Official Guidelines Updated: March 2026
Important Update for 2025–2026:
For the 2025–2026 school year, the Canada Student Grant for Part-Time Students with Dependants has been extended at the temporarily increased amount of up to $2,688 per year. This is awarded on top of the standard part-time student grant of up to $2,520 per year. Both increases reflect the 40% uplift over pre-pandemic levels and apply until July 31, 2026.
Balancing part-time studies with work and family responsibilities is no small feat. For Canadians who want to go back to school part-time while caring for dependants, the Canada Student Grant for Part-Time Students with Dependants provides additional non-repayable funding on top of the standard part-time student grant — helping to offset the real costs of supporting a family during your studies.
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for the Canada Student Grant for Part-Time Students with Dependants, you must meet all of the following requirements:
- Be enrolled in a part-time program at a designated institution.
- Have a demonstrated financial need that was not fully met by the standard Canada Student Grant for Part-Time Students alone.
- Have at least one dependant under the age of 12, or a dependant aged 12 or older with a permanent disability, at the start of your program.
- Have a family income below the income threshold for your family size (see tables below).
- Not be a resident of the Northwest Territories, Nunavut, or Quebec — these provinces and territories run their own student financial aid programs and do not participate in the federal grant.
Pro Tip:
Not sure if your part-time program or institution qualifies? Contact a financial aid advisor at your preferred school — they can clarify which federal and provincial grants apply and what other supports may be available to you directly through the institution.
Income Thresholds for Eligibility (2025–2026)
Your eligibility and grant amount are based on your family’s gross annual income from the previous tax year and the number of people in your family. The Government of Canada uses two separate income threshold tables for this grant — one for students with one or two dependants, and another for students with three or more dependants.
- Income for Maximum Grant — your family’s annual income must be below this amount to receive the full grant.
- Income Threshold — your family’s annual income must be below this amount to qualify for any grant at all.
If you have one or two dependants:
| Family Size | Income for Maximum Grant | Income Threshold (cut-off) |
|---|---|---|
| 2 people | $45,399 | $89,004 |
| 3 people | $55,602 | $106,278 |
| 4 people | $64,204 | $117,021 |
| 5 people | $71,782 | $126,929 |
| 6 people | $78,634 | $136,236 |
| 7+ people | $84,933 | $144,457 |
If you have three or more dependants:
| Family Size | Income for Maximum Grant | Income Threshold (cut-off) |
|---|---|---|
| 4 people | $64,204 | $117,021 |
| 5 people | $71,782 | $126,929 |
| 6 people | $78,634 | $136,236 |
| 7+ people | $84,933 | $144,457 |
Note: Income thresholds are set by the Government of Canada and may be adjusted annually. Always confirm the most current figures at Canada.ca.
How to Apply
There is no separate application for this grant. Submit your student aid application to your province or territory of residence — one application assesses your eligibility for all applicable federal and provincial grants, loans, scholarships, and bursaries simultaneously. If you qualify for the standard part-time grant as well as the dependants top-up, both will be included in your funding package automatically.
How Much Can You Get?
For the 2025–2026 school year, eligible part-time students with dependants can receive up to $2,688 per year through this grant. This is awarded in addition to the standard Canada Student Grant for Part-Time Students of up to $2,520 per year — meaning a qualifying student could receive up to $5,208 per year in combined non-repayable part-time grant funding.
The grant amount will never exceed your assessed financial need. The school year runs from August 1 to July 31.
Both grant amounts reflect the 40% temporary increase over pre-pandemic (2019–2020) base levels, extended through July 31, 2026.
Other Federal Financial Aid Options
If you don’t qualify for this grant, there are still other ways to fund your part-time studies. Explore Canada Student Loans, Federal Student Scholarships, and Federal Student Bursaries for additional support.
Ready to explore your options? Find schools today!
