Financial Aid Tips

Let’s Get Started!!
Please book student financial aid advising through this form or use the alternate contact information below. To minimize duplicate requests, please only select one:

1. Fill the following form:  

• 2. Send us an Email to: FinAidCanada@CityU.edu or call us at: 604-359-1799 or 1-800-663-7466 

Here’s what to expect next! We will reply soon. We strive to respond within one business day upon receiving your inquiry.

Student Financial Aid of various types and sources can be an important consideration when preparing your budget. For studies at CityU in Canada, we encourage you to explore various options to determine your interest and eligibility that includes:

• Government Student Financial Aid Programs (loans & grants) (for eligible CityU programs of study with eligible course loads)
• CityU Scholarships (need-based & merit-based)
• External Awards (scholarships, bursaries, grants)
• Student Line of Credit products through recognized financial institutions
• The Lifelong Learning Plan (LLP) through the Canadian Government for eligible students studying in a qualifying educational program
• Third-party supports (e.g. Band Sponsorship, Veterans Affairs)

 Managing the financial aspects of being a post-secondary student is an individual personal experience. Our goal in student financial aid advising includes providing information and tools to assist in your financial preparation pre-study, during study, and post-study. Common questions that arise include:

-What will an academic year cost to attend my program of study including both school and living expenses?

-How will my income be affected during the academic year?

-I have past outstanding government student loans. How are these managed when I start my new program?

-What is a moderate standard of living cost where I reside to attend my program?

Student Budgeting Resources

• Education Budget Worksheet (courtesy of StudentAid BC) 
• Student Aid and Education Planning (Government of Canada) 
• Budgeting for Student Life (Government of Canada) 

CityU in Canada Tuition Information

Moderate Standard of Living 

Government student financial aid programs in Canada reference a moderate standard of living. This represents a standardized benchmark, based on province or territory, of the costs of post-secondary study, including educational costs and typical living costs (shelter, food, local transportation, and miscellaneous expenses) based on profiles such as, but not limited to, dependent students, independent students and students with their own dependents. 

As each student budget is personalized, it helps to understand moderate standard of living benchmarks to self-identify what exceptional expenses you may have beyond a moderate standard of living to include in your budget planning. 

For more information on a moderate standard of living visit the website of the government student financial aid program in Canada that you meet residency requirements. You do not have to be a loan applicant to explore this information.

Financial assistance may be available to eligible students. Government student financial aid programs may offer a combination of repayable loans, non-repayable grants, scholarships, repayment support programs, and debt reduction supports. These programs are intended to supplement the cost of attendance with a student accessing additional funds through individual resources such as savings or income. There are eligibility requirements to access and maintain government student financial aid funding.

National Student Loans Service Centre (Canada): The National Student Loans Service Centre (NSLSC) is an agency created by the Canada Student Financial Assistance program (CSFA Program) where Canadian Federal student loan holders manage their student loan. 

The NSLSC also manages provincially-integrated loans for the following provinces listed below. If you are an applicant to one of these specific government student financial aid programs, apply directly through the province and not through the NSLSC. 

• British Columbia
• Ontario
• Saskatchewan
• New Brunswick
• Newfoundland & Labrador

Under these integrated loan programs, with one application you will be assessed for both federal and provincial assistance based on eligibility. If the government student financial aid program you are applying through is not integrated, please check with the province/territory directly about their application process. Click here for more information about NSLSC.

Important Note about Continued Interest-free Status: Please prepare at least 4-6 weeks in advance of the eligible date for processing. Before you submit a request for continued interest-free status through the NSLSC, it is recommended you advise finaidcanada@cityu.edu for advising. Not all scenarios require a request. We can also assist you with application cycles.

Please note that effective April 2021, the Government of Canada has suspended the accumulation of interest on Canada Student Loans until March 31, 2022. (also, subject to Parliament approval, the Government of Canada has proposed to extend this measure until March 31, 2023.). Please consult NSLSC directly on your account particulars. This does not include provincial/territorial government loan types. These may be subject to other interest regulations. This information is subject to change. Source: https://www.csnpe-nslsc.canada.ca/en/home

Important Note About Residency Requirements: A Canadian government student financial aid program will require applicants to meet eligibility criteria to apply including residency requirements. Where you have resided, and for how long prior to your anticipated study start date, will determine which Canadian government student financial aid program listed below you should apply through (for example, you may meet the residency requirements for Ontario Student Loans (OSAP), but intend to study in Vancouver). Please select the aid program that you expect to meet residency requirements. Applicants should contact the aid program directly regarding residency requirement clarification.

British Columbia Student Loans (StudentAid BC)   
2021-2022 SABC applications (part-time & full-time) open June 2021 for programs/study periods starting on or after August 1^st. You must ensure the program you are attending is ‘aid eligible’. You also must meet a required eligible course load for the study period and meet all other eligibility criteria to apply. CityU in Canada follows a quarter system (study periods) that may require multiple SABC applications within the same award year relative to each eligible study period. Student financial aid advising through the school is available and recommended to guide you with this application process. The current ‘aid eligible’ program under SABC is the Master of Counselling. Please note Delivery Mode ‘Saturdays’ is deemed a part-time delivery under SABC’s definition so choose the part-time SABC application. Likewise, ‘Mixed Mode’ is deemed a part-time delivery so choose the part-time SABC application. The definition of delivery by SABC may differ from that of the school. Virtual Campus as a Delivery Mode is under review information coming soon.

Alberta Student Loans   
2021-2022 ASA applications (part-time & full-time) open June 2021 for programs/study periods starting on or after August 1^st. More information will be posted soon.

Saskatchewan Student Loans
2021-2022 please contact student financial aid at the school finaidcanada@cityu.edu if you seek to apply for funding under Saskatchewan Student Loans.

Manitoba Student Loans  
2021-2022 please contact student financial aid at the school finaidcanada@cityu.edu if you seek to apply for funding under Manitoba Student Aid.

Ontario Student Loans
2021-2022 OSAP applications (part-time & full-time) open June 2021 for programs/study periods starting on or after August 1^st. The school name is under City University of Seattle. For CityU in Canada applicants, you must use the OSAP Program Information Form (PIF) and OSAP Confirmation of Enrolment Form (COE) both paper-based found on the OSAP website under forms. These forms must be completed and sent by the student/applicant to the school’s financial aid office for our review and to complete relevant sections of these forms for you in order received. Send to finaidcanada@cityu.edu. CityU in Canada, a private post-secondary institution, currently has sites located in BC and ALB deemed out-of-province for OSAP purposes. Please note only the Canada loan type of the Canada-Ontario integrated loans is assessed for out-of-province study. Please check the OSAP website for information on additional funding types such as grants. You must ensure the program you are attending is ‘aid eligible’ and meet a required eligible course load for the study period to apply. CityU in Canada follows a quarter system (study periods) that may require multiple OSAP applications within the same award year relative to each eligible study period. Student financial aid advising through the school is available and recommended to guide you with this application process. The current ‘aid eligible’ program under OSAP is the Master of Counselling (WAG5 for BC and MPQX for ALB). Please note Delivery Mode ‘Saturdays’ is deemed a part-time delivery under OSAP definition so choose the part-time OSAP application. Likewise, ‘Mixed Mode’ is deemed part-time delivery so choose the part-time OSAP application. The definition of delivery by OSAP may differ from that of the school.

Québec Student Loans 
2021-2022 please contact student financial aid at the school finaidcanada@cityu.edu if you seek to apply for funding under Quebec Student Loans.

Newfoundland Student Loans  
2021-2022 please contact student financial aid at the school finaidcanada@cityu.eduif you seek to apply for funding under Newfoundland Student Loans.

New Brunswick Student Loans  
2021-2022 please contact student financial aid at the school finaidcanada@cityu.edu if you seek to apply for funding under New Brunswick Student Loans.

Nova Scotia Student Loans 
2021-2022 please contact student financial aid at the school finaidcanada@cityu.edu if you seek to apply for funding under Nova Scotia Student Loans.

Prince Edward Island Student Loans   
2021-2022 please contact student financial aid at the school finaidcanada@cityu.edu if you seek to apply for funding under Prince Edward Island Student Loans.

Yukon Territory Student Loans
2021-2022 please contact student financial aid at the school finaidcanada@cityu.edu if you seek to apply for funding under Yukon Territory Student Loans. The school name is under City University of Seattle, ‘EI’ Code APDL.

Northwest Territories Student Loans 
2021-2022 please contact student financial aid at the school finaidcanada@cityu.edu if you seek to apply for funding under Northwest Territories Student Loans. The school name is under City University of Seattle, ‘EI’ Code APDL.

Nunavut Student Loans   
2021-2022 please contact student financial aid at the school finaidcanada@cityu.edu if you seek to apply for funding under Nunavut Student Loans.

You maintain student financial assistance eligibility by adhering to terms and conditions by your funding provider(s). When taking time away from studies whether planned or unexpected, it is important to consider the potential impact on funding outstanding, anticipated, or received, from any student financial assistance source. Additionally, if you are within a period of interest-free and/or payment-free status under government student loans, this may also be impacted.

Please consult your Master Student Financial Assistance Agreement or equivalent document regarding interruption of study that outlines your responsibilities. For further information please contact finaidcanada@cityu.edu for guidance.   

The following examples may impact student financial assistance:

• Satisfactory Academic Progress
• Program of study changes
• Course load changes
• Interruptions in study 
• Non-attendance 
• Immigration status changes

International students will need to ensure they meet the minimum funding resources for immigration requirements to obtain student authorization and Visa. As student financial aid for international students is limited in Canada, international students are encouraged to explore student financial resources from their home country in advance for studies abroad. Your home country’s department or ministry of education is a good place to start.

International students in Canada on a student Visa are not eligible for local bank loans or Canadian government student financial aid. International students who apply for permanent resident status may become eligible once they receive permanent resident status. Protected persons and convention refugees who have a protected persons status document and a Canadian Social Insurance Number may be eligible to apply for a Canada Student Loan.

Resources listed below are intended for student self-exploration and are not an endorsement by CityU in Canada. This list is not all-inclusive and is subject to change.

Education Budget Worksheet (courtesy of SABC) 
Government of Canada-Student Aid & Education Planning 
Scholarships Canada (self-search database)
Students Scholarships (self-search database)
New Relationship Trust-Scholarships & Bursaries for First Nations Students BC
Irving K Barber BC Scholarship Society-Indigenous Awards 
Foster Parent Support Services Society-Tuition Resources  
Atco Indigenous Education Awards Programs

Do I need to be admitted to my academic program before I can apply for student financial aid?

Not necessarily. Each student financial aid program (e.g. government student loans, award competitions, etc.) will have terms of reference including when to apply and application deadlines. For Canadian government student loan programs, typically an applicant may apply prior to course enrollment, however the applicant will need to know what program they will be entering and understand that the school cannot confirm enrollment as part of the loan application process until the minimum eligible course enrollment is met and falls within the school’s loan certification period.

What is a student line of credit?

A student line of credit is a loan product through a participating financial institution (e.g. bank, credit union) for students to help with expenses related to post-secondary education that may include tuition, books, and residence costs. As part of the application process, the lender may provide a form to you that requires information from CityU in Canada. Please contact finaidcanada@cityu.edu for assistance. Click here for information on student lines of credit

I have previous government student loans that are currently in repayment or expected to go into repayment, but I am returning to studies at CityU in Canada and I want to stop these payments. What do I do?

To maintain good standing with your lender(s) it is strongly encouraged that you address outstanding loans and repayment arrangements as soon as you have decided that you are returning to studies. You will want to know what options are available under repayment supports through your lender and understand what documentation may be required to initiate repayment support. Often, processing times may be several weeks after completed documentation has been received by the lender and decisions will vary. Therefore, it is recommended that you have prepared for any next-scheduled repayment date as a precautionary measure. Please contact finaidcanada@cityu.edu for guidance.   

I have already started my academic year and my financial circumstances have changed. I have unmet financial need to complete my study period. Can I still apply for student financial aid?

This will depend on what type of student financial aid sources you want to pursue. Most Canadian government student financial aid programs allow completed applications after the academic program start date. For some, the latest a completed application may be received is six weeks prior to the end of the study period. Deadlines vary and it is strongly recommended you do not delay in exploring applications as soon as your financial circumstances have changed. Other sources such as student lines of credit are typically open all year to apply. For award competitions, application deadlines will vary (some are annual deadlines and others may be various intakes throughout the year).

Are my tuition payments at CityU in Canada handled by the Financial Aid Office?

 No. Please refer to CityU in Canada tuition and payment plan information at Tuition webpage