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Student Loans in Canada – The Ultimate Guide

September 9, 2018 By Samantha Leave a Comment

There are plenty of ways to pay for college in Canada, and many young people opt for student loans to pay tuition fees, room and board, textbooks, books and other expenses.

Student Loan in Canada Overview

Who Offers Student Loans

Financing is available from different sources, including the federal and provincial governments as well as private providers such as banks, finance companies, and credit unions. The Government of Canada offers federal loans to students enrolled in designated universities and colleges. The provincial governments also offer funding in the form of grants, bursaries, and loans. The rules and requirements vary by province and territory. Quebec, the Northwest Territories, and Nunavut, for example, have their own funding programs, and federal loans are not available. Depending on the student’s territory or province of residence, when applying for funding, students may be asked to provide information such as their bank account number in Canada, their last year’s income tax return, birth date, social insurance number, spouse or parents’ social insurance numbers, etc. Undergraduates who fail to qualify for federal or provincial assistance often apply for a loan with their local bank or credit union or a major bank such as BMO or RBC. Many financial institutions feature education or student lines of credit with reasonable interest rates to help pay major expenses such as residency and tuition fees. Personal loans are also available to meet college-related expenses and come with either variable or fixed rate. Some banks also offer scholarships based on merit and scholarships for females, indigenous and aboriginal people, children of their employees, and people in special circumstances in general.

Laws and Regulations

A number of regulations and laws govern loan provision, including the Canada Student Financial Assistance Act, Canada Student Loans Act, and others. The Canada Student Loans Regulations, for example, include provisions on applicable interest rates, payment of interest rate and the principal, agreements and alterations, consolidation, reinstatement and continuation, and a lot more.

Federal Government Student Loan Programs

Canada Student Loan Program (CSLP)

Funding under the Canada Student Loan Program is available in most Canadian territories and provinces, including Quebec, Ontario, British Columbia, Nova Scotia, and others. There are certain eligibility criteria to meet, one being financial need. Students qualify for financial assistance provided that they are enrolled part-time or full-time in a certificate, diploma, or degree program. Permanent residents and citizens qualify for funding, and protected and designated persons are also eligible to apply. People aged 22 and over are required to pass a credit check.
The repayment period begins once people leave school, transfer from full-time to part-time studies, graduate from school, or leave school for a period of more than 6 months. There are different types of repayment assistance plans for undergraduates who find it difficult to keep up with payments, including Canada Student Loan Rehabilitation, revision of terms, the Repayment Assistance Plan, and others.

Canada Student Grants Program (CSGP)

Government grants are available to students from middle- and low-income families who are enrolled in a post-secondary program. Only people in designated institutions qualify for grants. Designated colleges and universities include the Red Deer College, Mount Royal University, College of New Caledonia, Atlantic Business College, Maritime Business College, and more.
There are plenty of options to look into, among which grants for part-time and full-time students, for persons with disabilities, people with dependents, aboriginal people, registered apprentices, and others. Full-time scholars are eligible to apply provided that they are enrolled in a certificate, diploma, or degree program. Funding is based on financial need, i.e. factors such as household annual income and family size. In addition, there are different programs to look into, examples being the Athlete Assistance Program and Post-Secondary Student Support Program.

Provincial and Territorial Student Loans

Alberta: The Alberta Learning Information Service

Scholars are eligible to apply for grants and student loans based on financial need. Funding is available to help meet expenses such as supplies and books, mandatory fees, and tuition fees. The monthly allowance is different for people with dependent children and those with no children. Students with dependents can also apply for dental, optical, and medical coverage.

British Columbia: StudentAidBC

People in British Columbia have different options to meet college expenses, including scholarships, grants, and loans. Other types of financial assistance include the Youth Educational Assistance Fund, work study programs, bursaries, awards.

Manitoba: Manitoba Student Aid

Students in Manitoba are offered financial aid in the form of bursaries, grants, and loans. Protected persons, landed immigrants, and Canadian citizens qualify for assistance. Undergraduate loans are interest-free during the repayment period and while enrolled in a diploma or degree program.

New Brunswick: New Brunswick’s Student Financial Service

Scholars in New Brunswick have access to a number of programs and services, among which personal learning and academic upgrading programs, digital literacy training, GED preparation courses, employment counseling and assistance services, financial assistance, and others. When applying for financial assistance, people are asked to provide details such as citizenship, province of residence, visible minority status, and category, i.e. married, single parent, or dependent.

Newfoundland and Labrador: Newfoundland and Labrador Student Aid

Aid is offered in the form of grants and loans and is available to part-time and full-time students as well as to persons with permanent disabilities. Applicants who are landed immigrants or Canadian citizens and demonstrate financial need qualify for assistance. To maintain eligibility, students are required to have an 80-percent course load for provincial funding and a 60-percent load for federal funding. Different types of assistance are available, including NL and Canada loans, the Canada Student Grant for Adult Learners.

Northwest Territories: NWT Student Financial Assistance

In the Northwest Territories, funding is available under the Student Financial Assistance Program. There are different types of funding for part-time and full-time students, including course reimbursement, the NWT Grant for Students with Permanent Disabilities, repayable loans, remissible loans, and basic grants. Repayable loans are offered to help students meet expenses such as travel, books, tuition fees, etc. Remissible loans, on the other hand, are in the form of a monthly living allowance.

Nova Scotia: Nova Scotia Assistance

There are different types of funding available, including grants and Canada Student and Nova Scotia loans. Financial assistance is available to both full- and part-time students. When applying, they are asked to provide information such as their income and spouse’s income, course description, start and end date.

Ontario: Ontario Student Assistance Program

In Ontario, funding is available to students who are enrolled in private career colleges, diploma and college programs, and universities. The type and amount of funding depends on factors such as parental income, number of children, and the year in which the student graduated from high school. Financial assistance is also available to people in special circumstances such as those on social assistance, deaf students and those with hearing problems, former and current crown wards, and other categories. Sources of funding include the indigenous people bursary, living and learning grant, and others.

Prince Edward Island: PEI Student Financial Services

People enrolled in the College de l’Ile, Maritime Christian College, Holland College, and UPEI are eligible to get a bursary in the amount of $4,400 to $8,800. There is no need to apply. They can also apply for the Government of PEI Marine Atlantic Bursary and Community Service Bursary. Loans are also offered to students from middle- and low-income families. In addition, there are different types of funding available, including the Island Student Award, Island Skills Award, George Coles Graduate Scholarship, Career Connect, and others. Debt reduction is available to scholars who are unable to keep up with repayment.

Quebec: Aide financiere aux etudes

Part-time students are offered loans while full-time students are eligible to apply for grants and loans. People with special needs are also offered material resources, special needs housing, paratransit, and specialized services. Scholars with disabilities are eligible, including those with organic and motor impairment, speech and language impairment, and severe hearing and visual impairment.
People who are unable to repay their loan are offered a deferred payment plan whereby the government of Quebec pays monthly interest on behalf of the debtor over a certain period of time /up to 6 months/.

Saskatchewan: Saskatchewan Student Financial Assistance Program

The Government of Saskatchewan offers grants and loans to scholars who are enrolled in post-secondary programs. When applying for a loan, people are asked to provide personal information such as social insurance number, dependents, ancestry, program information, name of institution, and so on. Students enrolled in designated universities are eligible to apply, including St. Peter’s College, Luther College, First Nations University of Canada, University of Regina.
Student Loan Forgiveness for Nurses and Nurse Practitioners is a program that targets healthcare practitioners and encourages them to move to small remote and rural communities. To be eligible under the program, applicants must have a license to practice in the province as a nurse practitioner, licensed practical nurse, registered psychiatric nurse, or registered nurse. To apply, healthcare practitioners are asked to provide employment information such as name of facility, profession, work address, valid registration number, loan forgiveness period, and attestor or supervisor information.

Yukon Territory: Yukon Student Financial Assistance

Students in Yukon have plenty of options to explore when it comes to financial assistance, including scholarships, training allowance, Yukon Excellence Awards, Canada student grants and loans, and the Yukon Grant. The latter is offered to people enrolled in post-secondary studies, including PhD and Master’s Programs. Only scholars enrolled in designated institutions qualify, such institutions being the Yukon College and Alkan Air Flight Training.

Private Student Loans

Loan Types

Financial institutions in Canada offer student lines of credit, personal loans, and specialty and standard student credit cards. Big banks such as the Royal Bank of Canada and the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce offer lines of credit with competitive interest rates, extended grace periods, and flexible limits. Credit lines are offered to undergrads who are pursuing a degree in Veterinary Studies, Dentistry, Medicine, Law, Engineering, Accounting, and others. Applicants are asked to provide proof of citizenship or residency status, list of financial resources, cost estimate, and confirmation of enrollment. Examples of financial resources to include are part-time employment, government financial assistance, bursaries and scholarships, RESPs, and others. Scholars are also asked to provide a cost estimate, including travel expenses, room and board, fees, supplies and textbooks, and tuition fees. Credit unions, banks, and other establishments also offer personal loans with flexible repayment periods. Some banks offer loans with no prepayment penalty. Many finance companies and banks feature student credit cards with attractive interest rates, welcome bonuses, awards points, cash back on purchases, and other beneficial features. There are credit cards that go with sign-up bonuses, no annual fees, comprehensive travel and medical insurance, and generous discounts.

Who Offers Private Student Loans

Big banks such as TD Bank, Scotiabank, BMO, CIBC, and RBC offer private loans and other borrowing solutions. TD Bank, for example, offers home equity and personal loans to help students pay major college expenses.

Education Savings – Canada Education Savings Grant and Registered Education Savings Plans

The Canada Education Savings Grant is money contributed to a RESP by the government. The goal is to help parents save toward education. The money can be used to cover the cost of part- and full-time studies in a designated university, college, trade school, publicly funded college or pre-university, or apprenticeship program. Parents, guardians, relatives, and others that choose to open a Registered Education Savings Plan are required to make a personal contribution. For every $1 contributed, the Canada Education Savings Grant contributes 20 cents.

Too Many Bills to Pay? What Bills to Pay and What to Put Off

June 15, 2015 By Samantha Leave a Comment

Bills are piling up and you are short of cash to meet all expenses. You receive letters from financial institutions and utility companies as well as threatening calls. This is a warning sign that it is high time to put your finances in order and start to prioritize. There are expenses you cannot cut off completely such as insurance, groceries, and shelter and bills you can delay paying or you can look for cheaper alternatives.

Most Important – Basics

Obviously, you cannot go without basic necessities such as food, shelter, and utilities and there are bills you cannot delay paying.

Groceries

We buy groceries on a weekly and even daily basis and while there are ways to save on groceries, you cannot live without food. A balanced and diversified menu is essential for your health. Whenever you can, use grocery store coupons.

Shelter

Shelter means security for your children, family, and belongings. Whether paying rent or mortgage, you need a certain sum of money on a monthly basis. Otherwise you risk losing your home or your landlord will take action against you.

Transportation

Transportation is also an important consideration. We use public transport or drive to work, for grocery shopping, emergencies, and so on. There are unexpected expenses such as car repairs as well.

Utilities

Utilities are basic expenses for gas, power, water. This is the minimum to keep your home heated, clean, and safe. There are ways to save on utilities such as buying energy efficient light bulbs.

Insurance

Home, health, and auto insurance are necessary expenses. Home insurance covers your property and belongings while health insurance pays for hospital accommodation, treatment at the ER, medical expenses, and more.

Less Important

While you cannot deprive your children of shelter and food, there are expenses and services that are less important for the health, safety, and wellbeing of your family. Less important expenses are those that bring comfort and enjoyment but you can cancel subscriptions such as gym memberships and magazine subscriptions if need be. The same goes for internet, cable TV, and cell phone plans.

Phone

Obviously, it is important to have a phone in case of emergency. What you can do is cancel your cell phone plan and keep the landline.

Gym Membership

Unless you go to the gym for health-related reasons, look for ways to reduce membership costs. One way to do this is to cancel your membership and shop for deals during the slow season. Another way to save money on membership is to go at the end of the month and check for deals and promos.

Cable TV

There are ways to reduce your cable TV bill and free up cash to pay for necessities and emergencies. You can lower your bill by paring down your subscription plan. Another option is to cancel your plan and comparison shop to find a low-priced plan. Downsize and bargain.

Internet

To lower your internet bill, contact your provider and ask for lower-priced packages. Check what competing providers have on offer for new customers and ask your neighbors, colleagues, and friends about the types of deals they are getting. One way to negotiate a discount with your current provider is to tell them that you are not satisfied with the level of service.

Credit Card Bills

Credit card and loan balances contribute to piling debt. If money runs tight, it is time to look at your income and prioritize bills. Your income should cover basic necessities and debt payments at the very least. If you have multiple debts, you may want to prioritize and pay high interest balances first. If you have cash advances or payday loans that go with extremely high rates, think of ways to repay these debts first.

Decisions, Decisions

The most important step is to decide what to keep and what you can do without until you repay your debts, find a well-paid employment, and get back on your feet. Compiling a list of your expenses helps create a realistic budget. This is a good way to find out where your money is going. List your basic expenses first to see how much you are left with for other expenses. Then you can make a decision on what you can do without, whether it is cable TV, gym, or magazine subscriptions.

What to Do Next

The first step is to decide what bills to put off and how to scale down your expenses. The next steps are to pay outstanding balances and find a second job, additional source of income, or a high-paid position. If you have high-interest cards, shop around for a balance transfer card with a long introductory period and zero interest rate. You may want to open a savings, money-market, or checking account and use it as an emergency fund to cover the basics and pay off existing debts.

Conclusion

There are ways to create a realistic budget and stick to it to be able to meet all expenses, both basics and expenses such as cable TV and gym memberships. It is important to prioritize necessities, activities, and expenses to avoid excessive debt and live within your means. Talk to all family members and discuss different ways in which everyone can help lower your household bills. This is also a great way to teach your children a lesson to learn how to be financially responsible.

5 Steps to Debt-Free 2015

January 5, 2015 By Samantha Leave a Comment

Is Debt-Free 2015 Possible? Start Planning Now

Medical bills, car and mortgage payments, and card balances add up unless you acquire good financial and budgeting skills. Specialist advice and online spending and budget tools can help sort out your finances for a debt-free new year.

1. Get a Good Look at Your Budget

The first step is to look at your family’s budget, income, and expenses. Make a list of all sources of income, including bonuses, wages, salary, rental income, cash in savings accounts, employee achievement awards, child support payments, and others. Then list all expenses, for example, utility bills, insurance premiums, groceries, rent, loan and credit card payments, and others. Compare your expenses and income to see where your money is going. This will help you to make a good decision about future purchases and how to allocate your money.

TOOLS: Budget Tools and Calculators

One option is to use online budget tools such as planners and calculators. Some tools help track sources of income, spending, and savings, investment, and checking accounts. There are online budget calculators that allow users to develop a budget based on their total income and expenses such as health and medical bills, clothing, transportation, housing, food, utilities, and others. There is an option to print your budget. Some online calculators allow users to plug in monthly expenses and savings and annual income and expenses.

2. Set Your Financial Goals

Setting your financial goals is also a very important step. Consider factors such as total debt, income level, household size, age of family members, and others. If you have excessive debt, it may be a good idea to prioritize debts. Setting up an emergency fund is also a good idea. You may want to open a savings account to save for unexpected expenses such as medical bills and car and home repairs.

Think of long-term and short-term financial goals you want to achieve. Examples of short-term goals are saving for a summer holiday or car down payment, minor home improvements and projects, buying furniture or electronics, and others. In general, these are goals to achieve over a period of 1 – 2 years. Long-term financial goals take more time to achieve, i.e. 5 – 15 years. Examples are saving for retirement or college education, saving for a large mortgage down payment, and others. Such goals require financial commitment and discipline.

TOOLS: Financial Goal Calculators and Other Tools

There are some tools that help set your financial goals, including money saving apps, tools to track spending, financial goal calculators, and others. Financial goal calculators ask users about their monthly income before taxes. Users can choose from different goals, for example, saving for retirement and getting out of debt. If you are looking for ways to get rid of debt, choose this option and plug in details such as payment frequency, interest rate, current balance, type of debt, target end date, payments, amount, and others. There is an option to view a debt chart.

3. Reduce Your Spending

This is one way to get out of debt quicker. Look at your list of expenses to see if you can reduce your spending. There are different ways to cut your spending without changing your lifestyle too much. It is a good idea to create a shopping list to avoid buying on impulse. You will also save on gas by making a single trip to the grocery store. Compare prices at different stores and clip coupons to reduce your spending. Instead of eating out, you may want to pack your lunch to save money. Unsubscribe to sales alerts to avoid impulse purchases.

TOOLS: Cut Back Calculators to Track and Reduce Spending

You can also use different online tools that help reduce your spending. There are cut back calculators that allow users to choose from different purchases, for example, takeaways, petrol, music, magazines, lottery tickets, gym, and movies. You can also choose from fares, coffee, cigarettes, chocolate, alcohol, and other purchases. You are also asked about the price and purchase frequency. For example, if you smoke 1 pack a day and it costs $4.50, you will save $135 a month.

4. Use Debt Consolidation Specialist/Service

Using a debt consolidation service is also an option if you have high interest balances. Consolidation specialists help customers to secure a lower interest rate and more affordable payments.

In general, debt consolidation is an alternative to bankruptcy, credit counseling, and consumer proposal and can be used for unsecured loans. If you have multiple high-interest cards, you may want to transfer your balances to a low-interest credit card. The right approach depends on the types of debt you have, the amounts owed or outstanding balances, the interest charges, repayment terms, credit standing, and other factors. Debt consolidation specialists offer professional advice and counseling and free savings estimates. Your consolidation specialist will ask about the total debt held, including student loans, health club memberships, lines of credit, medical bills, and legal bills. Other types of unsecured debt include cell phone bills, personal loans, department store credit cards, and unsecured credit cards. Secured loans are not accepted, including auto loans and mortgages that require collateral. Specialists also offer personalized solutions to your debt worries as well as tools, tips, education, and resources.

TOOLS: Debt Consolidation Calculators

You can use debt consolidation calculators to find out how much you will save. To this, choose from different types of debt such as retail credit cards, standard credit cards, consumer loans, and others. Enter the estimated monthly payment, current balance, and annual percentage rate.

5. Become Debt Free

There are different ways to go about excessive debt and alternatives to choose from. Options to consider include settlement, debt management plans, budget planning, individual voluntary arrangement, and self-money management. Other options include formal proposal, negotiation, and debt restructuring. These are alternatives to bankruptcy, and the choice depends on whether you have delinquent or excessive debts and other factors. A home equity loan is one option if you have debt problems. In this case, your home equity is used for loan repayment. The good thing about home equity loans is that lenders offer attractive interest rates because your home serves as collateral and a guarantee of repayment. A debt management plan is another option to pay down your outstanding balances. In this case, your financial institution may be willing to lower the interest rate to make payments more affordable, especially if you are about to default. Finally, debt settlement is yet another option to become debt free. This method involves a cash settlement with your financial institution. A one-time payment is required in exchange for a partial debt payment.

Getting out of Debt: Get a Chance with Debt Consolidation Loans

December 10, 2014 By Samantha 2 Comments

A consolidation loan helps combine multiple high-interest accounts and obtain a fixed or lower interest rate. This is one way to make payments affordable, pay down excessive debt, and reestablish your credit history.

How to Tell if You Have Bad Credit?

Having a low score affects your purchasing power and access to credit. People with poor credit find it difficult to get a job, rent a house or apartment, and meet unexpected expenses. There are some red flags and warning signs that you have made poor financial and credit decisions. If you have multiple card accounts, excessive credit card debt, and missing or late loan or card payments, you probably have less than perfect or poor credit. Getting calls from collection agencies and accounts closed by issuers are other signs that you are knee-deep in debt and need help. There are other warning signs that you need to look into different repair options, for example, having too little or too much credit and having your card and loan applications denied. Obviously, your score is the best indicator of credit problems. A FICO score below 620 means that you have poor credit.

Finding a Debt Consolidation Loan with Bad Credit

Many people check with their local banks first, especially if they are existing customers. Banks have stringent criteria for approval, however, and you may see your application turned down. Some finance companies specialize in consolidation loans for customers with tarnished credit and allow borrowers to combine payday and consumer loans into a low-cost payback solution with a single monthly payment. Look for loans with no early prepayment penalties or hidden charges.

What is the Best Way to Consolidate Debt with Bad Credit

There are different lenders that offer bad credit debt consolidation loans – payday loan providers, credit unions, and banks. The best option for customers with poor credit is probably a reputable consolidation service that charges no upfront fees and advertises generous interest savings. Credit unions are usually more lenient than other financial establishments, banks in this number. Reputable companies offer a range of options, and customers are allowed to consolidate between $2,000 and $10,000 in unsecured credit. Some providers require stable income and have minimum income requirements. If you have student loans, the best way to get out of debt is to apply for a student consolidation loan. There are two options – fixed rates and capped variable rates with terms of 5 to 15 years. Some providers also advertise loans with 20-year terms. Customers who opt for automatic payments enjoy interest rate reduction. Some issuers also offer interest rate discounts to existing customers who have checking accounts or existing loan balances. And some financial institutions even offer loan deferral options.

Are Debt Consolidation Loans Bad for Your Credit

In fact, debt consolidation loans help customers to reestablish credit. They go with lower rates and affordable monthly payments, making it easier to catch up on payments. The fact that customers have only one monthly payment means that it is easy to keep track of and avoid missed payments which affect your credit. Timely payments will boost your score and will widen the range of financial options available through mainstream financial establishments. At the same time, missing loan payments may ruin your score, leaving you with few options available, most of which carrying high interest rates. As a rule, debt consolidation has a positive effect on your score because it simplifies payments, and customers can opt for automatic payments. It is a good idea to close some existing accounts so that you avoid piling up debt again.

What are Your Chances of Getting a Debt Consolidation Loan?

Many people are unsure how to qualify for debt consolidation loan if they have a bad credit. The chances of getting a loan depend on your overall stability, employment history, and earnings. Some issuers are willing to work with customers with less than perfect credit provided that they are able to meet their payments. Finance companies often require proof of income and proof of employment such as recent pay stubs. Some issuers also look at your debt to income ratio. Your disposable income must be at least 15 percent of your gross monthly income. Your chances of getting approved for an unsecured debt consolidation loan are low if you are switching jobs often. Some financial institutions offer debt consolidation loans for bad credit to customers who have home equity. Finally, your chances of getting a loan also depend on how much you owe to different creditors.

Advantages of Debt Consolidation Loans

There are plenty of benefits for debt-ridden borrowers, one being that customers are able to eliminate debt without incurring additional charges. Budgeting and financial planning are also made easier given that customers have only one payment to make. Multiple monthly payments take a huge amount of effort and mental energy to deal with. Customers benefit from easier debt management, and payments are spread over a longer repayment term. Another benefit for borrowers is the fact that customers are allowed to consolidate different types of accounts, including credit card balances, student loans, and other unsecured debts. A further benefit is that customers can choose from several types of loans and programs, including balance transfers, and home equity loans. Unsecured loans feature shorter repayment terms and are safe for customers as they don’t risk a valuable asset. Secured loans go with lower interest rates, longer repayment terms, and affordable monthly payments. With home equity loans, borrowers benefit from the fact that interest is usually tax deductible.

Deb Consolidation Application

Disadvantages of Debt Consolidation Loans

While convenience and lower rates are major advantages, there are some issues and downsides. One of the downsides for borrowers is that a longer repayment term adds to the cost of borrowing. Customers pay more toward interest when payments are made over a longer period. A secured loan carries a risk in that customers risk losing their home, vehicle, or other asset in case of default. There are other risks as well. Retirement funds, life insurance policies, and other assets may be available for use only after loan repayment. Another issue is that financial institutions are less willing to offer unsecured short term loans to customers with poor credit. Those who are willing to work with customers with bad credit usually offer higher-than-average interest rates. The only option may be a secured loan with a competitive rate. In any case, stay away from providers that feature points, charge costly penalties, and advertise low introductory rates that skyrocket after the initial period. Finally, there are unscrupulous loan providers that assess outrageous charges and rates and try to take advantage of your financial worries. Avoid companies that offer help with bankruptcy, settlement, and debt management because these methods work differently. Also avoid issuers that offer credit insurance because it makes borrowing a costly endeavor.