Official Guidelines Updated: March 2026
Important Update for 2025–2026:
Full-time students in Manitoba may now qualify for a Canada Student Grants Only option, allowing eligible applicants to receive grant funding without taking on student loan debt. As of April 1, 2023, both the federal and Manitoba portions of your student loan are also permanently interest-free.
Manitoba offers a focused set of student aid programs to help residents pursue post-secondary education without the full weight of education costs falling on their shoulders. Whether you are studying full-time, part-time, or have a permanent disability, there is a funding path available to you.
Key programs include Manitoba Student Aid, the Manitoba Scholarship and Bursary Initiative, and the Business Council of Manitoba – Indigenous Education Awards. Federal funding is also assessed automatically alongside your provincial application.
Let’s get into the details of Manitoba’s provincial funding programs.
What Kind of Funding Is Available?
Students in Manitoba may be able to access several different types of financial support depending on their income, study status, and personal circumstances.
- Student loans to help cover tuition, books, and living costs — interest-free for both provincial and federal portions
- Grants that do not need to be repaid if you remain eligible
- Bursaries for students with demonstrated financial need, assessed automatically when you apply
- Scholarships distributed through your school under the provincial Scholarship and Bursary Initiative
- Targeted awards for Indigenous students
One Manitoba Student Aid application assesses you for both provincial and federal funding — you do not need to apply separately for each program.
Pro Tip:
A single Manitoba Student Aid application can qualify you for multiple types of funding — including loans, grants, and bursaries — so you don’t need to apply separately for each one. Make sure your income and enrolment information is accurate before submitting.
Manitoba Student Aid
Manitoba Student Aid is the province’s main student financial assistance system. It provides a combination of loans, grants, and bursaries to eligible students who need help paying for post-secondary education.
Funding is based on your financial need — the gap between your education costs and what you and your family are expected to contribute. When you apply, you are automatically assessed for both provincial and federal programs, including non-repayable grants and need-based bursaries.
Who Can Apply?
- Be a resident of Manitoba
- Be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or protected person
- Be enrolled in an approved post-secondary program at a designated school
- Meet course load requirements for your study status
- Be in good standing on any previous student loans
Full-time students must take at least 60% of their course load per term (40% for students with a permanent disability). Part-time students must carry between 20% and 59% of a full course load. Students in private career colleges must maintain 100% of their course load and a 90% or higher attendance rate.
Manitoba Loans and Bursaries
The following programs form the core of Manitoba Student Aid. All are assessed through a single application — no separate forms required.
Manitoba Student Loan
Covers tuition, books, and living expenses for full-time, part-time, and students with permanent disabilities. The Manitoba portion of your loan is permanently interest-free — both during your studies and throughout repayment. Repayment begins six months after leaving school.
Manitoba Bursary
A non-repayable bursary for students with demonstrated financial need. You are automatically considered when you apply for Manitoba Student Aid — no separate application is needed. The amount depends on your assessed financial need after other funding is applied.
Scholarships and Awards
Manitoba also offers scholarship and award programs for students seeking non-repayable support beyond the standard student aid application.
Manitoba Scholarship and Bursary Initiative
The provincial government matches private donations made to designated Manitoba schools at a ratio of $1 for every $2 donated, distributing funds as non-repayable scholarships, bursaries, and grants. Eligibility and amounts vary by school — contact your institution’s financial aid office to find out what is available to you.
Business Council of Manitoba — Indigenous Education Awards
Supports Indigenous students enrolled full-time at an authorized Manitoba post-secondary institution. Available across a broad range of programs. You can apply even if you are already receiving other funding, and you can reapply each year for up to three years.
Pro Tip:
The Manitoba Scholarship and Bursary Initiative distributes funding through individual schools — many awards aren’t widely advertised online. Reach out directly to the financial aid office at your preferred school to find out what’s available before you apply.
Other Financial Aid Options
In addition to provincial funding, your Manitoba Student Aid application may also assess you for federal programs such as Canada Student Grants, Canada Student Loans, Federal Student Scholarships, and Federal Student Bursaries.
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