Question Period Note: POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION AFFORDABILITY

The Government of Canada recently announced an extension to the temporary increases to Canada Student Grants and Canada Student Loans for the 2026-27 academic year. Maintaining the 40% increase to grants for full-time students, part-time students, students with disabilities and students with dependants, and the Canada Student Loan limit increase from $210 to $300 per week of study, will continue to help make post-secondary education affordable for students. The Government of Canada is committed to reducing financial barriers to support students’ access to post-secondary education.

The Government is investing an additional $1.2 billion in 2026-2027 to maintain the temporary increase to Canada Student Grants by 40 percent above baseline 2019 levels, and to maintain the temporary increase in the weekly Canada Student Loan limit from $210 to $300.

This measure is expected to help 720,000 students access and afford post-secondary education.

In 2024-2025, approximately:

617,000 students benefited from $2.7 billion in non-repayable Canada Student Grants.

710,000 students received $5.6 billion in interest-free Canada Student Loans.

298,000 student loan borrowers received support under the Repayment Assistance Plan, aimed at those who experience difficulty in repaying their student loans.

Canadians are facing increasing affordability pressures and an uncertain economic environment. Post-secondary education is a key driver of inclusive economic growth, and the Government is committed to ensuring that it remains accessible and affordable for all Canadians.

To help students afford post-secondary education, the Government is maintaining the increase to non-repayable Canada Student Grants by 40 percent over pre-pandemic amounts for the 2026-2027 school year.

The Government has also made Canada Student Loans interest-free as of 2023, and has extended the increase to the weekly loan limit from $210 to $300 for the 2026-2027 academic year.

The Canada Student Financial Assistance (CSFA) Program provides need-based grants and interest-free loans to help students access post-secondary education and offers the Repayment Assistance Plan to borrowers with financial difficulty.

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Canada Student Grants (CSGs) were temporarily doubled over pre-pandemic amounts from the 2020-21 through 2022-23 school years.

To address ongoing affordability challenges, CSGs were subsequently increased by 40 percent over their pre-pandemic amounts for the 2023-24 through 2025-26 school years, with a recent extension just announced for 2026-27. Post-secondary students can benefit from the following grants:

Canada Student Grant for Full-Time Students: up to $4,200 for a typical academic year (versus up to $3,000 in 2019-2020);

Canada Student Grant for Part-Time Students: up to $2,520 annually (versus up to $1,800 in 2019-2020);

Canada Student Grant for Students with Disabilities: $2,800 annually (versus $2,000 in 2019-2020);

Canada Student Grant for Full-Time Students with Dependants: up to $2,240 per dependant per typical academic year (versus $1,600 in 2019-2020); and

Canada Student Grant for Part-Time Students with Dependants (CSG‑PTDEP): maximum of $2,688 annually (versus $1,920 in 2019-2020).

Canada Student Loans (CSLs) were also increased from $210 per week to $300 for two years (2023-24 and 2024-25), and then again for 2025-26 and most recently for 2026-27. This means full-time students can receive a maximum of $10,200 for a typical 34-week academic year (previously $7,140). Prior to 2023-24, the weekly loan limit had remained at the same level ($210) since 2005-06, except when it was temporarily increased to $350 for 2020-21 as part of COVID-19 relief measures.

In recent years, several additional program measures were implemented to improve affordability.

On August 1, 2022, the Government expanded eligibility for supports for students with disabilities to recipients whose disabilities are persistent or prolonged, but not necessarily permanent.

On November 1, 2022, the Government increased the zero-payment income threshold for the Repayment Assistance Plan so that single borrowers are not required to begin repaying their CSLs until they are earning at least $40,000 per year. This amount is adjusted upward based on family size. To ensure this support keeps pace with the cost of living, the zero-payment income threshold is indexed to inflation. As of August 1, 2025, the zero-payment income threshold for a single borrower is now $45,456 per year, and for a family of four it is now $75,396.

On April 1, 2023, the Government of Canada eliminated interest accrual on CSLs and Canada Apprentice Loans. This built on temporary waivers on interest during the COVID-19 pandemic. The elimination of interest will save an average student loan borrower $350 in 2026, based on current interest rates.

In 2023-24, the Government waived the requirement for mature students 22 years or older to undergo credit screening to obtain grants and loans, a measure which was made permanent in 2024-25. This helps up to 1,000 prospective students per year in accessing funding for post-secondary education.

In August 2024, the Government of Canada modernized the shelter allowances used by the CSFA Program to assess students’ financial needs. This new approach will provide additional student aid to help approximately 79,000 students each year with the real cost of rent.

In Budget 2024, the Government announced automatic enrolment to the Canada Learning Bond, which provides up to $2,000 in a low-income family’s child’s Registered Education Savings Plan. Starting in 2028-29, all eligible children born in 2024 or later would have a Registered Education Savings Plan automatically opened for them and the eligible Canada Learning Bond payments would be auto-deposited in these accounts.

In July 2025, the Government of Canada launched the Canada Disability Benefit (CDB), which provides direct financial support of up to $200 per month ($2,400 annually) to eligible Canadians with disabilities aged 18 to 64. To ensure that the CDB does not negatively affect Repayment Assistance Plan eligibility, the Government has excluded the benefit from the calculation of “Gross Family Income”, helping borrowers with disabilities maintain affordable student loan payments. This change is anticipated to be implemented in April 2026. In addition, Budget 2025 confirmed that the CDB will not be considered part of taxable income, so it will not impact students’ eligibility for grants and loans.

“We are focused on lowering costs for Canadians, and supporting students as they pursue post-secondary education remains central to this. That’s why we are ensuring students have the financial supports and resources they need to succeed, build meaningful careers, and contribute to a strong and resilient workforce.”

• The Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Jobs and Families and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario

“As young people in government, we’ve heard from students across the country who want to learn, build their skills, and contribute to Canada’s future. Strengthened student grant and loan supports play an important role in helping them pursue their goals, develop their talents, and stay focused on their education. Ensuring that students have access to the resources they need supports not only their success, but also a strong and resilient workforce at a moment when their contributions matter more than ever.”

Fares Al Soud, Member of Parliament for Mississauga Centre; Amandeep Sodhi, Member of Parliament for Brampton Centre; and Jake Sawatzky, Member of Parliament for New Westminster—Burnaby—Maillardville

“Today’s announcement reflects continued federal recognition that Canada’s future depends on investing in the skills development of its students. This temporary extension of student assistance levels is a meaningful step forward and reflects the advocacy of the Canadian Alliance of Student Associations and students nationwide.”

• Abdul Abbasi, Chair of the Canadian Alliance of Student Associations