Official Guidelines Updated: March 2026
Important Update for 2025–2026:
For the 2025–2026 school year, the Canada Student Grant for Part-Time Students has been extended at the temporarily increased amount of up to $2,520 per year. This 40% increase over pre-pandemic levels applies until July 31, 2026.
Most of us can’t afford to put our jobs and lives on hold to pursue higher education full-time. Part-time programs are tailor-made for working professionals, but even a part-time course load can come with real costs. To help address this, Canada Student Grants offer non-repayable financial support for part-time students who need it.
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for the Canada Student Grant for Part-Time Students, you must meet all of the following requirements:
- Be enrolled in a part-time program at a designated institution.
- Belong to a low- or middle-income family — this grant is reserved for students with a demonstrated financial need.
- Have a family income below the income threshold for your family size (see table below).
- If you have received this grant before, you must have successfully completed the part-time program you were previously funded for.
- Not be a resident of the Northwest Territories, Nunavut, or Quebec — these provinces and territories have 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 to your specific program.
Income Thresholds for Eligibility (2025–2026)
Your eligibility and grant amount are determined by your family’s gross annual income from the previous tax year and the number of people in your family.
- 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.
| Family Size | Income for Maximum Grant | Income Threshold (cut-off) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 person | $32,102 | $63,615 |
| 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 |
Note: Income thresholds are set by the Government of Canada and may be adjusted annually. Always confirm current thresholds at Canada.ca.
How to Apply
Applying is straightforward. Submit a financial aid application with your province or territory of residence — one application covers all federal and provincial student aid. Based on this single application, your eligibility will be assessed for multiple grants, loans, scholarships, and bursaries. You do not need to apply separately for the Canada Student Grant for Part-Time Students.
How Much Can You Get?
For the 2025–2026 school year, eligible part-time students can receive up to $2,520 per year. The grant amount will never exceed your assessed financial need — for example, if your assessed need is $1,200, you will receive $1,200. The school year runs from August 1 to July 31.
This amount reflects a 40% temporary increase over pre-pandemic (2019–2020) base levels, extended through July 31, 2026.
Canada Student Grant for Part-Time Students with Dependants
If you are a part-time student with dependants, you may also qualify for an additional non-repayable grant on top of the standard part-time grant. For 2025–2026, eligible students with dependants can receive up to $2,688 per year. Eligibility requirements and income thresholds differ from the standard part-time grant — check Canada.ca for full details.
Other Federal Financial Aid Options
If you don’t qualify for the Canada Student Grant for Part-Time Students, there are other options available. You may be eligible for Canada Student Loans, Federal Student Scholarships, or Federal Student Bursaries to help cover the costs of your part-time studies.
Ready to explore your options? Find schools today!
