Student loans and Grants eligibility assessment thresholds
These tables help full-time and part-time students determine whether they may be are eligible for a student loan or grant. They are used by provinces and territories to calculate the loan or grant amount a student is eligible to receive.
On this page
- Student living allowances for school year 2018 to 2019
- Monthly maximum for child care expenses for school year 2018 to 2019
- Moderate standard of living estimates by family size (for parental contribution calculation) for school year 2018 to 2019
- Weekly parental contributions for school year 2018 to 2019
- Family income thresholds for receiving maximum Canada Student Grant for Full-Time Students for school year 2018 to 2019
- Eligibility for canada student grants for 2018–2019 school year
Student living allowances for school year 2018 to 2019
Actual monthly allowance by province/territory
These are the monthly amounts a student receives based on the cost of shelter, food, miscellaneous expenses and public transportation in their province or territory.
LIVING SITUATION | NL | PE | NS | NB | QC | ON | MB | SK | AB | BC | YT | NT | NU |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
SINGLE STUDENT AWAY FROM HOME | |||||||||||||
Shelter (two- bedroom apartment, including utilities, shared by two) | 495 | 444 | 500 | 458 | 423 | 600 | 495 | 560 | 481 | 871 | 601 | 827 | 829 |
Food (purchased from stores) | 268 | 243 | 245 | 245 | 272 | 270 | 253 | 259 | 282 | 279 | 305 | 310 | 310 |
Miscellaneous (personal and health care, clothing, household cleaning, communications) | 234 | 257 | 247 | 237 | 318 | 290 | 303 | 311 | 338 | 342 | 317 | 326 | 327 |
Local public transportation | 69 | 67 | 68 | 71 | 48 | 86 | 100 | 83 | 73 | 108 | 62 | 71 | 71 |
Total monthly allowance | 1,066 | 1,011 | 1,060 | 1,011 | 1,061 | 1,246 | 1,115 | 1,123 | 1,174 | 1,600 | 1,285 | 1,534 | 1,537 |
SINGLE PARENT (no dependant considered) | |||||||||||||
Shelter (one-bedroom apartment including utilities) | 818 | 742 | 844 | 798 | 708 | 968 | 696 | 934 | 763 | 1,250 | 1,090 | 1,302 | 1,305 |
Food (purchased from stores) | 268 | 243 | 245 | 245 | 272 | 270 | 253 | 259 | 282 | 257 | 305 | 310 | 310 |
Miscellaneous (personal and health care, clothing, household cleaning, communications) | 234 | 257 | 247 | 237 | 318 | 290 | 203 | 311 | 338 | 358 | 317 | 326 | 327 |
Local public transportation | 69 | 67 | 68 | 71 | 48 | 86 | 100 | 83 | 73 | 99 | 62 | 71 | 71 |
Total monthly allowance | 1,389 | 1,309 | 1,404 | 1,351 | 1,346 | 1,614 | 1,352 | 1,587 | 1,456 | 1,964 | 1,775 | 2,009 | 2,013 |
MARRIED STUDENT and SPOUSE (no dependant considered) | |||||||||||||
Shelter (two-bedroom apartment including utilities) | 989 | 874 | 1,004 | 906 | 845 | 1,197 | 904 | 1,120 | 960 | 1,763 | 1,198 | 1,652 | 1,665 |
Food (purchased from stores) | 478 | 485 | 491 | 488 | 483 | 491 | 459 | 472 | 511 | 516 | 611 | 495 | 496 |
Miscellaneous (personal and health care, clothing, household cleaning, communications) | 467 | 512 | 495 | 475 | 504 | 527 | 582 | 593 | 645 | 527 | 631 | 530 | 531 |
Local public transportation | 138 | 140 | 136 | 141 | 94 | 168 | 200 | 170 | 149 | 198 | 124 | 142 | 142 |
Total monthly allowance | 2,072 | 2,011 | 2,126 | 2,010 | 1,926 | 2,383 | 2,145 | 2,355 | 2,265 | 3,004 | 2,564 | 2,819 | 2,852 |
EACH DEPENDANT | |||||||||||||
Shelter | 171 | 182 | 207 | 169 | 154 | 257 | 193 | 186 | 171 | 260 | 181 | 355 | 357 |
Food (purchased from stores) | 190 | 198 | 199 | 198 | 225 | 211 | 196 | 201 | 219 | 213 | 250 | 247 | 248 |
Miscellaneous (personal and health care, clothing) | 104 | 75 | 73 | 71 | 120 | 109 | 138 | 141 | 154 | 125 | 95 | 113 | 114 |
Local public transportation | 69 | 67 | 68 | 71 | 48 | 86 | 100 | 66 | 73 | 99 | 62 | 71 | 71 |
Total monthly allowance | 534 | 522 | 547 | 509 | 547 | 663 | 627 | 594 | 617 | 697 | 588 | 786 | 790 |
SINGLE STUDENT LIVING AT HOME | |||||||||||||
Shelter | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Food (purchased from stores) | 190 | 240 | 245 | 245 | 225 | 211 | 196 | 201 | 219 | 263 | 305 | 247 | 248 |
Miscellaneous (personal and health care, clothing) | 201 | 196 | 181 | 169 | 225 | 222 | 242 | 248 | 270 | 288 | 210 | 265 | 266 |
Local public transportation | 69 | 67 | 68 | 71 | 48 | 86 | 100 | 83 | 73 | 123 | 62 | 71 | 71 |
Total monthly allowance | 460 | 503 | 494 | 485 | 498 | 519 | 538 | 532 | 562 | 674 | 577 | 583 | 585 |
Note: Provinces and territories determine their monthly ceiling (or maximum).
Monthly maximum for child care expenses for 2017-2018 school year
Province | Monthly Maximum per Child |
---|---|
Newfoundland and Labrador | 817 |
Prince Edward Island | 429 |
Nova Scotia | 476 |
New Brunswick | 600 |
Quebec | 391 |
Ontario | 357 |
Manitoba | 460 |
Saskatchewan | 400 |
Alberta | 1,200 |
British Columbia | 1,153 |
Yukon | 842 |
Northwest Territories | 660 |
Nunavut | 660 |
Note: Provinces and territories determine their monthly ceiling (or maximum).
Moderate standard of living estimates by family size (for parental contribution calculation) for 2018–2019 school year
Family Size (Number of people) | NL | PE | NS | NB | QC | ON | MB | SK | AB | BC | YT | NT | NU |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2 | 38,554 | 38,450 | 42,397 | 38,537 | 42,141 | 49,967 | 42,231 | 42,834 | 52,599 | 45,881 | 50,632 | 52,209 | 51,399 |
3 | 48,169 | 48,882 | 52,756 | 47,823 | 53,261 | 62,034 | 52,891 | 53,649 | 63,045 | 59,605 | 59,511 | 61,363 | 60,411 |
4 | 55,673 | 56,286 | 60,102 | 54,412 | 61,144 | 70,595 | 60,452 | 61,318 | 70,452 | 69,338 | 65,810 | 67,859 | 66,806 |
5 | 61,491 | 62,025 | 65,802 | 59,502 | 67,268 | 77,240 | 66,322 | 67,268 | 76,203 | 76,887 | 70,697 | 72,898 | 71,766 |
6 | 66,247 | 66,716 | 70,461 | 63,697 | 72,263 | 82,661 | 71,118 | 72,133 | 80,897 | 83,058 | 74,694 | 77,020 | 75,823 |
7 | 70,351 | 70,681 | 74,399 | 67,229 | 76,490 | 87,253 | 75,170 | 76,243 | 84,868 | 88,277 | 78,067 | 80,498 | 79,248 |
8 | 73,751 | 74,115 | 77,813 | 70,286 | 80,152 | 91,222 | 78,680 | 79,802 | 88,311 | 92,797 | 80,994 | 83,516 | 82,220 |
9 | 76,822 | 77,148 | 80,821 | 72,983 | 83,382 | 94,727 | 81,777 | 82,942 | 91,343 | 96,782 | 83,572 | 86,174 | 84,835 |
10 | 79,570 | 79,855 | 83,513 | 75,391 | 86,270 | 97,868 | 84,544 | 85,753 | 94,062 | 100,345 | 85,880 | 88,553 | 87,178 |
Note: Moderate standard of living is a measure of the costs of living for the parents of dependent students. The standard includes the costs for various family sizes for shelter, food, contribution to RRSPs, household operation, child care, furnishings and equipment, clothing, transportation, health and personal care, reading material, health and life insurance premiums, pension contributions, charitable donations and other miscellaneous expenses. (After tax income is used).
Weekly parental contributions for 2018-2019 school year
Discretionary Income ($) | Weekly Contribution ($) | Discretionary Income ($) | Weekly Contribution ($) |
---|---|---|---|
0.01 - 500.00 | 1 | 13,000.01 - 13,500.00 | 45 |
500.01 - 1,000.00 | 3 | 13,500.01 - 14,000.00 | 47 |
1,000.01 - 1,500.00 | 4 | 14,000.01 - 14,500.00 | 51 |
1,500.01 - 2,000.00 | 6 | 14,500.01 - 15,000.00 | 55 |
2,000.01 - 2,500.00 | 7 | 15,000.01 - 15,500.00 | 59 |
2,500.01 - 3,000.00 | 9 | 15,500.01 - 16,000.00 | 63 |
3,000.01 - 3,500.00 | 10 | 16,000.01 - 16,500.00 | 66 |
3,500.01 - 4,000.00 | 12 | 16,500.01 - 17,000.00 | 70 |
4,000.01 - 4,500.00 | 13 | 17,000.01 - 17,500.00 | 74 |
4,500.01 - 5,000.00 | 14 | 17,500.01 - 18,000.00 | 78 |
5,000.01 - 5,500.00 | 16 | 18,000.01 - 18,500.00 | 82 |
5,500.01 - 6,000.00 | 17 | 18,500.01 - 19,000.00 | 86 |
6,000.01 - 6,500.00 | 19 | 19,000.01 - 19,500.00 | 89 |
6,500.01 - 7,000.00 | 20 | 19,500.01 - 20,000.00 | 93 |
7,000.01 - 7,500.00 | 22 | 20,000.01 - 20,500.00 | 97 |
7,500.01 - 8,000.00 | 24 | 20,500.01 - 21,000.00 | 101 |
8,000.01 - 8,500.00 | 26 | 21,000.01 - 21,500.00 | 105 |
8,500.01 - 9,000.00 | 28 | 21,500.01 - 22,000.00 | 109 |
9,000.01 - 9,500.00 | 30 | 22,000.01 - 22,500.00 | 113 |
9,500.01 - 10,000.00 | 32 | 22,500.01 - 23,000.00 | 116 |
10,000.01 - 10,500.00 | 34 | 23,000.01 - 23,500.00 | 120 |
10,500.01 - 11,000.00 | 36 | 23,500.01 - 24,000.00 | 124 |
11,000.01 - 11,500.00 | 38 | 24,000.01 - 24,500.00 | 128 |
11,500.01 - 12,000.00 | 39 | 24,500.01 - 25,000.00 | 132 |
12,000.01 - 12,500.00 | 41 | 25,000.01 - 25,500.00 | 136 |
12,500.01 - 13,000.00 | 43 |
* Discretionary income is calculated by determining total income and then subtracting personal income tax, Employment Insurance premiums, other compulsory payments, and household spending on necessities.
Expected contributions
Students are expected to make a contribution to their education, which is made up of the fixed student contribution (from $1,500 to $3,000), scholarships and bursaries (after a $1,800 exemption) and targeted resources (such as a training allowance or a stipend from an employer that covers room and board). If you are a dependent student, your fixed student contribution amount is based on family income, determined as parental income only (found on line 150 of each parent’s previous year’s TI General Income Tax Return). In addition to the student contribution, the parents of dependent students are also expected to make a parental contribution. If you are considered to be an independent student, you (and your spouse, if you have one) are expected to contribute.
Generally, you are considered to be a dependent student unless:- you are married or were living common-law for 12 months at the beginning of your study period;
- you were previously married or living common-law;
- you are widowed, divorced or separated or a single parent with dependent children living with you;
- you were out of high school for at least four years prior to the start date of the study period;
- you worked for at least 12 months in a row on two or more occasions and were not a full-time student during that time;
- your parents have both died and you have no legal guardian; or
- you are a permanent ward of a child and family services agency.
Weekly parental contribution formula
The following calculation is used to determine how much parents of a dependent student are expected to contribute per week to their child’s post-secondary education.
Note: DI = annual discretionary income
If the annual discretionary income is: | the weekly parental contribution is: |
---|---|
$0 - $7,000 | (15.0% of DI) / 52 |
$7,001 - $14,000 | ($1,050 + 20.0% of (DI - $7,000)) / 52 |
Over $14,000 | ($2,450 + 40.0%*(DI - $14,000)) / 52 |
Note: DI = Discretionary Income
Income thresholds for the fixed student contribution and the fixed rate spousal contribution by family size for 2018–2019 school year
Students are expected to contribute to their educational costs by providing a fixed student contribution up to $3,000 per loan year, with the exact amount being calculated based on the gross family income and family size. Students with gross family income from the previous year equal to or below their income threshold (see table below) will contribute $1,500 for an 8-month academic year.
Students with gross family income from the previous year above the income threshold (listed below) will contribute $1,500 for an 8-month academic year, plus an additional 15 percent of income above their threshold to a maximum total contribution of $3,000 for an 8-month academic year.
The spouses and partners of married and common-law students are also expected to make a contribution equal to 10 percent of their gross family income above their income threshold (listed in the table below). Spouses and partners at or below the income threshold listed below do not contribute.
Family income thresholds for receiving maximum Canada Student Grant for Full-Time Students for school year 2017 to 2018
Family Size | Gross Annual Family Income |
---|---|
1 | $30,600 |
2 | $43,275 |
3 | $53,001 |
4 | $61,200 |
5 | $68,424 |
6 | $74,955 |
7 or more | $80,960 |
If you are attending school in your home province or territory and your family income is below the low-income threshold, the grant you are eligible to receive depends on:
- whether you are studying full-time or part-time; and
- whether you have a dependent child or dependent children.
If you are a full-time student with dependants and your family income is below the low-income threshold:
You are eligible for the Grant for Full-time Students with Dependants.
If you are a part-time student with dependants and your family income is below the low-income threshold:
You are eligible for the Grant for Part-time Studies and you may be eligible for the Grant for Part-time Students with Dependants. You will receive the Grant for Part-time Studies first. If you have additional assessed need, you will receive the Grant for Part-time Students with Dependants. If you are assessed to have needs beyond the two grants, you will receive a Loan for Part-time Studies.
Eligibility for canada student grants for 2018–2019 school year
This table is used to determine a student’s eligibility for the Grant for Full-Time Students, the Grant for Full-Time Students with Dependants, the Grant for Part-Time Students with Dependants and the Grant for Part-Time Studies.
Family Size | Previous year’s gross annual family income For maximum grant (if gross family income is below the amount for family size, the student qualifies for the maximum grant) |
For grant cut-off (if gross family income is at or above the amount for family size, the student does not qualify for the grant) |
---|---|---|
1 | $30,600 | $62,113 |
2 | $43,275 | $86,880 |
3 | $53,001 | $103,677 |
4 | $61,200 | $114,017 |
5 | $68,424 | 123,571 |
6 | $74,955 | $132,647 |
7+ | $80,960 | $140,484 |
Family income thresholds for Canada Student Loan for Part-Time Students for 2018–2019 school year
Family Size | Gross Annual Family Income |
---|---|
1 | $62,743 |
2 | $87,752 |
3 | $104,691 |
4 | $115,073 |
5 | $124,674 |
6 | $133,801 |
7+ | $141,675 |
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