Eligibility
Registration requirements
Your course load determines whether you qualify for full-time or part-time funding. At H, a full course load (100%) is typically 15 credit hours per term.
To qualify, you must be registered in:
- At least 60% of a full course load (most provinces)
Exceptions
Newfoundland and Labrador students:
80% (provincial loan portion)
60% (federal loan portion)
Students with permanent disabilities:
May be eligible at 40% course load
You qualify for part-time funding if you are enrolled in 20% to 40% of a full course load.
Note: Students with permanent disabilities may still qualify for full-time loans at reduced course loads – consult your provincial loan office for more details.
Summer funding requirements vary by province. You should:
Contact your provincial loan office to confirm eligibility
Be registered in a full course load (if required)
Submit a complete application
Some provinces may request program information. Submit the required form with your student information filled in to studentloans@dal.ca.
If you change any part of your registration once the Summer session begins, email studentloans@dal.ca. If you are no longer considered full-time, we must inform your provincial student loan office, which can affect your current and future funding.
Exclusions
The following are generally not eligible for federal or provincial student loan funding:
Pre-program or “qualifying year” studies are not funded by most provinces.
If you are taking classes to get into an upper-level program, but are not registered for a degree, contact your provincial student loan office to see if you’re eligible for funding.
Certificate programs at H are not eligible for government student loan funding unless they are taken concurrently with a degree-level program.
Not eligible for standard loan funding or interest-free status. Once the grace period ends, repayment will begin on your previous loans.
In some provinces, Medicine students may be exempt from the provincial portion of their student loan repayments during residency. Consult your provincial student loan office for details.
Internships not required by your degree are not eligible for government student loan funding.
Programs structured as part-time (e.g. Dal’s MBA (Career Advance Pathway) and MPA (Management) programs.)
How to apply
To apply for a student loan in Canada, complete an application through your provincial or territorial student loan office. (anchor link to list)
- Visit your home province or territory’s student loan website
- Choose the correct application: Full-time student loan, OR Part-time student loan
- Submit your application
By completing one application, you will automatically be assessed for:
Federal loans and grants
Provincial loans and grants
After you apply
Once assessed, review your funding details carefully to find:
Total funding amount
Payment schedule
If your funding is not sufficient:
Contact your provincial loan office
You may be able to appeal your assessment
H confirms student loans electronically once you are registered.
Key timelines
Fall term confirmation: begins mid-August
Winter term confirmation: begins mid-December
You must:
- Be fully registered in all planned classes (both terms, if applicable)
- Complete registration by early/mid-August
- Failure to do so may result in delayed funding and/or reduced loan amounts.
If your registration changes, your loan may be reassessed.This may impact your total funding.
Managing your loan
Maintaining interest-free status
If you are not receiving a loan in a given year, you must take action to keep your loan interest-free:
Submit a Confirmation of Enrolment (Unfunded) through the
Ontario students must complete a Continuation of Interest-Free Status (CIFS) application through .
Dropping or changing courses
Changes to your course load can affect your student loan. Possible consequences of dropping a course include:
Reassessment of loan funding
Cancellation of future payments
Overpayment (you may owe money back)
Loss of eligibility if below minimum course load
Additional years of study beyond funding limits
Academic probation on your loan file
If you drop a course, or do not receive a passing grade, student aid may assess a probation on your student loan file. Two probation assessments may result in loss of loan eligibility for one year.
Before dropping a class:
Check the refund schedule
Contact the Registrar’s Officefor advice.
Repaying your student loan
Repayment begins after you complete or leave your studies.
H students can use the to manage repayment, keep track of your loan status, and explore repayment support options.
Provincial and territorial loan offices
Student loan policies vary by province and territory. Always contact your provincial student aid office to ask question, understand your funding, or explore appeal options (if needed).