Eligibility for Student Financing

Student financing or student loans are given to adults to help pay for the cost of their education. They must be paid back with interest once the school program or course is finished. Usually, student loans are for registered full-time students at post-secondary (university or college) institutions and not for short-term courses such as ESL (English as a Second Language) classes. These loans are often provided by banks but are administered through different provinces so you will need to check what agency oversees student loans in the province in which you are or will be living. Loans and grants are also provided by the Canada Student Loan program. Approval of loans is not automatic and you may be refused.

Usually, you will have to show that you are established in a province before being approved. If your husband is sponsoring you that means he has made an agreement with the government to provide for you financially, so you may not be eligible. But it is always a good idea to check for your eligibility.

It is best to phone the Student Funding Contact Centre (SFCC) at 427-3722 in Edmonton or 1-800-222-6485 across Canada. For more information, go to the Alberta Learning Information Service website.