In Canada, does the government provide aid for college?

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CanTexan

There are two situations to consider. The first is direct aid (paid to the student) and the second is indirect aid (paid to the university or college).

DIRECT AID:
The Canadian provincial governments have instituted loan programs through commercial banking institutions (referred to as "student loans", since these are paid direct to the student). In effect, the government guarantees the value of the loan while the student is in school, with the responsibility for paying back the loan becoming the student's responsibility upon graduation (or other termination of schooling). Most of these are "zero interest" while the student is in school; in some cases, they aren't.

Secondly, there are specific grants (one time payments to the student, based on certain criteria ... think along the lines of scholarships or bursaries!). These do not require repayment; they are simply a "leg up" toward expenses. Unfortunately, the amounts of these grants is quite small compared with the actual cost of education.

INDIRECT AID:
This is where a large proportion of government expense toward post-secondary education occurs. It is accomplished at both the federal and provincial levels. In this form of aid, the government pays funds to institutions - usually by funding research grants, aiding construction costs for new buildings/facilities, or funding teaching positions.

To compare the two: a student sees that one year's expenses may come to $12000 ... and a student loan for some portion of that amount is incurred. This is the "direct aid". However, the ACTUAL cost of one year's study is approximately $30000 ... the difference between what the student sees as cost and the actual value is covered by the "indirect aid", which is partially from government and partially from corporate or private sponsorship funding.

Mike

It's different in each province. In Ontario there is OSAP(Ontario Student Assistance Program). This is a government sponsored loan issued to students by a Canadian banking institution. The student also receives a credit card as a portal to establishing credit. The idea is, if the student responsibly pays off the loan and pays the balance of the credit card(thus building credit), they will have an education as well as good credit.

J S

We have two types of assistance Loans and Grants. Depending on a few factors. type of school attended. course etc. Some of your help will be in the form of the loan(you have to start paying back within a set time upon graduation or quitting) and the grant which is your money free and clear.

HAPA CHIC

they'll give you a student load if you want ...but no college and university is not free! You have to pay the government back!

The guy above ...is misleading ...in ontario it is called OSAP!

Its a loan ...you are expected to pay back

Mr. P's Person

Very little. It's much easier to get a loan than a grant. The grants are usually very small. Even though both of my kids did real well in school they were pretty much on their own when it came to college. Both are still paying off student loans

nbr660

They do here in Ontario.

Bluelady...

yes they do and here is there web site :

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/study/index.asp
http://www.ucfv.ca/home.htm
http://www.tunu.com/sear/g/o/government.html

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