Paying for school in Canada comes down to three questions: what it will cost, how you will cover it, and how you will manage money while you study. This guide gives the short answer to each and points to the page that covers it in full.
What school costs
Tuition is set by each school and varies most by province and program; residence, rent, food and books often add more than tuition itself for students who move away from home. The full breakdown, with tuition by province and program and four-year totals, is on what university costs in Canada. For a month-by-month view of living costs in Toronto, Vancouver, Halifax and smaller cities, see the student budget by city. Other everyday costs, from cars to weddings, are collected in the how much does it cost directory.
Graduate students face a different mix of funding and costs: see graduate school funding for tri-council awards, university funding packages and TA and RA work.
How to pay for it
Most students combine several sources. The order below runs from money you never repay to money you borrow.
| Source | Repayable? | Where it’s covered |
|---|---|---|
| Provincial grants and bursaries | No | Provincial student grants by province |
| Federal grants | No | Canada Student Grants |
| Scholarships and bursaries from schools and donors | No | Paying for school without loans |
| RESP withdrawals | No | RESP withdrawals for school |
| Work during school and summers | Not applicable | Taxes for students who work |
| Government student loans | Yes | How Canadian student loans work |
| A bank student line of credit | Yes | Student line of credit vs student loan |
Grants and loans are assessed together when you apply through your province’s student aid program, which also processes the federal portion. Ontario students apply through OSAP: the OSAP guide explains how it works and the OSAP calculator estimates an award. Each province’s loan program has its own page in the student loans hub.
After school, government loan payments can be reduced or paused under the Repayment Assistance Plan if your income is low. A bank line of credit has no equivalent, which is the main trade-off covered on the line of credit vs student loan page.
Managing money while you study
- Budget. Start from your real monthly costs: rent, food, transit, phone and books, against what grants, loans, work and family will cover. The student budget by city shows typical monthly totals and how to build your own.
- Discounts. Student pricing on transit, software, phones and food can add up over a year: see the student discounts list.
- Banking. Most big banks and several online banks offer a no-fee account for students: compare them on student bank accounts.
- Credit. A first card with a small limit, paid in full each month, starts a credit history before graduation: see student credit cards.
- Taxes. Filing a return each year, even with little income, records your tuition amounts and makes you eligible for benefits. The student tax guide covers filing when you work, the tuition tax credit covers how tuition reduces tax (claimed from your T2202 slip), and tax on scholarships and stipends explains when award money is taxable.
Students in other situations
- International students face higher tuition, a cap on off-campus work hours and a proof-of-funds requirement for the study permit: see international student finances.
- Taking a year off before or during school: gap year planning covers costs, savings and working-holiday visas.
- Teens learning the basics before post-secondary: money basics for teens.
- Parents of school-age kids: back-to-school costs covers what September costs and when to buy.
All student finance articles
Costs and budgeting
Paying for school
- Provincial Student Grants Guide
- Graduate School Funding
- Student Line of Credit vs Student Loan
- How to Pay for College Without Loans
Students in other situations
Before post-secondary
Browse All Student Money Guide: Finance Essentials for Canadian Students Articles
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