Canada Student Grant for Students With Dependants 2026: The Canada Student Grant for Students With Dependants can help students who have children or other eligible dependants and need financial support while studying. For the 2026-27 school year, eligible full-time students can get up to $280 per month for each dependant, with a maximum of $2,240 per year for each dependant. This grant is money that doesn’t have to be paid back.
The program is part of the Canada Student Financial Assistance Program. The federal government provides grants and loans to help cover education costs such as tuition, living costs and other school expenses. Grants are different from loans because grants don’t need to be repaid.
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Who Can Get the Canada Student Grant With Dependants?
You could be eligible if:
- Have a financial need.
- Are a full-time student in an eligible program.
- Study at a designated school.
- Have a dependant who is under 12 years old when your study period starts.
- Have a dependant who is 12 or older and has a permanent disability.
- Have a family income that is below the required income limit.
Income Limits for 2026
Your family income is also used to decide how much help you can receive. The income figures below are based on the previous year’s gross annual family income and apply from August 1, 2026.
| Family size (number of people) | For maximum grant | For grant cut-off |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | n/a | n/a |
| 2 | $54,412 | $98,017 |
| 3 | $66,641 | $117,317 |
| 4 | $76,952 | $129,769 |
| 5 | $86,033 | $141,180 |
| 6 | $94,245 | $151,937 |
| 7 and more | $101,797 | $161,321 |
Students whose family income is below the amount shown under “For maximum grant” can qualify for the maximum grant. When income reaches the grant cut-off amount or higher, the student doesn’t qualify for this grant.
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How Much Can Students Get in 2026-27?
For the 2026 to 2027 school year a full-time student with eligible dependants can receive up to $280 a month for every dependant. The yearly maximum is $2,240 per dependant.
For example when a student with one eligible dependant could receive as much as $2,240 during the school year. A student with two eligible dependants could receive up to $4,480, as long as they meet the program rules and remain eligible.
This grant is paid on top of the regular Canada Student Grant for full-time students. The regular full-time grant can provide up to $525 per month or $4,200 per year until the end of the 2026 to 2027 school year. The 40% increase in federal student grants has also been extended for the 2026 to 2027 academic year. The federal government said this increase includes support for students with dependents.
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How to Apply for the Grant?
Students don’t normally submit a separate federal application just for this grant. They apply for student aid through their province or territory. During that application, the student is assessed for the Canada Student Grant based on things like income, family size, study status and financial need.
- Apply for student grants and loans through your province or territory.
- Give the required information about your income and dependants.
- Complete any documents requested by the student aid office.
- Wait for the assessment to see what funding you’re eligible for.
- Make sure your enrolment is confirmed so the approved funding can be released.
The amount a student gets isn’t always the maximum. Federal student aid is based on the student’s individual situation. Province or territory, family income, tuition fees, living costs, dependants and other factors can all affect the final amount.
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Part-Time Students with Dependants
There is also a separate Canada Student Grant for part-time students with dependants. Eligible part-time students can receive up to $2,688 per year for the 2026 to 2027 school year. This amount can’t be higher than the student’s assessed financial need.
Students should apply through their provincial or territorial student aid office to find out which grants they can receive. The government also recommends checking the federal student aid estimator for an idea of possible funding, although the estimator doesn’t include provincial and territorial grants and loans.
The Canada Student Grant for Students With Dependants can therefore provide useful extra help to parents and other eligible students who are trying to continue their education while also looking after dependants.
FAQs
1. How much can you get from the Canada Student Grant for Students With Dependants?
For the 2026-27 school year, eligible full-time students can get up to $280 per month for each eligible dependant. The maximum is $2,240 per dependant for the school year. The amount you actually get depends on your financial need and other eligibility rules.
2. Does the Canada Student Grant for Students with Dependants have to be paid back?
No. This is a grant so you don’t normally have to repay it. It’s different from a Canada Student Loan, which does have to be paid back later. You still need to meet the program rules to keep the grant.
3. Can part-time students with dependants get this grant?
Part-time students may also get separate federal support. For 2026 to 2027, the Canada Student Grant for Part-Time Students With Dependants can provide up to $2,688 per year. The amount depends on your financial need and other rules.
4. How can you apply for the grant?
You don’t usually make a separate application just for the dependant grant. You apply for student financial aid through your province or territory. Your application is then checked to see which federal grants and loans you may qualify for, based on your income, family size, dependants, study status and financial need.
