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Receiving Your Loans and Grants
Receiving a Student Loan
Once you have received your Notice of Assessment, you have been deemed eligible to receive a loan or grant and you are a first time applicant or have had a break in studies of more than two years, you will receive a Master Student Financial Assistance Agreement (MSFAA). This agreement must be signed and sent to the National Student Loans Service Centre (NSLSC). The MSFAA is only required once and is valid for the duration of your studies as long as you do not have a break in studies of more than two years.
The step-by-step process for receiving student financial assistance has been outlined below.
Step 1: First time applicants or students who had a break in studies of more than two years, once approved to receive assistance, will be sent a Master Student Financial Assistance Agreement (MSFAA). This agreement must be signed and sent to the National Student Loans Service Centre (NSLSC) and include all supporting documents.
Completing and Submitting the Master Student Financial Assistance Agreement (MSFAA):
First - Read the MSFAA!
Second - Complete the required sections.
Third - Take your MSFAA to a designated Canada Post outlet along with the following (for a list of designated Canada Post outlets in Newfoundland and Labrador click here, or visit www.CanLearn.cafor a complete listing):
- Your Social Insurance Number card or a copy of your Canada Revenue Agency Notice of Tax Assessment;
- Official government issued photo identification; and
- A void cheque (if you do not have a cheque, your bank or credit union can help you complete the Electronic Funds Transfer section of the MSFAA).
Step 2: Once NSLSC receives your MSFAA your educational institution must confirm your enrolment.
Note: If you are attending an educational institution outside of Canada, a Confirmation of Enrolment Form will be sent directly to you which must be completed by your educational institution and returned to the Student Financial Services Division.
Step 3: Once full-time enrolment has been confirmed, but no earlier than the first day of classes, eligible financial
assistance will be deposited to your bank account. If you do not have a bank account, a cheque made payable to you will be mailed to the
address you provide. All or a part of your financial assistance may be sent to your educational institution to pay fees owing. You will
receive a letter from the NSLSC advising you of the amount of your disbursement that has been issued to you and/or your educational
institution. You can also visit the NSLSC website at www.CanLearn.ca
for further information.
Note: The disbursement to you and/or your institution may NOT occur simultaneously due to a difference between the federal and provincial deposit dates.
Acceptable Identification:
- Photo ID: You must present a valid photo identification that was issued in Canada by either the federal, provincial or territorial government. Examples include:
- a valid driver’s license;
- a passport;
- a provincial health card with a photo; or
- a permanent residency or citizenship card.
- Proof of SIN: To prove that the Social Insurance Number (SIN) on your loan or grant document is yours, you must also present your SIN card or an official Government of Canada document that includes your SIN. Examples of such documents include:
- Canada Revenue Agency Notice of Assessment;
- Canada Pension Plan Statement of Contributions; or
- A confirmation of your Social Insurance Number from Service Canada.
Receiving a Grant
Up-front Provincial Grant
If you are eligible for an Up-front Provincial Grant, payment will be issued 6 weeks after the start of the semester, provided you have submitted a fully completed Income Confirmation Form. When and how you receive your grant depends on where you will be going to school.
- If you are attending an educational institution within Canada, confirmation of your full-time enrolment will be obtained by either the Student Financial Services Division or the National Student Loans Service Center. Once confirmed, your grant will be deposited directly into your bank account. If you do not have a bank account, a cheque made payable to you will be mailed to the address you provide.
- If you are attending an education institution outside of Canada, a Confirmation of Enrolment Form will be sent to the address provided on your application. This form must be completed and signed by your educational institution and returned to the Student Financial Services Division. Once enrolment is confirmed, your grant will be deposited directly into your account. If you do not have a bank account, a cheque made payable to you will be mailed to the address you provide.
Canada Student Grants
If you are eligible for a grant for students from low-income families, students from middle-income families, students with dependants or students with a disability, the amount will be indicated on the Notice of Assessment you received upon completion of processing of your application. Eligible assistance will be disbursed as described above.
If you are eligible for the Grant for Services and Equipment for Students with Permanent Disabilities, a cheque will be issued in your name and will be sent to your educational institution. The educational institution will confirm your enrolment as a full-time student before the cheque is released to you.
If you are attending an educational institution outside of Canada, and applying for the Grant for Services and Equipment for Students with Permanent Disabilities, the educational institution must confirm your full-time enrolment using the Confirmation of Enrolment Form. Once the Student Financial Services Division receives this information, a grant cheque made payable to you will be issued and sent to the address in Canada that you provided on your application.
Cancelling Your Loan/Grant
If you want to cancel your loan/grant or your application, please notify the Student Financial Services Division.