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Question # 19857 :
In my early twenties, I am returning to college to complete my third year of a Bachelor of Arts degree in Media and Communication. I have been paying my own way up until now, but I will need financial help this year. Which financing option is best for me this last year ?

Answer:

( Last Updated: June 15, 2009 )
Hello ! Most students who need help with financing their education will use their provincial student assistance program. Note that both federal and provincial student loans are administered through your provincial student aid program. So are a number of grants and some bursaries, offered either by the federal or your provincial government. Thus, this is the one major stop, the most important venue. Since you reside in Manitoba (at least, that is from where you wrote), you should first check your provincial student assistance program. Note that the fact that you did not require assistance up until now does not affect your eligibility to student assistance at this time.

Manitoba Student Aid Program

Of course, there are other options, but none so comprehensive. Check the following information for other ideas and tips on sources of possible financing.

Canlearn: Student Loans, Grants and Scholarships

Note that students lines of credit, offered by various financial institutions, often end up being more expensive than government loans. Also, most of the grants and bursaries listed through Manitoba Student Aid require you to be first and foremost eligible to a government loan. Those are to be thought of as ?adds-ons? to your federal and provincial loans, meant to help with some particular or specific need. For other options of grants and bursaries, use the following search engine on a regular basis.

Canlearn: Student Awards

Finally, an option often disregarded is to check with your learning institution. Many have some financial help programs, though often small ones. Yet, those few dollars can make a difference. So, visit the student financial office at your school.

I hope this has answered your question !

The Online Counsellor