How to Proceed
Items of Interest
Before
Your Studies
During
Your Studies
After
Your Studies
Parents, Sponsor,
Spouse
Eligibility Period and Debt Limit
Eligibility period
Financial assistance is granted in the form of a loan only or in the form of a loan and bursary for a number of months of study determined according to the level of education, the type of degree and the program.
The eligibility period for a loan is the anticipated duration of study, plus 15 months.
The eligibility period for a bursary is the anticipated duration of study, plus 6 months.
Basic eligibility periods |
|||
Studies |
Anticipated
duration of study |
Loan |
Bursary |
| Secondary school (vocational training) |
20 months | 35 months | The first 26 months |
| College (pre-university training) | 18 months | 33 months | The first 24 months |
| College (technical training) | 27 months | 42 months | The first 33 months |
| University (bachelor's degree) | 24 months | 39 months | The first 30 months |
| University (master's degree) | 16 months | 31 months | The first 22 months |
| University (doctoral degree) | 32 months | 47 months | The first 38 months |
| Note – Students in university programs or the equivalent qualify for financial assistance for an overall maximum of 88 months of study. | |||
Some programs have a longer anticipated duration than the average specified above. In such cases, nine months is added to the period specified for loan eligibility and six months is added for bursary eligibility.
If you are eligible for a loan at the beginning of an award year, you will continue to be eligible throughout that year, even if you attain the maximum eligibility period.
If you change program over the course of the year, your eligibility is reviewed on the basis of your circumstances at the beginning of the school year, taking into account the eligibility period for the level of education you have chosen and the number of months of eligibility that have expired.
Debt limit
The debt limit is also determined according to the level of education, the type of degree and the program.
Your debt corresponds to the amount owing on your student loan, plus any outstanding bursary overpayments.
Debt limits |
|
| Level of education | Limit |
| Secondary school
Vocational training |
$22 000 |
| College
Pre-university studies
|
$16 000 $23 000 $27 000 $27 000 |
| University Bachelor's degree Programs with an anticipated duration of less than 28 months Programs with an anticipated duration of 28 months or longer |
$30 000 $36 000 |
| Master's degree
Programs with an anticipated duration of less than 20 months |
$42 000 $48 000 |
| Doctoral degree
All programs of study |
$55 000 |
| All degrees
Programs of study outside Québec, but in Canada |
$55 000 $70 000 |
If you are eligible for financial assistance at the beginning of the award year for recognized studies, you will continue to be eligible for the entire year, even if you reach the maximum debt limit for your level of education, type of degree or program of study during the year. Please note, however, that if a change relating to a previous application occurs and your debt is increased, your debt will be considered to have been established at the beginning of the year. Consequently, a new assessment will be performed and your eligibility for financial assistance will be evaluated. If, as a result of such a change, it is established that you attained the maximum debt level at the beginning of the year, you will no longer be eligible for financial assistance for the current year.
If you change program over the course of the year, your eligibility will be reviewed on the basis of your circumstances at the beginning of the school year, taking into account the debt limit set for the level of education you have chosen and the level of debt already attained.
