Paying for your education is your responsibility and it is a big investment. You will have a greater chance of managing your financial situation if you begin by developing a realistic estimate of what your post secondary education is going to cost. If you and your family cannot pay the total costs of your education, you should then investigate all options available for financing your studies.

Costs

Scholarships, Bursaries, and Awards

Additional Sources of Funding

Student Loans

Bank Loans

---

Costs
Have you determined your costs? You will definitely need to know the tuition fees, which you can obtain from the institution. However, there are many other major expenses you'll need to consider; such as books, supplies, rent, utilities, transportation, entertainment and clothes. You probably want to avoid huge amounts of debt.

CanLearn Interactive has designed the On-line Budget Planner especially for students to help you manage money. By providing a line-by-line income and expense account, it allows you to calculate the amount of money you will have on hand each month and forecast what your needs will be throughout the year.

---

How will you finance your education? If you are not able to cover the costs, you may have to look at other ways of financing your studies.

There are four general types of financial assistance which are classified as follows:

• Award - Money granted to eligible students, usually on the basis of academic and/or other criteria.
• Bursary - Money usually given on the basis of financial need.
• Scholarship - Money usually given on the basis of academic standing.
• Loan - Money borrowed for temporary use with the intent that it will be repaid.

Scholarships, bursaries and awards are usually non-repayable forms of funding, which means you don't have to return the money used for your education. Loans are known as repayable forms of funding which means that you will be expected to pay the money back.

Broaden your search for education dollars by exploring the sections below:

---

Scholarships, Bursaries and Awards
Any financial plan for post-secondary education should include accessing scholarships, bursaries and awards. Want to be successful in your search? Check out the web sites below for details on available awards. For the tips and facts to maximize your search click here.

---

Additional Sources of Funding
Is the program you're attending eligible for special funding? Have you ever been on Employment Insurance? Are you a person with a disability? Make sure you use the links below to find out what additional funding sources you may be eligible for. You never know where money could be waiting for you!

Skills Training Benefit (STB)
This program provides financial assistance for Employment Insurance (EI) recipients and Reachback clients. Provides financial assistance to individuals so they can take the training required to get a job and keep it.

Provincial Training Allowance
Provides funding assistance to adults enrolled in full time, designated programs including some select basic education, employment and quick skills programs.

Employability Assistance for People with Disabilities (EAPD)
The EAPD program provides funding to assist adults with disabilities to prepare for, secure and maintain employment. Various supports are offered including training-on-the-job, vocational and work assessments, psycho-educational assessments, job coaching, support for employers and disability-related costs in a wide variety of post-secondary education and training programs.

National Educational Association of Disabled Students (NEADS)
This site lists financial assistance programs designed for post-secondary students with disabilities.

---

Once you have exhausted non-repayable assistance sources, consider student loans as a possible source of assistance. The provincial and federal governments, as well as banking institutions, provide programs to supplement the resources of students, thereby assisting all qualified students in reaching their educational potential.

Student loans mean that you are financing your education with what you will earn in the future. Therefore, take some time to carefully consider your choice of a school and program of study. Remember, a student loan is repayable assistance.

Saskatchewan Student Financial Assistance
The Student Financial Assistance Branch administers both the federal and provincial government sponsored student loans under the Canada-Saskatchewan Integrated Student Loan Program. The program offers a needs-based supplement to your existing resources to help you fund your post-secondary education. When you submit your application, government sponsored bursaries, grants and the Canada Student Grants Program are computed as part of the loan application process.

Canada Student Grants Program
The Canada Student Grants Program (CSGP) consolidates federal student financial assistance grants into a single program that provides support for students and families to help manage the cost of post-secondary education.

National Student Loan Service Center
Canada-Saskatchewan Integrated Student Loans issued on or after August 1, 2001 are administered through the National Student Loans Service Centre. If you are a student attending a student loan eligible institution, this site provides information to help you receive, manage, and repay your student loan.

Bank Loans
Many banks and financial institutions also offer financial assistance for students. Some of these arrangements are loans and others are a line of credit. Shop around and see what you can come up with.