A guide to financial aid and support Funding your future

Students who would like to receive student loan funding are required to apply through their province of residence. Most provinces recognize UFred courses for student loan funding, with some exceptions (eg. BC and QC).

Learn more about your province's grant program here.

The University is required to confirm a student’s enrollment in the study period before their funding is released. Some provinces will request this information from the University digitally (eg. MB, NB, NS), while others will issue a form to the student to provide the University (eg. AB, ON).

In most cases, the funding for your study period will be released in two disbursements; one at the beginning of your study period, and one mid-way through. UFred does not receive any funds directly from student loans – the whole amount is remitted to the student, who in turn is responsible for budgeting their funds and ensuring the University receives payment each term.

Please note: students should be prepared to pay for their first term out-of-pocket in case their funding is not received prior to the beginning of their study period.

Students are able to apply for up to one full year of funding with each application. If you would like to continue receiving funding over multiple years in the program, you will be required to re-apply each year. Some applications will require that the University confirm certain details about your study period (eg. dates, tuition). Any documentation that needs to be completed by a University official can be sent directly to an Academic Support Coordinator. If you wish to apply for shorter periods, you can apply for study periods as short as 12-weeks (minimum for student loans).

Please note: students are required to maintain enrolment in each term during a funded study period; non-registration in a term will result in the cancellation of your current loan, and the need to re-apply for funding.

Both the EMBA and MBA programs are considered full-time (100%) with just one course per term. For the ADBA, BBA, COHSES and AOHS programs, it’s important to decide whether you will pursue a part-time (50%) or full-time (100%) schedule before applying, as this will determine which student loan application you should complete—based on either part-time or full-time enrollment.

UFred understands that students may need to take a term off every now and then, and if you do so it will not impact your standing with the University. However, students who are receiving student loan funding are required to maintain continuous enrollment throughout the funded study period. If a student does take a term off, UFred is required to update the appropriate provincial loan office and NSLSC. From the perspective of student loans, this situation would be considered as early-withdrawal from the funding period.

When you confirm enrollment in your course each term, you will receive an invoice and payment link via email from Student Services.

Students are able to process their own payment by the due date indicated in the email. Due to student loan processing times and disbursement schedules, it is possible that a student will not receive their funding before their course begins. In these cases, students are still required to adhere to the tuition payment deadlines, and failure to do so may result in not receiving course access.

Students should be prepared to pay for their first term out-of-pocket in case their funding is not received prior to the beginning of their study period.

You may qualify for a Canada student grant based on your level of financial need.

Eligibility for a Canada student grant is determined when you apply through your province or territory. Here are the available options:

• Grant for full-time students

• Grant for part-time students

• Grant for full-time students with dependants

• Grant for part-time students with dependants

• Grant for students with disabilities

• Services and equipment for students with disabilities

A student line of credit works similarly to a student loan but is provided by a financial institution and considers your credit score — better credit often means more borrowing power. This option allows you to access funds for various education-related expenses, up to a predetermined limit, with the flexibility to borrow only what you need. Repayment is required only on the amount you use, but interest starts accruing as soon as you access the funds. Terms can vary by bank, so be sure to review your financial institution’s specific requirements.

Many employers will reimburse their employees for tuition and other educational expenses. This can be a great option if you can find an employer willing to invest in your continued education, and this arrangement has many benefits for both the employer and the employee. From the employer’s standpoint, the investment allows them to develop a pool of qualified candidates for future leadership positions. It also helps to ensure that their employees have the latest knowledge and skills in business management. For the employee, it is an opportunity to further their career and earn a higher salary. In addition, they may also be eligible for promotion into management positions.

Be prepared as part of the process to pull together a brief presentation for your employer outlining details such as:

• How your request fits into the company tuition reimbursement policy

• Outline how your education will be a good investment for the company and how your request fits into your current assignment or future career aspirations

• Information on how much assistance you may need and over what length of time

When using employer funding, ensure you know any repayment terms accompanying tuition reimbursement.

One of the most common ways for students to help pay for their education in Canada is through scholarships. Scholarships are financial awards typically based on academic merit or other achievements. There are a variety of scholarships available to students in Canada, from national programs to those offered by individual schools or organizations.

• https://www.scholarshipscanada.com/Scholarships/Browse-Scholarships.aspx

• https://studentawards.com/

• https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/education.html

If you’re a member of the Canadian Forces, you are eligible for Continuing Education Funding. Military support can help you cover tuition costs, books, and other materials. It can also help you with living expenses while you complete your studies.

The Lifelong Learning Plan is a great way to save for your future education. It allows contributions from existing Registered Retirement Savings Plans (RRSPs) to be used to help pay for tuition, books, and living expenses for those enrolled as full-time students at an educational institution. In situations where the student has a disability, attending school part-time may be eligible. Amounts withdrawn under the LLP do not count toward income, and the RRSP issuer does not withhold taxes on these amounts. Withdrawals must be repaid over no more than ten years.

For more information on requirements, visit the Canada Customs and Revenue Agency

As an Indigenous student, you may have access to educational financing through First Nations. This means you may get the money you need to pay for school without worrying about loans or finding other funding sources. Community support is an excellent way for Indigenous students to get the education they need and deserve. If you are interested in pursuing higher education, check with your band’s office to see if you qualify for financial assistance.

Learn more about the Post-Secondary Student Support Program offered by Indigenous Services Canada.

If you’ve been injured on the job and need some form of retraining, don’t hesitate to apply for funding from your province’s Workplace Compensation Board. They review each claim individually and determine the available options. This funding options is available for programs in the University of Fredericton’s School of Occupational Health and Safety.

• Alberta - Workers’ Compensation Board of Alberta

• British Columbia - WorkSafeBC (Workers’ Compensation Board of BC)

• Manitoba - Workers Compensation Board of Manitoba

• New Brunswick - WorkSafeNB

• Newfoundland & Labrador - WorkplaceNL

• Northwest Territories and Nunavut - Workers’ Compensation Board of the NWT and Nunavut

• Nova Scotia - Workers’ Compensation Board of Nova Scotia

• Ontario - Workplace Safety and Insurance Board

• Prince Edward Island - Workers’ Compensation Board of Prince Edward Island

• Quebec - Commission des normes, de l’équité, de la santé et de la sécurité du travail (CNESST)

• Saskatchewan - Saskatchewan Workers’ Compensation Board

• Yukon - Yukon Workers’ Compensation, Health and Safety Board