Grants & Scholarships for Single Parents in Canada

These are the most important funding sources for single parents returning to school in Canada:

• Canada Student Grant for Full-Time Students with Dependants: Up to $200/week per child under 12 — this is in ADDITION to the regular student grant
• Canada Student Grant for Full-Time Students: Up to $4,200/year — stacks with the dependants grant
• Provincial childcare subsidies: Ontario, BC, Alberta, and other provinces may cover childcare costs while you study
• University single-parent bursaries: Many universities maintain dedicated bursaries for students with dependants
• Canada Child Benefit (CCB): You continue receiving CCB while studying — it's not affected by student status

A single parent with two children under 12 studying full-time could receive: Canada Student Grant ($4,200/year) + Dependants Grant ($200/week × 2 children × ~34 study weeks = ~$13,600/year) + provincial grants + university bursary. That's potentially $20,000+ in non-repayable funding per year before you even get to the loan portion. The key is to apply for everything.

Advice from students who have navigated this path:

• Apply for student aid even if you're working part-time — your income assessment considers childcare and living costs
• Check if your university offers campus childcare — many have subsidized daycare for student parents
• Part-time study is a valid option if full-time isn't feasible — you can still receive the part-time dependants grant
• Don't forget to apply for your university's emergency bursary if unexpected costs come up mid-year
• The Canada Learning Bond may have deposited up to $2,000 in your child's RESP — check if you haven't already