Grants, loans, bursaries, and repayment for Quebec post-secondary students.
Quebec operates its own fully provincial student aid system through the Aide financière aux études (AFE). Unlike other provinces, Quebec students apply directly to the AFE for provincial funding and are not covered by the federal Canada Student Loans Program — Quebec opted out in exchange for provincial tax credits. This guide explains how the Quebec system works and how to maximize your funding.
Quebec is the only province that fully opted out of the Canada Student Loans Program. Instead:
| Type | Description | Repayment |
|---|---|---|
| Bursary (Bourses) | Need-based grants from the AFE | None — free money |
| Quebec Student Loan (Prêts) | Provincial loan based on assessed need | Yes, with interest |
| Loans-Bursaries Program | Combined assessment of both | Bursary portion: no; Loan: yes |
The AFE calculates the ratio of bursary to loan based on your financial need. Students with greater need receive a higher bursary proportion and a smaller loan portion.
Quebec undergrad tuition for Quebec residents at francophone institutions (UQAM, Laval, Montreal, Sherbrooke) is approximately $3,000–$4,000/year — among the lowest in Canada. For comparison, Ontario tuition averages $9,000–$12,000/year. This lower tuition base means most Quebec students need less total funding than students in other provinces.
CEGEP (college-level) programs in Quebec are essentially free for Quebec residents — there are only small registration fees. As a result, AFE funding is most commonly used for university (baccalaureate and above).
Your AFE award is calculated based on:
The AFE provides a fixed assessment based on your situation category: single student living with parents, single student living away from home, student with dependants, etc. The combined annual maximum varies but can cover a significant portion of costs for low-income students.
AFE applications for the fall semester typically open in May. Apply as early as possible to ensure funding is in place before your first tuition payment is due.
Quebec Student Loans charge provincial interest. The rate is set annually by the Quebec government and is typically the prime rate plus a small margin. Unlike federal Canada Student Loans (which are at 0% since April 2023), Quebec loans are not interest-free — interest begins after the grace period following graduation.
Quebec loan repayment is managed directly by the AFE (not NSLSC like federal loans). After your grace period:
Quebec has a loan remission program that can forgive a portion of your Quebec Student Loan if you complete your degree or diploma within the normal time frame. The remission amount depends on your loan balance at graduation and the length of your program. This is a significant benefit unique to Quebec — it rewards students who complete on time.
Students from other provinces studying at Quebec universities pay higher tuition than Quebec residents. They can apply for their home province's student aid (OSAP, StudentAid BC, etc.) to fund their Quebec studies. Quebec international students and Canadian out-of-province students are assessed separately by the AFE and typically receive less provincial support.
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Open KOHO Free — No Fees — Code 45ET55JSYAQuebec's AFE system provides provincially administered grants and loans unique from the rest of Canada. Combined with the lowest tuition in the country, most Quebec students graduate with significantly less debt than their counterparts in Ontario or BC. Apply early through afe.gouv.qc.ca, understand the bursary vs. loan split, and take advantage of the loan remission program by completing your studies on time.