While pursuing their PhD studies, many students opt to take on a student loan. The following list of sources applies mostly to Canadian students and is by no means exhaustive.
Government student loans
Key financial institutions
- Royal Bank of Canada (RBC)
- Bank of Montreal (BMO)
- TD Canada Trust
- Scotiabank
- National Bank of Canada
- Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CIBC)
- Laurentian Bank
Loans and Bursaries
Loans and Bursaries are administered by the province in which the student is deemed to be a resident. Basic qualifications are that the applicant is a full-time student and a Canadian citizen; certain categories of Permanent Residents may also be eligible. The Quebec Student Loan and Canada Student Loan programs operate exclusively on the basis of financial need. Several provinces augment their loan programs with a loan forgiveness programs to help students reduce their debt loads. The McGill Student Aid Office provides information regarding application procedures of these government loan programs. The Student Aid Office also administers institutional need-based funding including short term loans to cover emergency situations, limited bursary assistance and a Work/Study program.
