Compared to a domestic student, international student financial assistance options are more limited.

However there are still options if you need financial aid to complete your education. The simplest of your options which can be done even before you leave your home country is looking for scholarships and bursaries in your home country. You shouldn’t need to already be accepted in your secondary education institution of choice to receive your scholarships or bursaries, but some institutions may require you to prove you have been accepted. If you already have been accepted you may also want to look into entry scholarships and bursaries. Some secondary education institutions also offer scholarships and bursaries based solely on the merit that you are an international student, which can also help. It may not be as much as a scholarship or bursary from your home country but every bit helps.

Another option for international student financial assistance is government aid. Under government aid falls a third form of scholarships and bursaries, “Government of Canada International Scholarships”. You should be able to explore this option on the Canada International Scholarships website.

If scholarships and bursaries cannot fully cover your education fully then there is another option, student loans. Student loans are offered by multiple institutions and individuals, including the government of Canada which is considered a federal loan. If you obtain a loan from somewhere else other than a government, it is likely a private loan. Student loans are available if you absolutely need it and you should only borrow the bare minimum of what you need, you do not want to end up owing more than you can pay back. You should never spend this money on luxuries as all of it should go toward your education and cost of living.

Refugees and Protected Persons

Protected persons/convention refugees can apply for a Canada Student Loan. You need a Protected Person Status Document (PPSD) and a Social Insurance Number (SIN) to apply. Both these documents must be valid for your entire period of study.

To apply for the Canada Student Loan, you must apply through the provincial financial assistance provider, OSAP. Find more information about the Canada Student Loan.

Some charities, community organizations and private foundations give out scholarships for refugees.

For More Information

• Studying in Canada – Information from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for people planning to come to Canada as international students.
• Information for Students Educated Abroad Applying for Admission to Canadian Universities and Colleges – Answers to some basic questions, includes links to relevant organizations and resources.
• Benefits Wayfinder – This bilingual one-stop portal lets you search for federal, provincial, and territorial benefits, as well as COVID-19 related resources. From Prosper Canada.