Updated: April 2025  |  bremo.io financial guides

Bursaries and Grants for Canadian Students — Free Money Guide 2025

Millions of dollars in bursaries, grants, and scholarships go unclaimed every year in Canada because students don't apply. Unlike loans, grants and bursaries are free money — you don't repay them. Finding and applying for these opportunities can significantly reduce how much you need to borrow.

This guide covers every major category of free funding available to Canadian post-secondary students.

1. Canada Student Grants (Federal)

The federal government provides grants through the Canada Student Loans program. They're assessed automatically — no separate application needed:

• Canada Student Grant for Full-Time Students from Low-Income Families: Up to $4,200/year for students whose family income falls below the threshold
• Canada Student Grant for Part-Time Students from Low-Income Families: Up to $1,920/year
• Canada Student Grant for Students with Dependants: Additional support for students with children
• Canada Student Grant for Students with Permanent Disabilities: Up to $22,000/year for services, assistive technology, and accommodations

2. Provincial Grants

Most provinces offer their own grants in addition to federal ones:

• Ontario Student Grant (OSG): For students from families earning under $175,000. Students from lower-income families may receive enough to cover average tuition.
• BC Access Grant: Up to $4,000/year for BC students from lower- and middle-income families
• Alberta Grant: Supplemental aid reducing overall loan amounts for eligible Alberta students
• Nova Scotia Student Assistance Grant: Additional need-based grants for NS residents

3. School-Specific Bursaries

Almost every Canadian university and college has an in-house bursary program for students with demonstrated financial need. These are often underused simply because students don't realize they exist or think they won't qualify.

How to find them:

• Visit your school's financial aid or awards office website
• Log into your student portal — many schools list available bursaries in your account
• Apply early in the semester — many bursaries have deadlines in September and January

Typical amounts range from $200 to $2,000+ per year.

4. National Scholarships and Bursaries

Several large national programs offer bursaries to Canadian students:

• Loran Award: A prestigious award providing $100,000+ over 4 years including mentorship and summer programs. Highly competitive but worth applying.
• Terry Fox Humanitarian Award: Up to $28,000 over 4 years for students demonstrating courage and public service
• Indigenous Student Awards: Available through various foundations and band offices for First Nations, Métis, and Inuit students
• Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation: Doctoral fellowship program for Canadian PhD students

5. Corporate and Community Bursaries

Many corporations, unions, community foundations, and service organizations offer scholarships and bursaries to students in their field or community:

• Large employers (banks, telecom companies, energy firms) often offer bursaries for students in related programs
• Rotary Clubs, Lions Clubs, and community foundations offer local bursaries
• Trade unions provide bursaries for children of members
• Professional associations (engineering, nursing, accounting) offer field-specific bursaries

Search Scholarships Canada (scholarshipscanada.com) or ScholarTree for a searchable database of hundreds of options.

6. Indigenous Student Funding

Indigenous students have access to additional funding sources:

• Post-Secondary Student Support Program (PSSSP): Federal funding administered through bands for First Nations and Inuit students
• Métis Nation scholarships: Available through provincial Métis organizations
• Indspire: A non-profit that distributes bursaries and scholarships to First Nations, Inuit, and Métis students

Tips for Finding and Winning Bursaries

• Apply for everything you're eligible for — even small amounts add up
• Tailor your application to each bursary rather than submitting the same generic statement
• Start looking in the spring before your fall semester
• Ask your high school guidance counsellor about local bursaries before you graduate
• Visit your school's financial aid office in person — they can tell you about programs that aren't widely advertised
• Many bursaries require renewal — re-apply every year