With the cost of post-secondary education rising, the Government of Canada is offering significant relief to students. For the 2025-26 school year, the maximum Canada Student Grant for Full-Time Students (CSG-FT) is doubled, a move designed to ease the financial burden for thousands of Canadian families.
This guide breaks down the details of the Canada Student Grant 2025, outlining exactly who qualifies for this non-repayable aid, how to apply, and how this $4,200 can drastically reduce your education costs.
What’s New for Student Financial Aid in Canada for 2025-26?
The main highlight of the enhanced federal aid package is the continued increase to the Canada Student Grant, which remains available for the 2025-2026 academic year.
This measure boosts the maximum grant to $525 per month of study, which equals $4,200 for a standard eight-month program. This temporary increase, which now runs until July 31, 2026, provides more money you don’t have to repay to students from low- and middle-income households.
Additionally, the weekly limit for the Canada Student Loan for full-time students remains at its increased rate of $300.
Who Qualifies for the $4,200 Canada Student Grant?
Your eligibility for the Canada Student Grant 2025 is determined by the financial need assessment conducted by the Canada Student Financial Assistance (CSFA) Program.
To qualify, you must meet several key criteria when you apply for student aid through your province or territory.
Core CSG Eligibility 2025 Requirements:
- Citizenship and Residency: You must be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or protected person . You also need to be a resident of a province or territory participating in the CSFA Program .
- Financial Need: Your eligibility is income-tested. You must have at least $1 of assessed federal financial need to be considered for the grant.
- Approved Program: You must be enrolled in a degree, diploma, or certificate program at a designated post-secondary school that is at least 12 weeks long.
- Course Load: You must be taking at least 60% of a full course load (or 40% for students with a documented permanent, persistent, or prolonged disability.
Canada Student Grant Income Thresholds (2025-26)
The amount of money you can receive is calculated on a sliding scale based on your 2024 gross annual family income and family size. The grant gets smaller as income increases.
To receive the maximum $4,200 grant, your family income must be at or below the following levels:
How Do I Apply for the Canada Student Grant?
Applying for the CSG-FT is a streamlined process integrated directly into your main student loan application. You do not apply for it separately.
- Use Your Provincial Student Aid Portal: You submit a single application through your province or territory’s student financial aid office, like OSAP in Ontario or StudentAid BC. This one application automatically assesses your eligibility for all federal and provincial grants and loans.
- Submit Your Application Early: Key portals are now open. StudentAid BC applications for 2025-26 opened in June 2025, and Alberta Student Aid is also accepting applications for programs starting after August 1, 2025. Processing times can exceed 45 days in peak season, so apply as soon as possible.
- Provide Your Financial Information: Your eligibility is based on your 2024 income, which is verified with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). Dependent students will need to provide their parents’ financial information.
For more specific instructions, see our guide on How to Apply for OSAP and Maximize Your Funding.
How to Maximize Your Total Aid Package
The Canada Student Grant 2025 is the foundation of your funding, but it works best when combined with other aid.
- Canada Student Loans: You may be offered a federal loan of up to $300 per week of study. These loans have been interest-free at the federal level since April 1, 2021.
- Provincial/Territorial Aid: Your application also assesses you for provincial support. Saskatchewan, for example, offers an additional $1,000 through its provincial grant. Note that Quebec, Nunavut, and the Northwest Territories run their own separate aid programs.
- Other Federal Grants: The increased funding levels for other federal grants have also been extended for 2025-26, including:
- Canada Student Grant for Students with Disabilities (CSG-D): $2,800 per year.
- Canada Student Grant for Full-Time Students with Dependants (CSG-FTDEP): Up to $2,240 per dependant.
- Canada Student Grant for Part-Time Students (CSG-PT): Up to $2,520 per year.
To see how these grants stack up, compare them using our Canadian Student Grants Comparison Tool.
Conclusion: Apply Early to Secure Your $4,200 Grant
The doubling of the Canada Student Grant 2025 to a $4,200 maximum offers a significant opportunity to reduce your reliance on student loans and lower your overall education costs. For many students, this non-repayable aid can cover a substantial portion of their annual tuition.
The most important step is to act now. Check the Canada Student Grant income thresholds to see where your family fits. Gather your financial documents and submit your application through your provincial student aid portal as early as possible. Securing this grant could be the key to a more affordable and successful academic year.
