Official Guidelines Updated: March 2026
Key Facts for 2025–2026:
The Part-Time Education Loan Program provides a loan per term of study to eligible Québec residents who cannot attend school full-time. It covers education expenses (tuition, books, supplies) and childcare costs. No payments are required during your studies. Eligibility is income-based, with thresholds of $43,575 (without spousal support) or $75,000 (with spousal support), plus increments for dependants.
The Loans for Part-Time Studies program provides financial assistance to Québec residents who are pursuing post-secondary studies on a part-time basis — those who, for work, family, or other reasons, cannot commit to a full course load. Unlike the full-time Loans and Bursaries Program, financial assistance under this program is provided as a loan only (no bursary conversion) and is assessed on a per-term basis.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for the Part-Time Education Loan Program, you must:
- Be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, refugee, or protected person.
- Be a Québec resident as defined under the program.
- Be enrolled part-time at a recognized post-secondary institution in a recognized program — but not receiving assistance under the Loans and Bursaries Program for the same term.
- Have income below the applicable eligibility threshold for your family situation.
If you are already receiving assistance under the full-time Loans and Bursaries Program for a given term, you are not entitled to assistance under the part-time program for the same term.
Income Eligibility Thresholds
Eligibility is based on your (and where applicable, your spouse’s) income. The base thresholds are:
| Situation | Income Threshold |
|---|---|
| Student without spousal contribution | $43,575 |
| Student considered to be receiving support from their spouse | $75,000 |
| For each dependent child | Add $3,728 |
| Single-parent families | Add a further $2,791 |
What the Loan Covers
The part-time loan covers your education expenses — tuition fees, books, and course supplies — calculated based on the number of credits or course hours multiplied by a fixed per-unit rate. If you have dependent children, eligible childcare costs may also be included in your loan assessment.
Living expenses are generally not included in part-time loan assessments (unlike the full-time program, which accounts for living costs).
Pro Tip:
Use the Loan Assessment Simulator on the Aide financière aux études website (quebec.ca/student-financial-assistance) to estimate how much financial assistance you could receive before applying. This tool takes into account your family situation and income to give you a personalized estimate.
Advantages of the Program
The Part-Time Education Loan comes with several borrower-friendly features:
- No payments during your studies — you are not required to repay the loan while enrolled.
- Low interest rate — interest terms are managed by Aide financière aux études.
- Non-refundable tax credit — interest paid on your loan may be claimed on your Québec income tax return.
How to Apply
Complete the Loan Application for Part-Time Studies 2025-2026 form. You can apply online through your Student Financial Assistance File at quebec.ca/student-financial-assistance, or use the paper form (submit it well in advance, as processing takes time). Your Guarantee Certificate will be issued and must be submitted to your financial institution for your loan to be deposited. Note that forms cannot be faxed or uploaded directly into your online file and must be submitted as specified in the application guide.
The deadline to submit your application and any required schedules is December 29 following the end of the award year (September 1 to August 31).
Other Québec Financial Aid Options
If you qualify for full-time studies, the Loans and Bursaries Program for Full-Time Studies provides more comprehensive support including living expense coverage and potential bursary conversion. Students with a recognized permanent disability may also be eligible for the Allowance for Special Needs Program.
Ready to find a program? Explore eligible schools today.
