms;
  • Make regular payments as specified in the loan repayment agreement;
  • Reinstate each previous student loan to interest-free/payment-free status at the start of each new academic session if your home province charges interest on the provincial loan portion

Failure to repay your loans in a timely manner will result in you defaulting on your student loans. It is your responsibility to ensure your loans are in good standing to avoid defaulting. If you default on your loans, your lenders, the Government of Canada, and the Province of British Columbia will take steps to recover the debt, which may include reporting you to a credit agency, using a private collection company, or taking legal action. Additionally, future income tax refunds may be withheld and applied to your defaulted loan debt. Your Canada student loans or provincial student loans cannot be absolved through bankruptcy for a period of 10 years after the end of your studies.

If you have defaulted on a student loan, you will not be eligible for further student loans unless your borrowing privileges are reinstated. To be considered for reinstatement, you must have made every effort towards meeting your obligations during the preceding 12 months or show that the default was due to circumstances beyond your control. To request reinstatement, you must contact the National Student Loan Service Centre. Information about rehabilitating a defaulted student loan is available at: https://www.csnpe-nslsc.canada...

Credit Counselling Canada is a non-profit organization governed by a volunteer board of directors. Member agencies are community based and managed by professional staff. The mandate of Credit Counselling Canada includes ensuring all Canadians have access to not-for-profit counselling and advocacy for issues related to money management and the wise use of credit. Credit Counselling Canada understands that anyone can experience financial problems and helps people through counselling, debt repayment programs and education. For more information, or to find a credit counsellor near you, visit Credit Counselling Canada’s website atwww.creditcounsellingcanada.ca. You can also contact the BC Branch directly at www.nomoredebts.org, or 1-888-527-8999.

Other funding resources

Most of Canada’s chartered banks currently offer lines of credit to Canadian students. Monthly interest must be paid by the borrower while in school, but payments on loan principal can be deferred until the student is no longer in school. A co-signer is often required. For further details, contact a loans officer at your bank. Students should also inquire at their bank about special banking packages, with reduced user fees, which are often made available to students.

The University offers interest‑free loans of up to $200 for 30 days. Short‑term loans are available during the fall and spring semesters (maximum one per semester) and the deadline to apply each week is Monday at noon for a cheque on Friday of the same week. Application forms are available from the Financial Aid + Awards Office. Applicants should be aware that failure to repay this loan will result in the University withholding grades, preventing registration in subsequent terms and restricting further access to this fund.

If you are studying part-time in a degree or diploma program you may be eligible to apply for the federal part-time loan program and/or grants as long as you meet the eligibility criteria.

Only Canadian citizens, landed immigrants and convention refugees can be considered for the following part-time assistance.

  • Canada Student Grant for Students with Permanent Disabilities
  • Supplemental Bursary for Students with Disabilities
  • Canada Student Grant for Part-Time Students
  • Canada Student Grant for Part-Time Students with Dependants
  • Canada Student Loan for Part-Time Students

Grant funding will assist with tuition costs, books and supplies, transportation, child care and a miscellaneous allowance. It does not cover living costs.

If you are studying or are planning to be a part-time student and want to explore your funding options, please contact the Financial Aid + Awards office at (604) 844-3844 for an appointment.