If you are relocating to Montreal and looking to attend University in Quebec, or if you are looking for your children, you’ll notice that the cost can be substantial. When you include living and textbook costs, you may not be in a position to pay for it. However, there are many scholarship and financial aid options in Quebec that are available to you, and in many cases, they can be combined.
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Scholarships in Quebec
Many universities in Quebec offer their own scholarships to students. They include, for example, dean’s scholarships and scholarships for academic excellence, leadership, or various other things pertaining to education and specific to each university. Qualities such as good grades in high school, high achievement in sports, and personal investment may lead students to receive an a scholarship offer straight from the university. In this case, all you have to do is accept it. In other cases, there’s an application process, and you can find applications on your university’s website.
When moving to Montreal for school, there are also a number of privately funded scholarships students can apply to, and awards range from about $500 to about $20,000. Generally, different scholarships are offered to students from different majors. However, there some are more competitive.
To search for scholarships in Quebec, click here.
Financial Aid in Quebec
If you don’t qualify for any scholarships, or would prefer to apply for financial aid in Quebec, that is another option. There are two kinds of financial aid, one that you don’t need to pay back, and and another in the form of a loan.
The Aide financière aux études is the body in charge of financial aid in Quebec. It’s where you will find the information, instructions and applications that you need. In the case of need-based financial aid, the government will review your taxes and income, and decided if you are eligible for aid that does not need to be repaid. You can also apply for a loan from the Quebec government, even if you are not studying at a university in Quebec.
Banks in Quebec also offer student loans and lines of credit. Loans are offered for both full-time and part-time students, and the money is generally deposited into your bank account. You may use the money for any needs you have. After you graduate, you will have a payment plan with an interest rate (it is usually quite reasonable) and you will be required to pay back the loan with the minimum payment per month, or until it is paid off in full.
For more information on government loans and financial aid in Quebec, click here.