Why Am I Asked If I Identify As Indigenous Or As A Visible Minority On My Application
Under the Canada Student Financial Assistance Program, those who self-identify as an Indigenous student will be exempt from the student fixed contribution for federal funding.
StudentAidNL captures information regarding self-identification as a visible minority to provide evidence to improve the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Student Financial Assistance Program in the future. This information is not required to receive assistance.
Grant For Persons With Permanent Disabilities
- qualify for Canada Student Loan
- enrolled in full-time or part-time program
- provide proof of permanent disability
- available for all years of undergraduate and postgraduate studies
- application process differs depending on province or territory of residence check with your region’s student financial assistance office
Grant To Loan Conversion Process
Normally, OSAP grants are money you do not need to repay. However, all or part of your OSAP grants may be converted into a loan if:
- You withdraw from studies or stop taking the minimum course load within the first 30 days of your study period.
- At the end of the study period, as a result of an OSAP reassessment, youre not entitled to all or part of the grant that you received .
- The income reported in connection to your application cant be verified within 12 months from the start of your study period.
Please note: Grant to loan reviews may not be completed by the Ministry until after the end of the academic year and can take several months after this before final updates are communicated through your OSAP application and updated on your NSLSC account.
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Managing Your Debt Repayment Assistance Plan
As a borrower, you are required to repay your loan. Missing payments could damage your credit rating. Your student loan could go into default. Contact the National Student Loans Service Centre at 1-888-815-4514 before you miss a payment. There are options available to help you manage your payments and avoid defaulting.
The Repayment Assistance Plan makes it easier to manage your debt. You pay back what you can reasonably afford, based on your family income and size. Monthly payments are limited to no more than 20 per cent of your gross family income. No borrower on RAP will have a repayment period lasting more than 15 years. If you have a disability, your RAP repayment period will not last longer than 10 years. If you earn very little income, you might not be required to make loan payments until your income increases. Contact the National Student Loans Service Centre to apply.
How To Pay Back College Grants
If your student needs to pay back a grant, theyâll usually receive a notice from their collegeâs financial aid office. In that letter, theyâll see an overview of the money they need to repay and an explanation discussing why repayment is required.
Usually, the student has 45 days to pay back the money. However, the school may also allow the student to arrange a payment plan. Then, the student can cover the cost over a longer period.
Ensuring the repayment requirement is addressed in a timely manner is essential. Otherwise, the student can end up in default. Plus, if itâs a federal grant they need to repay, they may also be barred from accessing federal financial aid going forward.
If your student is trying to avoid debt, scholarships are a great option. They can cover a range of college costs and donât have to be paid back. If you and your student want to learn about scholarships, sign up for our free college scholarship webinar! Take a quick trip over to to reserve a spot today.
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Shuttered Venue Operators Grant Forgiveness Rules
The Shuttered Venue Operators Grant was a grant introduced in April 2021 to aid live venues, movie theaters, museums, and talent agents that suffered economic losses due to the pandemic and lockdowns. The program closed in August 2021.
As grants, SVOGs do not have to be repaid, nor do they have a forgiveness process. You will, however, need to abide by the terms of the grant to avoid being asked to pay it back. SVOG funds can be spent on:
- Operating expenses
National Student Loan Service Centre
All repayment of funding is processed through the National Student Loan Service Centre . Ensure you review your NSLSC online account regularly for notifications in your secure NSLSC inbox. Additional options for managing your loans and updating your contact information is available on the NSLSC online account dashboard.
The NSLSC offers online webinars on demand to educate you about your loans in general and about what to do when it is time to repay your student loan including the repayment process, hints and tips on how to save on interest, and what to do in the event that you are having difficulty making the payments .
The NSLSC is also on and ! Check out their channels for more information on the support they offer borrowers throughout their student loan experience.
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What Are The 4 Types Of Federal Grants
The US Department of Education offers a number of federal grants to students. These can apply to you if youre studying at a 4-year college or university, a community college, or a career school.
There are 4 main types of grants that students receive for college. These grants are:
-
Federal Pell Grants
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Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants
-
Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grants
-
Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education Grants
To help you wrap your head around these various grants, well quickly break down each type.
Why Students Worry About Whether They Have To Pay Back Grants
With the cost of college regularly going up and the number of hidden expenses students deal with, many students want to avoid student loans at all costs. Repaying a large debt after graduating isnât easy, even if their degree puts them on the path toward a solid career.
In the end, around 15 percent of student loans are in default at any given moment. Thatâs a scary figure. However, it doesnât show how many borrowers are able to make payments but sacrificing in other areas to ensure that happens. Many people with student loans forgo buying homes, replacing worn-out vehicles, and working toward other financial goals simply because the debt makes that unaffordable.
While grants and student loans arenât the same things, the idea of having to repay a grant can carry the same mental weight. Thatâs why most students want to find an answer to the question, âDo I have to pay back grants?â before they move forward.
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Why Would I Have To Repay My Pell Grant
If a student drops out of college during the semester or academic year for which they were given a federal Pell Grant, they may be required to pay back a portion of their award. The same holds true for full-time students who reduce their course load to part-time status.
The expectation is that a student will pay back all or a portion of the Pell Grant they are no longer earning through attendance.
Students who reduce their credit hours below full-time status typically see their Pell Grant award reduced to reflect their course load. If your new course load is 50% of your colleges minimum for full-time status, your college may choose to give you only 50% of their original Pell Grant offer.
Students who drop classes or drop out of college entirely after their Pell Grant aid has been disbursed to them will be expected to pay back the excess funds they will not be earning. Many colleges will not require students to pay back any portion of the Pell Grant that was used to pay their tuition bills.
If your college determines that you need to pay back all or a portion of your Pell Grant, they will send you a notice informing you of that decision. From that point, you will have 45 days to respond by paying back in full the amount owed or entering into a payment agreement.
If you have not filled out the FAFSA®, you can do so with FRANK and receive support to help you through the student and parent financial aid process.The application officially opens on October 1st.
How Much Will College Cost Your Family
Even though college tuition can be expensive, need-based grants and other scholarships can put the cost of college within reachwithout student loans!
Often, the price to obtain a bachelors degree at an expensive private college is cheaper than attending an in-state public school if you take advantage of federal grants, like a Pell Grant, as well as institutional grants and outside scholarships.
If youre curious how much college will cost your family, utilize our free chancing engine and cost calculator. These tools will help you determine your college admission chances and determine how much college will cost after receiving need-based aid and merit scholarships.
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Provincial And Territorial Government Student Grants And Loans
In addition to Canada Student Grants and Loans, there are student financial aid programs operated by all provinces and territories.
In some jurisdictions, provincial or territorial programs are integrated with Canada Student Grants and Loans, meaning students may receive a single loan that covers financial aid from both levels of government. In other jurisdictions, provincial or territorial student aid is provided alongside federal aid programs, meaning students may receive two loans .
Heres a look at how the programs work in each province or territory:
- In Ontario, British Columbia, Saskatchewan, New Brunswick, andNewfoundland and Labrador, the Government of Canada and the provincial government work together to provide integrated student grants and loans.
- In Alberta, Manitoba, andPrince Edward Island, Canada Student Grants and Loans are available alongside provincial student aid.
- In Yukon, only Canada Student Grants and Loans and territorial grants are available.
- In Nunavut, the Northwest TerritoriesandQuebec, Canada Student Grants and Loans are not available, as these governments operate their own student aid programs.
Supplemental Targeted Advance Forgiveness Rules
The Supplemental Targeted Advance provided especially hard-hit businesses in low-income areas an additional $5,000 in grant money. Like the regular Targeted Advance, its a grant and does not need to be repaid as long as the money is spent on qualified expenses. These are the same as for the Targeted EIDL Advance.
You do not need to apply for forgiveness.
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Pell Grants: Do You Have To Pay Them Back
Pell Grants are a form of financial aid that typically do not need to be paid back. However, there are some circumstances that require repayment, which are outlined in this article.
Christy Rakoczy Bieber
May 25, 2021
Pell Grants are a valuable type of financial aid for college students who qualify for them. That’s because Pell Grants typically do not need to be paid back. This is very different from federal student loans and from private student loans, both of which need to be repaid with interest.
But while the answer to the question of whether you have to pay back grants is generally no, there are some exceptions to this rule.
In fact, there are a limited number of circumstances when repayment of Pell Grant funds might be required. You’ll want to understand the rules for when and how this can happen in order to try to avoid being forced to repay grant money that should be yours free and clear.
This guide will explain when Pell Grants have to be paid back, as well as shed some light on who can qualify for Pell Grants and how much money you may be eligible to receive.
Federal Government Student Grants And Loans
Canada Student Grants and Loans are available in most provinces, and in one of the three territories.
What are Canada Student Grants?
Canada Student Grants are available to students from low- and middle-income families who are enrolled in a part-time or full-time undergraduate program, including med school, at a designated post-secondary institution.
What are Canada Student Loans?
Canada Student Loans are available for full-time study at designated schools, including some post-secondary institutions outside Canada, to students who meet the eligibility criteria. These loans will be interest-free until six months after youve finished full-time school, at which time repayments will start. Given the impact of COVID-19 on students, the Federal Government announced in its 2021 Budget that there would be no interest charged on Canada Student Loans until March 31, 2023.
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How To Get The Money Youre Entitled To
Do you have to pay back financial aid? Though the answer isnt a simple one, you now know the different sorts of aid available and their repayment terms.
The first step to receiving grants, scholarships or student loans is completing the FAFSA. Because funds for grants are limited, the earlier you apply, the better your chances of getting gift aid. If you need to take out student loans, remember that this is a type of financial aid that must be paid back.
The only time you wouldnt need to pay back a student loan is if you qualify for student loan discharge, student loan forgiveness or some other repayment assistance program.
Rebecca Safier, Laura Woods and Honey Smith contributed to this article.
Grants Scholarships And Loans
Always apply for “free” financial aidgrants and scholarshipsfirst. Free financial aid is the type that you do not need to pay back .
You will probably not receive enough aid in the forms of grants and scholarships to cover 100% of your costs. Loans provide a convenient way to cover any gaps in funding. But you must repay loans, so apply for as many grants or scholarships as possible before you consider a loan.
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How To Appeal For Missing Financial Aid
If you receive a financial aid offer thats lower than you were expecting, dont worry. You might be able to appeal to your college for additional aid you think is missing or that you deserve because of your financial circumstances.
Its important to bear in mind that appealing for missing financial aid isnt like haggling over the price of a car. You cant just bluff your way into a better deal. But if youre able to present your institutions financial aid office with documentation or evidence demonstrating that you deserve more aid, its often possible to secure an offer of extra grant money.
The first step youve got to take is to contact your financial aid office. Explain your situation and the offer thats been made to the office team, and question how the assessment of your ability to pay was made. By talking you through the decision, you might find that the financial aid office failed to take certain elements of your family circumstances into consideration.
After chatting about your aid offer over the phone, most colleges will have their own appeals process. This often starts with writing a formal appeal letter, and youll likely be required to include documentation or proof demonstrating your family circumstances or financial situation to prove that the grant you received was too low.
If youre considered a dependent, then a parent or guardian might need to write the appeal letter on your behalf.
And You Might Have To Pay The Grants Back
The only circumstance in which youd have to repay the grants is if they were claimed when you werent eligible. How could that be, you ask? Unfortunately, the full scope of conditions that checked whether or not you were eligible werent covered in HMRCs eligibility checks.
Their checks were based on whether youd submitted your 2018/19 tax return and your trading profits up until that point. What they didnt take into account was whether your income was affected by the impact of the pandemic.
You were therefore able to claim a SEISS grant even if you werent eligible.
But bear in mind that you were eligible if you claimed in the reasonable belief of reduced demand. Theres also no need to worry if you had evidence of any adverse effect.
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Do You Have To Pay Back A Pell Grant If You Drop Out
If you drop out of school, you may have to repay some or all of your Pell Grant. If you received the full amount of your grant for the semester, and you withdrew within the first 60 days, you will have to repay the entire amount. If you withdrew after 60 days, you will only have to repay a portion of the grant.
When Will I Receive My Funds
You will receive your funds after all your documents are submitted and verified, and your school has confirmed your enrollment. Funds cannot be released before the start of school.
You should check your online account to see updated information about:
- what documents you need to submit
- what documents have been verified
- if your school confirmed your enrollment
- when you will receive your funds
Your loan is issued in two parts:
- Canada Student Loan is issued at the start of school
- Manitoba Student Loan is issued at the mid-point of school
If you are receiving a grant
- Manitoba Bursary is issued in two portions: half at the start and half at the mid-point of school.
- Canada Student Grant for Full-time students with Dependants is issued in two portions: half at the start and half at the mid-point of school.
- Canada Student Grant for Persons with Permanent Disabilities is issued in two portions: half at the start and half at the mid-point of school.
- Canada Student Grant for Services and Equipment is issued multiple times throughout the year.
- Canada Student Grant for Part-time Students is issued at the start of school.
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