Canada Student Loans

Canada Student Loans are interest-free while you’re enrolled in full-time studies, and you’re automatically considered for additional grant funding when you apply. Grant eligibility is based on family income, and these loans are available exclusively to Canadian students.

While you’re studying full-time, you don’t need to make payments, and the government covers the interest during this period.

After graduation, you’ll have a six-month grace period before repayment begins. If you’re facing financial difficulty, you may be eligible for the Repayment Assistance Plan to help manage your loan.

Guide to Canada Student Loans

Important Briercrest Information

Briercrest Institutional Code - CPAC

2025-26 Period of Study Dates

Full Year: August 25, 2025 - April 17, 2026
Fall Semester only: August 25, 2025 - December 18, 2025
Winter Semester only: January 5, 2026 - April 17, 2026

Note: student registered in modulars classes outside these dates, please contact the Student Finance office.

Tuition and Fees

Book estimate - $150 per 3 credit hour course

Room and Board is calculated using a set standard of living costs for rent, utilities, food and clothing for each month of full-time study so you will not be asked for room and board specific information.

Loan Eligibility

You must be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident or protected person.
You must be a full-time student.
You are considered full-time if you are taking 60% of a 100% course load. At Briercrest you must be registered in minimum of 9 credit hours per semester to be considered for full-time student loans.
Student Financial Assistance Estimator
Parental Contribution Estimator
Grants for Full-time students
Grants for Part-time students
Part-time student loans

How to Apply

You apply directly through your home province's loan office. Applications are available online. Your application will be considered for federal and provincial loans and grants.

Applications open mid-May to mid-June for the upcoming academic year.

Submitting Program Information and Finalizing Your Student Loan

Once you’ve submitted your student loan application, Briercrest will need to provide your program information to your provincial student aid office. Some provinces request this electronically, while others require a paper Program Information Form to be completed by our Student Finance Office.

To request a form, please email studentfinance@briercrest.ca or fax it to 306-912-7862. The sooner this is completed, the better the chances your funding will arrive before the academic year begins.

When you receive your Notice of Assessment, you’ll be asked to sign a Master Student Financial Assistance Agreement (MSFAA). This agreement confirms your responsibility for any funding you receive. You’ll only need to sign the MSFAA once—unless you’ve been out of school and loan-free for two years or more. We recommend completing this before arriving on campus in September.

For full details, visit your provincial student aid website.

Finalizing Your Loan and Confirming Enrolment

Be sure to carefully review your Notice of Assessment, paying close attention to the amount and disbursement date of your funding.

The final step in the loan process is for Briercrest to confirm your enrolment. At that point, we’ll request that the funds be sent directly to the school to be applied to your student account, in accordance with provincial guidelines. You’ll receive an email from the Student Finance Office confirming the amount being directed to Briercrest.

Please note: It is the student’s responsibility to monitor their account and ensure that all tuition, fees, and room and board are paid in full by the posted deadlines.

Keeping Your Student Loan Interest-Free While You Study

If you’re registered as a full-time student and taking out a new loan that is confirmed before September 30, Briercrest will automatically confirm your enrolment with your government loan provider—no action needed on your part.

If your new loan won’t be confirmed by September 30, or you’re not taking out a new loan this year, you’ll need to submit a Confirmation of Enrolment (Schedule 2) to maintain your interest-free status.

Ontario students: Submit a Continuation of Interest-Free Status application online or complete and mail the paper form.
Students from all other provinces: Submit the Schedule 2 electronically through your NSLSC account.
1. Create or log in to your NSLSC Online Services account.
2. Select “Confirmation of Enrolment” in the menu.
3. Fill out the required information and submit your request.
Once submitted, Briercrest will complete the confirmation electronically. This will ensure your loan remains interest-free while you’re in school.

Understanding Loan Repayment

The National Student Loan Service Centre (NSLSC) is a valuable resource for managing and repaying your student loan. Be sure to review information specific to your province, as repayment processes can vary.

If you’re from British Columbia, Ontario, New Brunswick, Newfoundland, or Saskatchewan, you can view your loan balance directly through your NSLSC account.
If you’re from Alberta, Manitoba, Nova Scotia, or Prince Edward Island, you’ll find your Canada Student Loan information on NSLSC, while provincial loan balances must be accessed through your provincial lender.

To help you plan ahead, the Loan Repayment Estimator is a great tool—you can calculate your minimum monthly payments and see how making extra payments could reduce your overall interest.

If you’re experiencing financial difficulty, the Government of Canada offers a Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP) to help make your payments more manageable. For more details, visit the Repayment Assistance Plan page.

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