Student Financial Aid in Saskatchewan: Loans, Grants and How to Apply

One application, two sources of funding

Saskatchewan runs an integrated student aid system. When you apply through Saskatchewan Student Aid, a single application assesses you for both the federal Canada Student Financial Assistance Program and the provincial Saskatchewan program at the same time, so you do not fill out a separate federal form. You submit everything online through the Advanced Education Student Portal, according to the Saskatchewan Student Aid pages and canada.ca's guidance on applying through your province.

How much you get

Combined federal and Saskatchewan aid amounts reset every August, so check your current maximum full-time loan and grant amount directly on the Saskatchewan Student Aid portal before you apply, since the figures change from one aid year to the next. To limit how much debt you take on, apply for the grants-only option instead of a full loan and grant package, though it usually means less total funding.

How your assessment works

Your assessment weighs your program costs, your province of residence, and your income and assets, plus your parents' income if you are considered a dependent student, or your spouse's income if you are married or common-law. Have your Social Insurance Number ready, along with your parents' SINs if applicable, your spouse's information, and your dependent children's Health Services Numbers and birth dates if you have any. Missing documents are the most common reason an application stalls, so gather everything before you start the form.

Who qualifies

You need to be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident or protected person, a Saskatchewan resident, and enrolled in an approved program at a designated post-secondary institution to qualify for Saskatchewan Student Aid. Part-time students also qualify, though loan and grant maximums differ from the full-time amounts above. Confirm your specific program and institution show as designated on the portal before you apply, since aid only flows to designated programs.

No payments while you study

Your Canada Student Loan and Saskatchewan Student Aid loan do not require payments and do not accrue interest while you stay enrolled at least half-time in an approved program. This status continues automatically as long as your institution confirms your enrolment each term, so keep your enrolment status current in the portal to avoid an unexpected switch into repayment.

Scholarships and bursaries outside the loan program

Saskatchewan also distributes scholarships and bursaries that run separately from the loan and grant totals above, check the Student Aid portal and your institution's financial aid office for current award amounts. Some of these awards apply automatically based on your Saskatchewan Student Aid application, while others need a separate application through your institution's financial aid office. Ask your institution's financial aid office which awards need a separate form, since missing a short scholarship-specific deadline often costs you an award you already qualify for.

If your assessment seems wrong

Request a reassessment through your portal account if your financial circumstances change or if you believe an error affected your award. Provide updated documentation for the specific item you are disputing, such as a new income statement or a corrected dependency status, rather than resubmitting your entire application from scratch.

When to apply

Applications for a given aid year typically open around June for programs starting on or after August 1. Apply at least two months before your classes start so your funding sits in place for the beginning of term rather than arriving after tuition is due. If your circumstances change after you submit, such as a new job, a change in program, or a change in living arrangement, update your application rather than waiting for your next renewal.

Paying it back

You enter a six-month non-repayment period once your study period ends, and repayment begins after that window closes. The federal portion of your Canada Student Loan charges no interest, a change the federal government made permanent from April 1, 2023, per the National Student Loans Service Centre . The provincial portion of a Saskatchewan loan often carries interest, so check your current rate and terms directly with the National Student Loans Service Centre or your Saskatchewan Student Aid account rather than assuming it matches the federal rate.

If you struggle to make payments after repayment starts, apply for the Repayment Assistance Plan through the National Student Loans Service Centre. RAP reduces your required payment or brings it to zero for a period based on your income, rather than leaving you in default.

Getting help

Contact the Student Service Centre at 1-800-597-8278 or [email protected] for questions specific to your application or assessment. Keep your contact information current in the portal so the province reaches you about any missing document or decision on your file.