Financial Assistance

Government Student Loans

Financial assistance is available for full-time students (those taking 60% or more of a full course load) who are Canadian citizens or landed immigrants through the Canadian Federal and Provincial Government Student Loan programs. Students must apply for loans through the province in which they have established residency.

Students who have not resided in the province for 12 months to which they are applying for 12 months or more, must submit their student loan application to their original province of residency.

Student loans must be repaid at interest rates established by the government through the National Student Loan Service Centre starting six months after graduation. However, the government pays interest to the bank on the student's behalf while they are engaged in full-time study. Students who are actively seeking work but are unemployed at the end of the six month grace period may apply for interest relief on their Canada and provincial student loans. Please contact a Financial Services Representative for more information.

British Columbia

Residents of British Columbia apply for loans through Student Aid BC. This combines the Federal Canada Student Loan Program and the Canada Study Grant for Students with Dependent Children with the Provincial BC Student Loan Program. Eligibility is determined by those agencies, which are independent of the Centre for Arts and Technology. Applications can be completed online. A Financial Services Representative can assist you with any questions you may have as well as provide you with a paper application if desired. To contact Student Aid BC directly, call 1.800.561.1818.

New Brunswick 

In New Brunswick, the Student Financial Services (SFS) Branch administers and delivers all of the government student loan programs and associated bursaries and grants. For more information about the SFS, including eligibility requirements, visit their website or contact them by phone at 1.800.667.5626. Student Financial Services can also be contacted via mail at:

Nova Scotia

In Nova Scotia, the Student Financial Services (SFS) Branch administers and delivers all government student loan programs and associated bursaries and grants. For more information abou the SFS, visit their website or contact them by phone at 1.800.565.8420. In the Halifax area, call 902.424.8420. Telecommunication for the hearing impaired is available at 902.424.2058. They can also be contacted via mail at:

Payment Plans

Subject to credit approval by the Centre for Arts and Technology Financial Services Department, payment plans are available in many circumstances. With all payment plans, 100% of tuition must be paid prior to completion of the program. At some campuses, payment plans may be subject to a financing fee. To discuss setting up a payment plan, please contact a Financial Services Representative.

Discounts

A tuition discount is available as an early payment incentive to those paying 100% of tuition prior to their start date. Please note that this is not available at all campuses.

Aboriginal Students

There is financial support available for Aboriginal students for tuition, textbooks, and cost of living. Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) provide financial support to Status Indian and Inuit students. Students should contact their local band office for more information on eligibility and applying for funding. For more information about this program, please visit the Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development website. Students with Métis ancestry should contact their local Métis Association for information about funding.

Other Financial Assistance Options

In addition to the programs listed above, there are a number of other financial assistance options to help you receive your education. These options include Registered Education Savings Plans (RESPs), Lifelong Learning Plan, (LLP), Canada Education Savings Grants (CESG), borrowing from Financial Institutions, external bursaries and grants, as well as government subsidized programs through Employment Insurance, provincial WorkSafe programs, and Service Canada. It is strongly recommended that prospective students discuss financial options with their Program Advisor and the Financial Services Department to obtain a comprehensive understanding of the different options.

(The Centre for Arts and Technology cannot guarantee and is not responsible for the validity of information contained on external websites.)