Overview. Students Deemed Full-Time Students. Millennium Scholarships. Student Financial Assistance

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3 Overview This brochure explains the rules used by Aide financière aux études, the Québec government s student financial assistance division, to determine the amount of financial assistance to which students are entitled. It is intended for general reference purposes only; in cases involving a dispute or an appeal, the authoritative sources are the Act respecting financial assistance for education expenses and the attendant Regulation. Part I explains the general guidelines of the Loans and Bursaries Program with respect to: student eligibility student categories allowable expenses financial resources and contributions the assessment of award amounts application deadlines and the payment of financial assistance Part II deals with exceptional cases, more specifically: students who are experiencing a difficult family situation reimbursements for the cost of eye glasses or contact lenses the special needs of students with major functional disabilities the means of appeal available to students Further information on the Loans and Bursaries Program is available from the financial assistance office at the institution you are attending. Millennium Scholarships Each year, AFE selects millennium scholarship recipients from among students with the greatest financial need. These students must be enrolled in the second or a subsequent year of a college or undergraduate university program and be entitled to a bursary under the Loans and Bursaries Program. The bursaries awarded to these recipients are covered in full or in part by funds from the Canada Millennium Scholarship Foundation. These students do not receive additional assistance; rather, the funds for their bursaries come from a different source. There is no application procedure for the millennium scholarships. Students Deemed Full-Time Students Certain students are deemed to be studying full-time although they are actually studying part-time. They include: students with a major functional disability single parents: students who are 20 weeks pregnant or more students living with their child under age 12 students living with their child under age 21 if the child has a major functional disability students with spouses and who live with a child: students who are 20 weeks pregnant or more students living with their child under age 6 students living with their child under age 21 if the child has a major functional disability Québec students now have access to around $70 million each year under the agreement regarding the millennium scholarships. Half of this amount is used to fund direct services to students in Québec colleges and universities. The other half is used to lower the student loan ceilings and thereby reduce the debt load of students receiving financial assistance under the Loans and Bursaries Program.

4 Contents Introduction Glossary PART I THE RULES FOR AWARDING LOANS AND BURSARIES 1. Eligibility Citizenship or Permanent Resident Status Residence in Québec Designated Educational Institutions and Recognized Programs Student Status: Full-Time or Deemed Full-Time Maximum Period of Eligibility Student Loan Debt Limits Ineligibility Student Categories Students Without a Parental Contribution Students With a Spousal Contribution Students With a Parental Contribution Allowable Expenses Educational Expenses Living Expenses Additional Living Expenses for Single-Parent Families Transportation Costs Practicum Expenses Living Expenses and Childcare Expenses Other Expenses Financial Resources and Contributions Student Parents Spouse Assessment of Financial Assistance Awards Loans Bursaries Maximum Award Amounts Deadlines and Terms and Conditions of Payment Deadlines Changes During the Year Payment of Financial Assistance to Recipients Assignment of Interest and Repayment of Student Loan Debt Repayment Postponement PART II EXCEPTIONAL CASES Exceptional Family Situations Students Placed in a Foster Home or Youth Protection Centre Students Placed in the Custody of a Guardian Students Whose Family Situation Has Deteriorated Students Whose Parents or Spouse Cannot Be Located Students Whose Parents (or Custodial Parent) Live in a Protected Residence Students in a Half-Way House Eye Glasses and Contact Lenses Major Functional Disabilities Special Conditions Procedure Appeals Changes Reviews Exceptional Cases Complaints APPENDIX 1: Permanent Resident Categories as They Apply to Students APPENDIX 2: Additional Weeks of Study ( Award Year) APPENDIX 3: Examples of Loan Assessments Gouvernement du Québec Ministère de l Éducation ISBN: Legal Deposit: Bibliothèque nationale du Québec, 2003

5 Introduction Every year, thanks to the Loans and Bursaries Program, some Quebeckers have the opportunity to continue their studies in a secondary school vocational education program or at a college, university or other educational institution recognized by the Ministère de l Éducation du Québec (MEQ). Run by the MEQ, the Loans and Bursaries Program is the main source of student funding provided by Aide financière aux études (AFE). It is intended for students who wish to study full-time but do not have the financial means to do so. The Loans and Bursaries Program is based on the principle that the student and, in some cases, the parents or spouse, must contribute toward the cost of the student s education according to their respective means. When assessing the amount of financial assistance to which you are entitled, the government considers the contributions expected in your particular case, and the expenses normally incurred in pursuing one s studies. Financial assistance is initially awarded in the form of a loan that you will have to repay at the end of your studies. The government guarantees this loan and pays the interest on it as long as you remain a full-time student. If the loan does not cover your allowable expenses, you may be awarded a bursary, which you will not have to repay. Choice of Financial Institution Students may redeem their loan certificates at any financial institution (bank branch or caisse populaire) provided it is located in Québec. Glossary Allowable expenses: Overall expenses normally incurred in pursuing one s studies. Assessment: Procedure by which the amount of financial assistance to be awarded to a student is determined on the basis of his or her allowable expenses and expected contribution (plus that of the parents or spouse, if any). Award year: Academic year made up of three terms (summer, fall and winter) lasting about three months each. Bursary: Financial assistance awarded to a student by the government when the maximum loan does not cover the difference between the student s allowable expenses and the contributions expected in his or her case. This type of assistance does not have to be repaid. Calendar year: The period of January 1 to December 31. Civil union: Commitment made by two persons who consent to live together. The civil union is contracted openly before a competent celebrant and is witnessed through a civil union act. Contribution: Amount provided by the student, parents or spouse toward the cost of the student s education. Cooperative program: Program of study which, in addition to courses, includes paid full-time practicums (periods of practical training in the workplace). Debtor: Student who has taken out one or more student loans and who must repay them at the end of his or her studies. Declaration of actual situation: Form on which students confirm their income for the calendar year and report their activities during their period of availability for work (usually the summer). Exemption period: Grace period during which debtors are not required to make payments on their student loans. Interest assignment date: Date on which debtors become responsible for the interest on their student loans once they are no longer full-time students. They are not required to start making payments on the principal at this time. Loan: Government-guaranteed financial assistance awarded to a student enrolled full-time at a secondary vocational education or postsecondary institution. The student pays no interest to the financial institution as long as he or she is enrolled full-time. Parents: Persons who, under the rules for awarding financial assistance, must support the student financially. In this brochure, the term parents also applies to the student s sponsor. Repayment postponement: Grace period granted to students during a temporary interruption of their full-time studies. They are not required to make payments on their student loans during this time. Sponsor: Person, other than a parent or spouse, who has endorsed a student s application for permanent residence in Canada, in accordance with the provisions of the Immigration Act. In this brochure, the term parents includes the sponsor. Spouse: Person to whom the student is married or with whom the student is living in a civil union or living as though married, along with a child, who may be either the student s or the spouse s (the latter part of this definition also applies to samesex partners). Student: Person pursuing secondary vocational, college or university studies. 1

6 PART I The Rules for Awarding Loans and Bursaries 1 Eligibility To qualify for the Loans and Bursaries Program, you must: be a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident within the meaning of the Act respecting immigration to Canada be a Québec resident or be deemed a Québec resident at the time of your application be admitted to a designated educational institution be pursuing or be deemed to be pursuing full-time studies in a recognized program have received financial assistance for less than the maximum number of terms (this number varies according to the level of education and type of degree or program) not have reached the debt limit established for your level of education, type of degree or program demonstrate that you do not have sufficient financial resources to pursue your studies 1.1 Citizenship or Permanent Resident Status You must be either a Canadian citizen by birth, a naturalized Canadian citizen or a permanent resident. 1.2 Residence in Québec To apply for financial assistance, you must be a Québec resident or be deemed a Québec resident, i.e. you must meet one of the following criteria: You were born in Québec or you were adopted by a person who resided in Québec at the time of your adoption. One of your parents resides in Québec. Your parents are deceased, but one of them resided in Québec at the time of his or her death. You still have your residence in Québec, although your parents now live elsewhere. Québec is the last place where you resided for 12 consecutive months without pursuing full-time studies. You hold a selection certificate issued under the Act respecting immigration to Québec. You have been residing in Québec for at least three months and have not resided in another Canadian province for more than three months. You have resided in Québec in accordance with one of the above statements for three consecutive years within the last five years. Your spouse is or was deemed a Québec resident in keeping with one of the above criteria. You are studying outside Québec but reside in Québec and meet one of the criteria listed above. In addition, if you are studying outside Québec, you are deemed a Québec resident if you resided in the province before the date of your departure and meet one of the following criteria: Your parents reside in Québec. Your parents no longer reside in Québec, but moved out of the province no more than five years ago. You have not interrupted your full-time studies for more than 12 consecutive months following the date of your departure. Your spouse has not worked outside Québec for more than 12 months following the date of your departure. Students who were born in Québec and are coming back to Québec without their parents in order to study qualify for the Loans and Bursaries Program upon their arrival in Québec. They do not need to work for 12 months without studying full-time in order to qualify. Applicants are required to reside in Québec for 12 months without studying full-time in order to prevent situations whereby students receive financial assistance from both Québec and another province. Should a student s parents separate and one of them leaves Québec, AFE takes the custodial parent s place of residence into account. If the custodial parent resides in Québec, the student is considered a Québec resident. If the custodial parent does not reside in Québec, however, the student is not considered a Québec resident. In cases where the parents have shared custody, the student is considered a Québec resident only if one of them resides in Québec. 2

7 1.3 Designated Educational Institutions and Recognized Programs To qualify for the Loans and Bursaries Program, you must have been admitted to an educational institution designated by the Minister of Education in order to pursue full-time studies or studies that are deemed full-time studies in a recognized program. The criteria used to designate an educational institution and recognize a program vary according to whether the institution is located in Québec or outside Québec. Some programs are recognized for the purpose of loans only, while others are recognized for both loans and bursaries. Québec Educational Institutions Designated and Programs Recognized for Loans and Bursaries Educational Institutions Programs Level The maximum loan varies according to the level of education and type of program or degree. University-level educational institutions to which the Act respecting educational institutions at the university level (R.S.Q., c. E-14.1) and the University of Québec Act (R.S.Q., c. U-1) apply Programs leading to a university degree, certificate or diploma Professional accounting programs (excluding the professional training period) University General and vocational colleges to which the General and Vocational Colleges Act (R.S.Q., c. C-29, c. 25) applies School boards and educational institutions offering vocational education Institutions to which the Act respecting the Conservatoire de musique et d art dramatique du Québec (R.S.Q., c. C-62.1) applies Agri-food technology institutes Subsidized programs recognized under the college education regulations and leading to a Diploma of College Studies (DCS) or an Attestation of College Studies (ACS) Subsidized vocational education programs recognized under the Basic Vocational Training Regulation and leading to a Diploma of Vocational Studies (DVS) or an Attestation of Vocational Specialization (AVS) Programs recognized under the college education regulations and leading to a DCS Programs authorized by the Minister of Education and leading to a graduate degree (diplôme d études supérieures) or an attestation of studies Vocational education programs recognized under the Basic Vocational Training Regulation and leading to a DVS Programs recognized under the college education regulations and leading to a DCS or an ACS College Secondary College University or equivalent Secondary College 3

8 Québec Educational Institutions Designated and Programs Recognized for Loans and Bursaries (Cont.) Educational Institutions Programs Level The maximum loan varies according to the level of education and type of program or degree. The Institut de tourisme et d hôtellerie du Québec under the Act respecting the Institut de tourisme et d hôtellerie du Québec (R.S.Q., c. I-13.02) Vocational education programs recognized under the Basic Vocational Training Regulation and leading to a DVS or an AVS Programs recognized under the college education regulations and leading to a DCS University programs offered at the institute Secondary College University The École du Barreau du Québec under the Act respecting the Barreau du Québec (R.S.Q., c. B-1) Professional program offered by the Québec bar school (excluding the professional training period) University or equivalent An amount is added to the maximum loan for the given level of education to cover the compulsory fees charged by the educational institution (up to $6 000 per term). Educational institutions offering vocational education Private colleges subsidized under the Act respecting private education (R.S.Q., c. E-9) Institut de police du Québec Nonsubsidized vocational education programs recognized under the Basic Vocational Training Regulation and leading to a DVS or an AVS Subsidized programs recognized under the college education regulations and leading to a DCS or an ACS Basic police training Secondary College College The maximum loan is $3 005, plus an amount to cover the compulsory fees charged by the educational institution (up to $6 000 per term). Private colleges not subsidized under the Act respecting private education (R.S.Q., c. E-9) but subsidized by the Ministère de la Culture et des Communications or one of its agencies 1 Nonsubsidized programs recognized under the college education regulations and leading to a DCS or an ACS College 1. The following private educational institutions are subsidized by the Ministère de la Culture et des Communications under the relevant legislation: Les ateliers de danse moderne de Montréal inc. École supérieure de danse du Québec École de danse de Québec Institut d'enregistrement du Canada enr. École nationale de l'humour Musitechnic services éducatifs inc. 4

9 Québec Educational Institutions Designated and Programs Recognized for Loans Only Educational Institutions Programs Level General and vocational colleges to which the General and Vocational Colleges Act (R.S.Q., c. C-29, c. 25) applies The maximum loan is $3 100 per term. Nonsubsidized programs recognized under the college education regulations and leading to a DCS or an ACS College Private colleges (subsidized or not) to which the Act respecting private education (R.S.Q., c. E-9) applies Nonsubsidized programs recognized under the college education regulations and leading to a DCS or an ACS College Out-of-Province Educational Institutions A Québec student attending an out-of-province educational institution qualifies for financial assistance only if the institution is designated and his or her program is recognized by the Minister of Education of Québec. The following tables set out the different categories of out-of-province institutions and programs that are designated or recognized for the purposes of loans and bursaries or for the purposes of loans only. A student admitted to an institution that is not designated or a program that is not recognized may file an application to have the institution designated or the program recognized by the Minister. Likewise, a student admitted to a program recognized for the purposes of loans only may apply to have the program recognized for the purposes of both loans and bursaries. The brochure entitled Studying Outside Québec explains the terms and conditions according to which out-of-province postsecondary institutions are designated and programs recognized for the purposes of both loans and bursaries and for the purposes of loans only. Outside Québec but in Canada The following institutions and programs are designated or recognized for the purposes of both loans and bursaries. Educational Institutions Programs Level An amount is added to the maximum loan for the given level of education to cover the compulsory fees charged by the educational institution (up to $6 000 per term). Canadian postsecondary institutions recognized (accredited) by their respective provincial governments Canadian universities recognized (accredited) by their respective provincial governments Canadian universities recognized (accredited) by their respective provincial governments Programs that are subsidized by the government of the province in which the educational institution is located and that meet the requirements applicable to programs leading to a DCS or an ACS in Québec Programs that are subsidized by the government of the province in which the university is located and that meet the requirements applicable to programs leading to a university degree, certificate or diploma in Québec Programs that meet the requirements applicable to programs leading to a master s or doctoral degree, certificate or diploma in Québec College University University 5

10 The following institutions and programs are designated or recognized for the purposes of loans only. Educational Institutions Programs Level Canadian postsecondary institutions recognized (accredited) by their respective provincial governments The maximum loan is $3 100 per term. Programs that are not subsidized by the government of the province in which the educational institution is located and that meet the requirements applicable to programs leading to a DCS or an ACS in Québec College Canadian universities recognized (accredited) by their respective provincial governments Programs that are not subsidized by the government of the province in which the university is located and that meet the requirements applicable to programs leading to a university degree, certificate or diploma in Québec University Outside Canada The following institutions and programs are designated or recognized for the purposes of both loans and bursaries. Educational Institutions Programs Level An amount is added to the maximum loan for the given level of education to cover the compulsory fees charged by the educational institution (up to $6 000 per term). Postsecondary institutions located in France Universities located in France Universities recognized (accredited) by the government of their respective countries Programs leading to a Diplôme national Programs leading to a Diplôme national Programs that meet the requirements applicable to programs leading to a master s or doctoral degree, certificate or diploma in Québec College University University 6

11 The following institutions and programs are designated or recognized for the purposes of loans only. Educational Institutions Programs Level Postsecondary institutions recognized (accredited) by the government of their respective countries The maximum loan is $3 100 per term. Programs that meet the requirements applicable to programs leading to a DCS or an ACS in Québec College Postsecondary institutions located in France Universities recognized (accredited) by the government of their respective countries Programs leading to a Diplôme national Programs that meet the requirements applicable to programs leading to a university degree, certificate or diploma in Québec University University Studying outside Québec All Canadian college and university programs subsidized by the government of their province are recognized for the purposes of loans and bursaries. Students studying outside Québec (including those studying in other Canadian provinces and in France) who are enrolled in one of the programs listed below, to which access in Québec has been limited by the Québec government or the MEQ, do not qualify for financial assistance under the Loans and Bursaries Program: Medicine Natural Environment Technology Police Technology Distance education, second-language learning and aircraft piloting programs are not recognized for the purposes of loans and bursaries or for the purposes of loans only. 1.4 Student Status: Full-Time or Deemed Full-Time To qualify for a student loan, you must pursue or be deemed to pursue full-time studies in a recognized program. If you are attending an educational institution in the province of Québec, being a full-time student during a term means: you are pursuing studies in a secondary school vocational education program for at least 12 credits or 180 hours per term you are pursuing studies in at least four courses or 180 hours (periods) at the college level you are pursuing studies for a minimum of 12 credits in an undergraduate university program the institution you are attending confirms your status as a full-time student in a master s or doctoral program If you are attending an educational institution outside Québec, the MEQ will determine whether you are a full-time student on the basis of the status reported to it by the educational institution. To be deemed a full-time student, you must be pursuing parttime studies in a recognized program and belong to one of the following categories. Student with a major functional disability Single parent You live with your child who is under age 12 as of September 30, You live with your child who is under age 21 as of September 30, 2003, if your child is a student with a major functional disability. You are 20 weeks pregnant or more. Student with a spouse You live with your child who is under age 6 as of September 30, You live with your child who is under age 21 as of September 30, 2003, if your child is a student with a major functional disability. You are 20 weeks pregnant or more. 7

12 Being a part-time student during a term means: you are taking 6 or 11 credits or 76 to 179 hours of courses in a secondary school vocational education program you are taking 2 or 3 courses or 76 to 179 hours of courses (periods) in a college program you are declared a part-time student by the educational institution you attend (graduate level) you are declared a part-time student by the university you attend if it is located outside Québec The educational institution verifies the status of students before giving them their loan certificates or bursary cheques. Students enrolled in courses that are part of a secondary school vocational education program are considered fulltime students if they are taking at least 180 hours of courses between July 1 and August 31 for the summer term; between September 1 and January 20 for the fall term; and between January 21 and June 30 for the winter term. The same is true when determining students parttime status but, in this case, the required number of credits, courses or course hours (periods) has to be taken into consideration for a given term. This rule also applies to students who start their courses mid-term. For example, students who start their courses on November 3 and are taking 30 hours of courses per week qualify as full-time students for the fall term, since they will have taken more than 180 hours of courses by January 20. The status of vocational education students is verified after the fourth week of their first term of study to determine whether they withdrew from all of their courses before the withdrawal date, and again, if necessary, after the eighth week to determine whether they dropped out. For all subsequent terms, the status of students is verified on the dates set for the payment of their financial assistance. Students enrolled as independent students or enrolled in language courses (French, English or other) do not qualify for financial assistance under the Loans and Bursaries Program. Students enrolled in the following college programs qualify for the Loans and Bursaries Program provided they are studying full-time (i.e. enrolled for at least 4 courses or 180 hours): Summer Courses (080.03); Preparation for University (080.04); Orientation and Integration (081.02); Transition (081.03). Students considered to be enrolled full-time by a Québec educational institution, given the provisions of the college education regulations or its own regulations (e.g. at the end of a DCS program), qualify for the Loans and Bursaries Program if they are enrolled for 4 courses or 180 hours of courses at the college level or 12 credits at the undergraduate university level. Students enrolled full-time at the university level (i.e. for at least 12 credits) as independent students qualify for financial assistance under the Loans and Bursaries Program for a maximum of two terms at each of the bachelor s, master s and doctoral levels. The program code, for administrative purposes, is Any term for which independent students receive financial assistance counts toward their maximum period of eligibility. A practicum is considered equivalent to full-time studies if it is a compulsory part of the program of study and if it is actually completed on a full-time basis. Research carried out by graduate students as part of a research project does not qualify as a practicum. 1.5 Maximum Period of Eligibility Students qualify for both a loan and a bursary or for a loan only for a specified number of terms of full-time study or study that is deemed full-time study. This number varies according to the level of education (secondary, college or university), the program and, for university students, the type of degree (bachelor s, master s or doctoral). 8

13 Students who have family responsibilities qualify for a bursary for two additional terms beyond the standard eligibility period. However, the bursary amounts awarded for these two additional terms will cover only living expenses for the children, childcare expenses and the additional living expenses allowed in the case of singleparent families. After these two additional terms, these same expenses may be covered by a bursary if the Minister, following an exceptional case application, rules that a student qualifies for financial assistance even though he or she has used up all his or her terms of eligibility. However, any bursary amount awarded to the student at this time may not exceed that awarded during the two additional terms referred to above. The maximum number of terms given in each case includes those for which a student has received financial assistance in a different program at the same level, in the case of secondary school vocational education and college programs, or in a different program leading to a degree at the same level, in the case of university programs. Professional training courses offered by professional corporations governed by the Professional Code or schools under their jurisdiction to students who are required to hold a bachelor s degree in order to enroll for them are considered equivalent to studies at the master s level. The same applies to the examinations administered by such corporations or schools. In the case of students who are deemed to be studying full-time, the number of terms counted toward financial assistance is based on the number of courses, course hours or credits required for full-time studies (see Section 1.4 for definition). The number of terms for which the student has received financial assistance under the Loans Program for Part- Time Studies does not decrease the number of terms counted toward eligibility for the Loans and Bursaries Program, and vice-versa. PERIOD OF ELIGIBILITY BY LEVEL OF EDUCATION Loans and Bursaries Loans Only Level (No. of Terms) (Terms) Secondary school* 5 6th and 7th Vocational education 8 9th and 10th Vocational education (apprenticeship system) College* Pre-university education (programs of fewer than 6 terms) 5 6th and 7th Pre-university education (programs of 6 terms or more) 7 8th and 9th Technical education 7 8th and 9th Technical education (programs of a duration of 7 terms) 8 9th and 10th Technical education (programs of 8 terms or more) 9 10th and 11th Technical education (cooperative programs) 9 10th and 11th Conservatoire de musique et d art dramatique du Québec (college-level programs) 7 8th and 9th National Theatre School of Canada 11 12th and 13th University Bachelor s degree** 7 8th and 9th Level I graduate music programs leading to a Diplôme d'études supérieures en musique I or an attestation issued upon completion of three years of training (Conservatoire de musique et d art dramatique du Québec) 7 8th and 9th Programs of a duration of 7 terms 8 9th and 10th Programs of a normal duration of 8 terms or more in Québec or 10 terms or more outside Québec 9 10th and 11th Medicine 11 12th and 13th Cooperative programs 11 12th and 13th Agri-food economics and management (Université Laval) 11 12th and 13th 9

14 PERIOD OF ELIGIBILITY BY LEVEL OF EDUCATION (Cont.) Loans and Bursaries Loans Only Level (No. of Terms) (Terms) University Bachelor s degree** (cont.) Chiropractic (Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières) 12 13th and 14th Optometry (Université de Montréal) 12 13th and 14th Cooperative programs of a duration of 11 terms 12 13th and 14th Cooperative programs of a duration of 12 terms 13 14th and 15th Master s degree* Level II graduate music programs leading to a Diplôme d'études supérieures en musique II (Conservatoire de musique et d art dramatique du Québec) 5 6th and 7th Programs of fewer than 5 terms 5 6th and 7th Programs of 5 terms or more 6 7th and 8th Dentistry (orthodontics or prosthodontic rehabilitation) 10 11th and 12th Specialization in veterinary medicine (Université de Montréal) 10 11th and 12th Doctoral degree* 9 10th and 11th Without a master s degree 11 12th and 13th : Students in university programs or the equivalent qualify for financial assistance for an overall maximum of 22 terms. * In the case of students attending secondary school vocational education programs, college or equivalent level programs who wish to determine the number of terms of eligibility remaining, subtract from the maximum number of terms specified the number of terms completed at the same level of education for which you have been awarded financial assistance. ** For university students who wish to determine the number of terms of eligibility remaining, subtract from the maximum number of terms specified the number of terms completed in another program at the same level for which you have been awarded financial assistance. 1.6 Student Loan Debt Limits If you have reached the debt limit for your level of education, type of degree or program, you no longer qualify for financial assistance unless special authorization is granted following an exceptional case application. Students indebtedness is calculated as follows: the balance of all student loans contracted but not repaid plus loan certificates issued but not redeemed plus loan certificates to be issued for previous terms of study plus the balance of principal to be recovered plus the balance to be recovered under the Deferred Payment Plan (in the case of individuals on this plan prior to May 1, 1999) minus principal repayments minus the balance of loan certificates issued for higherlevel studies 10

15 Level Student Loan Debt Limit Secondary school Vocational education $ College Pre-university education $ Technical education Subsidized programs $ Subsidized programs offered at a private educational institution $ Nonsubsidized technical education $ University Undergraduate degree Programs of fewer than 7 terms $ Programs of 7 terms or more $ Master s degree Programs of fewer than 5 terms $ Programs of 5 terms or more $ Doctoral degree $ Programs outside Canada $ Ineligibility Students who defaulted on their student loans and on whose behalf the MEQ had to repay the financial institution (whether for loans obtained under the Loans and Bursaries Program or under the Loans Program for Part-Time Studies) do not qualify for financial assistance under the Loans and Bursaries Program until they have paid back all of their student loan debt or negotiated repayment terms and conditions. To qualify anew, these students are generally required to pay at least 50% of their defaulted loans up front (i.e. the principal, the interest and amounts owed for deferred payments and bursary overpayments) and agree to repay the balance. This rule does not apply, however, to students whose only student loan debt is for a bursary overpayment. Students who received a bursary amount to which they were not entitled will receive no further financial assistance until they have repaid all of this amount or negotiated repayment terms and conditions with AFE. Students who obtained financial assistance as the result of a false statement are ineligible for the Loans and Bursaries Program for a period of two years as of the date on which the MEQ became aware of the false statement. This period may be extended until the amount obtained under false representation has been paid back in full. Finally, students may not receive financial assistance for a given term under both the Loans and Bursaries Program and the Loans for Part-Time Studies Program. Eligibility for the Loans and Bursaries Program takes precedence. For example, a student who has already received financial assistance under the Loans Program for Part-Time Studies may be awarded assistance under the Loans and Bursaries Program. Nevertheless, the student would still be required to repay his or her financial institution the loan received under the Loans for Part-Time Studies Program with the financial assistance received from the Loans and Bursaries Program. 2 Student Categories The Québec Loans and Bursaries Program defines three categories of students: those without a parental contribution those with a spousal contribution and those with a parental contribution 2.1 Students Without a Parental Contribution Your parents will not be expected to contribute toward the cost of your education if: you are living in a civil union, are married, or legally or de facto separated, divorced or widowed you are or have been the biological or adoptive parent of a child you are single and living with a de facto spouse of the opposite sex or the same sex and a child (yours or your spouse s) you are 20 weeks pregnant or more you have been studying at the university level in Québec for at least three years, have completed six terms of study and earned 90 credits toward a single degree; students who have been studying at the university level outside Québec for at least four years and have completed eight terms of full-time study toward a single degree also fall into this category; those studying at the university level outside Québec who hold a DCS must have completed at least three years and six terms of full-time study toward a single degree 11

16 you have a bachelor s degree from a Québec university, an equivalent degree from an institution outside Québec, a Level I graduate diploma in music (Diplôme d études supérieures en musique I) or an attestation issued upon completion of three years of training at the Conservatoire de musique et d art dramatique du Québec you are pursuing studies full-time in a master s or doctoral program at an educational institution recognized for loans and bursaries or for loans only you have supported yourself for at least two years, excluding any period during which you attended an educational institution as a full-time student you have held a paid job for at least two years, have received employment insurance or income replacement benefits (SAAQ, CSST, QPP, etc.) or supported yourself while not living with your parents you have not studied full-time for at least seven years since the end of your compulsory education you are single and your parents are deceased 2.2 Students With a Spousal Contribution If you are married, or living in a civil union or with a de facto spouse of the opposite sex or the same sex and a child (your own or your spouse s), your spouse will be expected to contribute toward the cost of your education. The spouse is not expected to contribute toward the cost of your education if you are legally or de facto separated, or divorced. 2.3 Students With a Parental Contribution Your parents will be expected to contribute toward the cost of your education if neither of the above categories applies to you. A parental contribution is not expected for the summer term in the case of a student who does not have an undergraduate degree and who is starting a master s or doctoral program in the fall term, unless he or she was studying full-time during the summer term. In subsequent years, the student s parents are exempted from contributing toward the cost of the student s education for any terms during which the student is available for work, as long as he or she is pursuing graduate studies. In the case of students filing a second or subsequent application for financial assistance, a parental contribution is no longer expected if the student has been living with a de facto spouse and at least one child for 24 consecutive months, including the period covered by the application in which the student reported this situation. To determine whether a student who has earned 90 credits has completed the number of years of study required to exclude him or her from the category of students with a parental contribution, one year is counted for each award year (May 1 to April 30) in which the person studied full-time at the university level, regardless of whether he or she was enrolled for one, two or three terms. A student who has the required number of years of study is considered without a parental contribution as of the summer term of the fourth year or a subsequent term. The years of study do not have to be consecutive or, unlike the terms of full-time study, in the same program. Credits earned and terms of full-time study completed during a preparatory year such as that included in the Medicine program at the Université de Montréal are counted. Any terms of full-time study completed as an independent student or in a different program will be counted if the credits earned in this program are recognized in the student s current program. If you are a permanent resident or a naturalized Canadian, your sponsor will be expected to contribute toward the cost of your education, unless your parents resided in Canada at the beginning of the award year, in which case they will be expected to contribute. If, after being sponsored, you meet none of the criteria exempting you from the parental contribution, the financial resources of your parents will be taken into account as of the following year, if they reside in Canada. The categories of students with permanent resident status who are subject to this rule are listed in Appendix 1. 12

17 The date on which credits are considered to be earned is the start date of the term following that in which the student met all the criteria for consideration as an autonomous (self-supporting) student, i.e. the required number of years of study and terms of full-time study and 90 credits. These dates are May 1 for the summer term, September 1 for the fall term and January 1 for the winter term. If the sponsor is an organization, a contribution is not expected. In the case of university degrees obtained in Ontario, only honours degrees and bachelor s degrees with a specialization are considered equivalent to Québec bachelor s degrees. 3 Allowable Expenses The term allowable expenses refers to the overall amount students are considered to need in order to pursue their studies. These expenses are calculated per award year or per term. They mainly consist of educational expenses, living expenses and transportation costs. Students who are single parents are allowed additional living expenses. Students who have children living with them are allowed living and childcare expenses for their children. Allowable expenses may also include: a special allowance for students in regions and regional county municipalities (RCMs) that are considered outlying areas; the interest paid under the Computer Loan Guarantee Program; and the cost of certain medication or chiropractic treatments. Students are not allowed expenses for any period during which they are: serving a prison sentence, unless they are serving their time in a halfway house or on weekends only taking part in a program of study offered and paid for by Human Resources Development Canada taking part in an Emploi-Québec manpower training measure (employment assistance allowance) within a program offered at a public secondary school or college, if the program is subsidized; this applies to participants in such measures whether they receive employment assistance benefits only or both these benefits and a training allowance 3.1 Educational Expenses Educational expenses include compulsory fees charged by the educational institution (admission fees, registration fees, tuition fees, fees related to instructional services and other fees), as well as the cost of textbooks and supplies. The amount allowed for textbooks and supplies varies according to the educational institution, program and level of education. Amount Allowed for Textbooks and Supplies per Term Secondary school vocational education program $125 Pre-university college program $125 Technical college program $150 University program $325 Architecture, Visual Arts, Chiropractic, Physical Education, Occupational Therapy, Medicine, Veterinary Medicine, Music, Speech Therapy, Audiology, Optometry, Pharmacy, Physiotherapy, Engineering $375 Master s or doctoral programs, when the term is devoted to writing a dissertation or thesis $150 The maximum allowed for compulsory fees is $6 000 per term. When an educational institution adjusts the amount of the compulsory fees charged to a student following a change in his or her status and issues a refund, the amount allowed the student for educational expenses is accordingly adjusted. In the case of a student attending a private educational institution, the educational institution must send the refund to the financial institution, which will apply it against his or her student loans (to offset the portion of the student loan to which he or she is no longer entitled). The compulsory fees charged by Québec universities may vary according to the number of credits taken. In such cases, the amount charged includes registration and tuition fees that vary according to the number of credits taken, other variable fees and fixed fees. The amount allowed for educational expenses in such cases is based on the number of credits a student must take to complete the given program in the normal period of time. This amount is later reassessed on the basis of the number of credits reported by the student for each term in his or her Declaration of Actual Situation form. The second financial assistance installment for a term will be 13

18 paid to the student only once the educational institution has confirmed the number of credits taken by the student. For those who are studying during their period of availability for work but are not full-time students or are not deemed full-time students, the amount for educational expenses will be allowed on the condition that the students provide proof of their expenses. A loan amount equivalent to the compulsory fees paid by the student will be awarded over and above the maximum loan provided that, the following term, the student is admitted to a program for which an amount is added to the maximum loan to cover compulsory fees. Please note that in this case, the student does not qualify for the Loans Program for Part-Time Studies. For students deemed full-time students, the amount allowed for educational expenses is the same as if they were full-time students. Therefore, the loan amount may vary according to the number of university credits or the compulsory fees. However, the total amount for textbooks and supplies is always allowed. Students who at the same time are pursuing studies for which they are requesting financial assistance and other studies may be allowed an amount for the educational expenses related to the first program only. Students enrolled full-time in a vocational education program at a public secondary school do not pay compulsory fees. Expenses related to the purchase of textbooks and supplies are not allowed in the case of a student who will be doing a full-time practicum for the entire term. The compulsory fees paid by students attending educational institutions outside Canada are converted into Canadian dollars at the exchange rate in force on May 1 of the current award year. In the case of students with major functional disabilities who are studying part-time, expenses related to the purchase of textbooks and supplies are allowed on the basis of the number of courses or credits taken. 3.2 Living Expenses Living expenses are assessed on a per-week basis and vary according to whether or not you are living with your parents. They also vary according to your activities and the number of weeks recognized per term. The amounts allowed are the following: Students Living With Their Parents Neither studying nor working Studying or working Students Not Living With Their Parents Neither studying nor working Studying or working $31 per week $59 per week $117 per week $165 per week At the time of your application, certain assumptions are made with regard to your situation during your period of availability for work. If you were not studying full-time, it is assumed you were working. If you fall into the category of students with a parental contribution, it is assumed you were living with your parents, unless you were studying full-time and not living with them. 14

19 If you fall into the category without a parental contribution, whether or not you were living with your parents is determined on the basis of your situation during the first term of study of the current award year. Students Considered to Be Living With Their Parents The following students are considered to be living with their parents. (a)students with a parental contribution: if they are actually living with them if their parents home is in the same residential zone 1 as the students educational institution, place of work or practicum (b)students without a parental contribution: if they are actually living with their parents, are single and do not have children Students Considered Not to Be Living With Their Parents Other students, including students who are 20 weeks pregnant or more, are considered not to be living with their parents. When there is no adequate public transit between the parents home and the educational institution even though they are in the same residential zone, students in the category with a parental contribution may be considered not to be living with their parents. In such cases, the student must provide confirmation from the educational institution. During disability weeks, students are considered to be living in the same place they reported in their declaration of actual situation. This, however, does not apply to students with a parental contribution ; where they were living during their period of availability for work is taken into account. Students who are neither working nor studying and who fall into the category with a parental contribution are considered to be living with their parents, unless they are naturalized Canadians or permanent residents who do not or no longer have a sponsor and whose parents do not live in Canada. Number of Weeks Recognized The following table sets out the number of weeks per term for which secondary school students are allowed living expenses. Secondary School Students TERMS Summer Fall Winter Enrolled in a vocational education program In all other cases, the number of weeks recognized per term varies according to the level at which you were studying the previous winter. If you were not studying the previous winter, the number of weeks recognized will be determined on the basis of the level at which you will be studying during your first term. College and University Students Level of Studies the TERMS Previous Winter Summer Fall Winter Secondary school College University A higher weekly amount is allowed to students who were working or studying rather than to those who were not. Your expenses during the period you were available for work are determined on the basis of your activities. 1. The residential zone is determined by the availability or unavailability of public transit to and from the educational institution, place of work or organization hosting the practicum. 15

20 Studying During the Period of Availability for Work If you were studying part-time, the number of weeks recognized is based on the number of credits or course hours (periods) you declare. Number of Credits* Number of Hours (Periods) or Less Number of weeks of study recognized * College students must multiply the number of credits by 1.5 and round the product up to the nearest number. For example, if you were in university last winter and took 7 credits during the summer term, eight weeks of study will be recognized and the corresponding amount allowed. Temporarily Disabled If you were temporarily unable to work during the summer due to a physical disability, the number of weeks recognized will be determined on the basis of the medical certificate you provide. You will be granted the same allowance as a student who was neither studying nor working. Working The number of weeks you are considered to have worked is determined by dividing the sum of your gross employment income and your net business or self-employment income by one of the following amounts, as determined by the level at which you were studying during the winter term preceding the current award year: Coming in from secondary school $235 Coming in from college $255 Coming in from university or not studying full-time $295 The gross employment income taken into account is that earned in the calendar year ending in the award year in question. The following amounts are added, if applicable: any income earned as an official-language monitor under the federal government program vacation pay redemption of sick-leave or special-leave credits benefits received under a salary insurance plan wages received as a trainee, resident physician or research assistant tips and gratuities severance pay Income earned as an election official is not taken into account in the assessment of the student s contribution. Your period of availability for work corresponds to the summer of the award year if you were studying full-time or were deemed to be studying full-time during both the fall and winter terms of the same award year or during one of these two terms. It corresponds to the fall term if you studied during both the summer and winter terms. Studying during the term when you are available for work does not qualify you for the Loans Program for Part-Time Studies. Additional weeks of study are recognized for certain programs that extend over a longer period of time due to the academic calendar or exceptional circumstances (see Appendix 2). To calculate the number of additional weeks of study, subtract from the number of weeks of study actually completed the number of weeks recognized for the award year. These weeks are generally granted during the term when you are available for work. However, an application for the additional weeks must be made by the educational institution. Steps have been taken to ease the transition from employment assistance to the Loans and Bursaries Program. Their applications for financial assistance are given priority treatment, that is, within two weeks time. During the transition term, these students are considered to be studying full-time for the full term. However, their living expenses for each month covered by the ministère de l Emploi, de la Solidarité sociale et de la Famille are adjusted on the basis of their place of residence. This ministry will stop covering these expenses the month after that in which the recipients start their full-time studies. The financial assistance offices must make the necessary verifications in order to ensure that application forms forwarded by the local employment centres are duly completed and that all required documents are enclosed with them, including, if applicable, a record of landing (IMM 1000 or IMM 5292) or proof of citizenship issued by Citizenship and Immigration Canada. Students who were receiving employment assistance benefits before they received financial assistance under the Loans and Bursaries Program and who received benefits from the ministère de l Emploi, de la Solidarité sociale et de la Famille for the month of September or January are not allowed living expenses for their first four weeks in college or university. 16

21 If you cannot provide a proof of registration or employment, you will be considered to have been neither studying nor working. Students doing a professional training period recognized and required by a professional corporation do not qualify for financial assistance during this period. However, they may postpone the repayment of their student loans during this period if they are in a precarious financial situation, i.e. if their gross monthly employment income is equal to or lower than a maximum income that varies according to their family situation. Please refer to the brochure entitled Deferred Payment Plan for these maximum incomes. 3.3 Additional Living Expenses for Single-Parent Families Students who are single parents, i.e. who do not have a spouse, are legally or de facto separated, divorced or widowed are allowed $695 for additional living expenses if their child is under age 18. Students whose child is age 18 or over are allowed $1 995, as are students who are 20 weeks pregnant or more and do not have other children living with them. Students are considered single parents if they are single, widowed, divorced or separated (de facto or legally) or their spouse cannot be located, and they have custody of a child at least 25% of the time. Single students who are 20 weeks pregnant or more are also considered single parents. When the child of a student who is a single parent turns 18 during the term and the student has no other children under age 18, this change in the student s situation is taken into account as of the month following the child s birthday. The same applies in the case of a student who reaches her 20th week of pregnancy. Under the Québec Family Policy, the basic needs of children under age 18, including the $1 300 granted to single parents, are now covered by the new Québec family allowance and the federal child tax benefits. As a result, students are generally not allowed living expenses for minor children. The additional amount allowed to single parents for children under age 18 has been reduced for the same reason. 3.4 Transportation Costs If you are considered to be living with your parents, the cost of transportation to and from your educational institution, the organization hosting your practicum or your place of work will be included in your allowable expenses. If your place of residence and destination are in the same municipality, transportation costs are determined on the basis of actual costs. The minimum amount allowed is $14 per week. If your place of residence and destination are in the same municipality but public transit or the equivalent is not available between them, transportation costs are determined on the basis of actual costs. The minimum amount allowed is $14 per week. If your place of residence and destination are not in the same municipality and public transit or the equivalent is not available between them, or if your destination is not in your residential zone, the minimum amount allowed is $35 per week. If there is no overland transportation between your home and your educational institution or the organization hosting your practicum, and if both are located in Québec, the cost of two round-trip economy-class airline tickets between your home and the closest road link is included in your transportation costs. This amount is allowed only for terms during which you are studying or doing a practicum full-time or are deemed to be studying or doing a practicum full-time. If you are studying fulltime only for one term, you are entitled to only one round trip. 3.5 Practicum Expenses A practicum is a period of practical training in the workplace. It is recognized only when it is a compulsory part of the program and credited, or when it is part of a credit course within a program of study. Practicum expenses may be included in your allowable expenses if you are not living with your parents but must move in order to do a compulsory practicum during a given term. You will still be considered not to be living with your parents and will be allowed an additional $56 per week. If the practicum extends over the entire term, you qualify for this additional amount only if your spouse continues to live at your usual place of residence. 17

22 The maximum allowance for practicum expenses is $1 128 per award year. Students who are living with their parents but must move away from home in order to do a compulsory practicum may be considered not to be living with their parents for the duration of their practicum and allowed the corresponding amount for living expenses. 3.6 Living Expenses and Childcare Expenses Living Expenses Your allowable expenses will include living expenses for each child 18 years of age or over who is living with you and for each child under 18 years of age if you have shared custody and do not receive family allowance benefits. If the child turns 18 during the award year, you will be allowed living expenses for this child as of the month following his or her birthday. The amounts allowed are $2 600 a year for the first child and $2 400 a year for each additional child. Pregnant students are also allowed living expenses for the child they are expecting as of the month following the 20th week of their pregnancy until the month following the child s birth. If you do not receive the maximum family allowance benefits because of your income, were not a student during the term preceding the award year and are single or your spouse is studying full-time, you will be allowed living expenses for each child under age 18. Such expenses are also allowed if your spouse is receiving employment assistance benefits. The amount allowed is equal to the difference between the family allowance payments you actually received and those you would have been entitled to had you not had your income. The living expenses allowed for your children will be reassessed if you report a change in your circumstances and enclose a notice from the Régie des rentes du Québec (pink slip) confirming the amount of your family allowance benefits and of your federal child tax benefits. To be considered a student s child, the child must be single, not have children of his or her own, and meet one of the following criteria: be under 18 years of age be 18 years of age or over, be studying full-time and be living with his or her parents be 18 years of age or over, be studying full-time or, in the case of a child with a major disability, be deemed to be studying full-time and not be living with his or her parents if he or she falls within the category with a parental contribution If you have shared custody of a child, the amount allowed for living expenses is proportional to the amount of time he or she spends with you, as ordered by a court judgment or stipulated in an agreement ratified by the court. If there is no such agreement or judgment and the other parent has custody of the child at least 25% of the time, he or she must also sign the section of the Declaration of Family Status form pertaining to custody. Students whose child is not living with them because he or she has been placed in the custody of a child and youth protection centre will be allowed living expenses for the child if they must support him or her. Childcare Expenses Students are allowed a weekly amount to cover childcare expenses for each child they report, i.e. $25 per week for each child 11 years of age or under as of September 30. An amount may also be allowed for children 12 years of age or over who have major functional disabilities or mental disorders. This amount will be allowed only for the number of weeks recognized in the term, minus two weeks. If the student is attending courses during his or her period of availability for work, the amount allowed for childcare expenses depends on the number of study weeks recognized. If the student and his or her spouse are both studying full-time in a secondary school vocational education program or at the postsecondary level, living and childcare expenses will be granted to the mother, unless otherwise indicated by the persons concerned. In such cases, the change is effective for the entire award year or for each term. However, living expenses allowed in the case of a pregnant woman for the child she is carrying cannot be transferred to her spouse. 18

23 Childcare expenses are allowed to the student in full when he or she has custody of the child over 50% of the time. Childcare expenses are divided equally between the parents when custody of the child is shared equally between them. Otherwise, no amount is allowed for childcare expenses. If the student s spouse receives financial assistance from the Loans Program for Part-Time Studies, the student will be allowed the total amount of childcare expenses. 3.7 Other Expenses Other types of expenses may be included in a student s allowable expenses. They are: the expenses covered by the special allowance for students in outlying regions or RCMs; interest paid under the Computer Loan Guarantee Program; and certain medication or chiropractic expenses. Special Allowance for Students in Regions and RCMs Considered Outlying Areas Additional expenses are allowed to students who fall into the category with a parental contribution and who do not live with their parents if their place of residence or educational institution is in a region or an RCM that is considered an outlying area. The allowance is $498 for two terms of full-time study and $249 for one term. The regions and RCMs are the following: Bas-Saint-Laurent Gaspésie Îles-de-la-Madeleine Saguenay Lac-Saint-Jean Côte-Nord Nord-du-Québec Abitibi-Témiscamingue Pontiac RCM La Vallée-de-la-Gatineau RCM Antoine-Labelle RCM Le Haut-Saint-Maurice RCM Interest Paid Under the Computer Loan Guarantee Program The interest paid by students under the Computer Loan Guarantee Program qualifies as an allowable expense. The interest is assessed for the award year in question and the same amount will automatically be added to the student s allowable expenses for subsequent years. Medication and Chiropractic Expenses A student s allowable expenses may include the cost of medication or chiropractic treatments, provided the student submits a prescription for the medication or treatments, and provided these expenses are not covered by the Québec health insurance plan or another insurance plan. If they are covered by another organization, only the nonrefundable portion will be considered. The portion exceeding $66 per term will be considered at the time you report a change in your circumstances, provided the corresponding expenses were for yourself, your children or your spouse s children. The cost of medication will be included in the student s allowable expenses only if the medication is on the Conseil consultatif de pharmacologie list. Receipts dated in the month of April are accepted for the current award year. Expenses incurred in May and June by students in secondary school vocational education programs are also accepted for the current award year. However, all receipts must be sent within 45 days of the date of purchase. Since January 1, 1997, all Québec residents must be covered by a private or public prescription drug insurance plan. Children under 18 years of age and full-time studants 25 years of age or under are considered the dependants of the insured persons and generally do not have to pay for prescription drugs out of their pocket. Only students 26 years of age or over or those 25 years of age or under who have a spouse or a child may have to pay. 19

24 4 Financial Resources and Contributions As a student, you are expected to contribute toward the cost of your education. The amount of your contribution is determined on the basis of your financial resources and is taken into account in the assessment of your financial assistance award. The same applies to your parents or spouse s contribution. Contributions are calculated on a per-year or per-term basis, depending on whether you are applying for financial assistance for one, two or three terms, or on whether you change student categories during the year. 4.1 Student When you first submit your application for financial assistance, your student contribution is calculated on the basis of your foreseeable employment income and any other income you expect to receive, including scholarships, between January 1 and December 31 of the calendar year ending in the current award year. Your contribution is later reassessed on the basis of your actual gross employment income as reported in your Declaration of Actual Situation form. A Confirmation of Financial Resources form is sent to you in December so that you can update, if necessary, the information you provided in your declaration of actual situation. Your actual employment income includes: gross income from full-time and part-time employment, including severance pay, tips and gratuities, as well as income from practicums income replacement benefits received under the Act respecting industrial accidents and occupational diseases or similar federal or provincial legislation, the Automobile Insurance Act, the Crime Victims Compensation Act, or the Act to promote good citizenship benefits or retirement or disability pension benefits received under the Act respecting the Québec Pension Plan or the Canada Pension Plan benefits from a strike fund benefits received under a salary insurance plan benefits received under the Act respecting employment insurance in Canada, excluding benefits related to participation in an Emploi-Québec manpower training measure offered at a school board or college funds (employment assistance allowance) received under an Emploi-Québec manpower training measure while studying at a university or private educational institution bursaries received under the Official-Language Monitor Program benefits received under a private or public retirement plan redemption of sick-leave or special-leave credits net business or self-employment income within the meaning of the Taxation Act for the calendar year ending in the current award year Financial Resources If verification of your income with the Ministère du Revenu shows that you received a bursary overpayment, i.e. a larger bursary than you were entitled to, then you are liable for the penalties provided for in the Act respecting financial assistance for education expenses. You will receive a claim for the amount overpaid. Interest is charged on the overpayment as of the date on which it becomes payable. However, if the overpayment is the result of a false statement by the student, interest is charged as of the date on which the overpayment was disbursed to the student. The interest rate on overpayments is 9%. In cases involving a false statement, the interest rate is 11%. These rates are reviewed yearly on May 1 and apply to the outstanding balance as of that date. Income from scholarships or bursaries includes: all scholarships or bursaries from associations, foundations (including the excellence awards from the Canadian Millennium Scholarship Foundation), private firms, government agencies, AFE (for example bursaries awarded to the elected executive officers of national student associations), excluding bursaries received through a registered education savings plan or through the Loans and Bursaries Program (in the latter case, the portion, if any, financed by the millennium scholarship fund is also excluded) 20

25 Other income includes: death benefits in the form of pensions paid by the Société de l assurance automobile du Québec orphan s pensions, pensions for a disabled person s child and surviving spouse s pensions under the Act respecting the Québec Pension Plan or the Canada Pension Plan income from an estate, trust or gift allowances from Indian and Northern Affairs Canada or a band council allowances from the Solicitor General of Canada or the Ministère de la Sécurité publique support payments investment income (interest, dividends, capital gains) amounts of free tuition monetary benefits or benefits to which a monetary value may be assigned, excluding support payments or compensatory benefits received under a de facto separation agreement, a divorce judgment or a legal separation judgment pensions paid under the Crime Victims Compensation Act to the child of a crime victim Since the coming into force of the Act to facilitate the payment of support, students must declare the amount they actually received in support payments from their spouse or ex-spouse or from their child s father or mother. The amount declared for support payments must include all amounts the recipients can use at their discretion as well as money paid to third parties and considered support in the court judgment. If the court judgment stipulates that the support granted does not have to be declared for tax purposes, the amounts actually received must be declared. Support payments granted in a court judgment and paid directly to the student by one or both of his or her parents are taken into account. They replace the contribution expected from the parent or parents. Support payments are taken into account in all cases, except if the student demonstrates that the Ministère du Revenu du Québec, which is now responsible for the automatic collection and payment of support, cannot make the support payments. Since responsibility for training measures formerly provided as part of employment insurance has been transferred to the Québec government, these measures have been provided through Emploi-Québec and its local employment centres. Programs for students taking part in an Emploi-Québec training measure and attending public secondary- or college-level institutions are paid for by Emploi-Québec if the program is subsidized. The amounts paid are not taken into account for the purpose of the Loans and Bursaries Program because the person concerned is not eligible. However, students participating in these training measures are eligible if they are enrolled in a program that is offered in a private educational institution or university, or in a self-financed program in a public college except if the educational expenses are paid in full by Emploi- Québec. Income earned as an election officer is not considered part of the student s financial resources. Contribution When Processing Your Application Your student contribution is assessed by taking into account your foreseeable income, which is determined on the basis of your activities during the winter term preceding the academic year for which you are applying for financial assistance, plus any other income. Foreseeable income of a student: Coming in from the secondary level $1 175 Coming in from college $2 805 Coming in from university or returning to school $4 425 Your student contribution is calculated as follows: Foreseeable income + 100% of bursary income in excess of $ % of all other financial resources When Processing Your Declaration of Actual Situation Your student contribution is later reassessed on the basis of the information you provide in the Declaration of Actual Situation form. This time, a percentage of your actual employment income, other income and bursary income is added to a minimum expected contribution. 21

26 Like your foreseeable income, this minimum contribution is determined on the basis of your activities during the winter term preceding the academic year for which you are applying for financial assistance. If you declare disability weeks or additional weeks of study, this minimum contribution is reduced by $85 per week. It is nil if: you were studying full-time or were deemed to be studying full-time in a secondary school vocational education program or at the postsecondary level during your period of availability for work (generally the summer), except if you were doing a paid practicum as part of a cooperative program you were receiving employment assistance (income security) benefits you have a child who is 14 years of age or under for whom you have been allowed living expenses or you are 20 weeks pregnant or more you have a major functional disability Studying During the Summer MINIMUM STUDENT CONTRIBUTION BASED ON SUMMER ACTIVITIES Coming from an Educational Institution or Returning to School Credits Periods Secondary College University or Returning to School or under $257 $769 $ $ 85 $598 $ $257 $ $ 257 Not studying during the summer $430 $940 $1 280 Your student contribution is reassessed as follows: Minimum contribution + 50% of your actual employment income in excess of the minimum contribution + 100% of bursary income in excess of $ % of your other financial resources The minimum contribution of students coming in from secondary school or the labour market is determined by taking into account two thirds of their employment income for the calendar year ending in the current award year. Students enrolled full-time during the winter preceding the current award year are considered to be coming in from the labour market if they did not apply for student financial assistance for the previous year and received benefits under the Act respecting employment insurance. These students will be considered to be coming in from the labour market only if they submit a request to AFE to this end once their bursary amount has been determined. 4.2 Parents If you fall into the category with a parental contribution, your parents are expected to contribute toward the cost of your education according to their financial resources. The amount of this contribution is usually based on the financial resources of both parents. In cases where the parents no longer live together and a court has ruled on child custody or the payment of support, only the custodial parent s financial resources will be taken into account. When the separation or divorce judgment does not specify who has custody of the student, only the income of the parent who is not required to make support payments for the student will be taken into account. When no legal document contains instructions regarding custody of the student or support payments, both parents incomes are taken into account. In the case of a student who has a sponsor, the contribution is calculated on the basis of the sponsor s financial resources only, in the same way as the parental contribution. When former recipients of employment assistance benefits apply for assistance under the Loans and Bursaries Program, their entire income is taken into account, excluding the benefits received. 22

27 Financial Resources The parents financial resources are defined as the gross income for the calendar year preceding the award year. The amount of the student loan is assessed by taking into account the parents financial resources only. The amount of the bursary (if any) is determined on the basis of the parents financial resources and net assets. Gross income includes: gross income reported in the income tax return for the calendar year preceding the award year Québec family allowances, except allowances for young children, additional allowances for handicapped children, and allowances for newborn children amounts received under the Children s Special Allowances Act and child tax benefits veterans pensions amounts received under the housing allowances for the elderly program (Programme d allocation-logement pour les personnes âgées) amounts received under the property tax refund program (Programme de remboursement d impôts fonciers) benefits from a strike fund income replacement benefits received under a health, accident, disability or income insurance plan to which the employer does not contribute Net assets include: cash in bank accounts investments (excluding RRSPs) holdings in a private company, family business or partnership the main residence, the lot and any other land and buildings Liabilities, such as the outstanding balance of loans and mortgages, accounts payable, income taxes and other debts, are subtracted from assets. Parents with Business Income The net assets of parents with business income include: land and building value according to municipal assessment furniture, equipment and machinery investments and corporate capital the quota cattle, poultry and all other animals agricultural implements and equipment and fishing boats and equipment (book value) Debts (i.e. the balance of loans and mortgages, accounts payable, and amounts owing on furniture, equipment and machinery) are subtracted from assets. If, during the current award year, your parents income dropped 10% or more compared with the previous calendar year, the expected contribution is assessed on the basis of the income for the current year. This will be done only if you report this change in your circumstances to AFE. Contribution The parental contribution is calculated by taking the parents gross income and deducting certain amounts from it, such as the family support exemption, the exemption for each dependent child, and the exemption for the second working parent. Family support EXEMPTIONS Parents living together $ Parents not living together $ Dependent children* First child $ Second child and subsequent children $ Additional exemption if the student applying for financial assistance has a major functional disability $ Second working parent 14% of income, up to $2 105 $ * Including the student who is applying for financial assistance and who has a sponsor. cash in bank accounts accounts receivable inventory (book value) 23

28 A progressive contribution rate is applied to the resulting amount, as follows: PARENTS CONTRIBUTION ACCORDING TO DISPOSABLE INCOME Disposable Income More than Up to Expected Contribution $ 0 $ % of disposable income $ $ % on the first $8 000 and 19% of the remainder $ $ $6 840 on the first $ and 29% of the remainder $ $ $9 740 on the first $ and 39% of the remainder $ $ on the first $ and 49% of the remainder The resulting amount is divided by the number of children in the category of students with a parental contribution who are studying in a secondary school vocational education program or at the postsecondary level. Where applicable, this number will include sponsored students. In calculating the bursary, net assets are also considered. The parental contribution is set at 2% of net assets in excess of $90 000, or in excess of $ in the case of individuals whose main occupation is farming or fishing. If the parents are no longer living together but both their incomes are taken into account, both are granted the exemption for a person living alone. The amount of this exemption is deducted from their respective incomes. They are not, however, entitled to the exemption for the second working parent. When the parents are no longer living together and both parents incomes are considered because there is no court judgment regarding accessory measures and one parent receives support payments which are reported to the Ministère du Revenu, an adjustment is made so that the support payments are not included in the latter s income, given that the support payments are already considered in the assessment of the other parent s contribution. No parental contribution is expected in the case of a student whose family situation has deteriorated (see Part II) or in the case of a student who is a permanent resident or a naturalized Canadian citizen, who does not have a sponsor and whose parents do not reside in Canada. Additional Information If the student s parents are no longer living together and there is no court judgment regarding accessory measures, both parents incomes are taken into account. If the father or mother has been granted custody of the student, only the custodial parent s income is taken into account. If the parents have shared custody of the student, both parents incomes are taken into account. If one of the parents must pay support for a child and makes the support payments to the other parent, the income taken into account is that of the parent receiving support. If the parent makes the support payments to the student, the income taken into account is that of the parent not required to pay support to the student. The support payments are added to the student s income. If the other parent has custody of the student, custody is always considered before the payment of support. In such cases, the income taken into account is that of the parent who has custody of the student. If both parents have legal custody but only one of them has physical custody of the student, the income taken into account is that of the parent who has physical custody of the student. When separated or divorced parents are required to maintain their children, this usually means they must pay support either in one lump sum or in the form of payments. Parents duty to maintain their children refers to their responsibility to feed and clothe them, ensure that they receive appropriate medical care, etc. 4.3 Spouse The spouse s contribution will vary according to whether or not the spouse was or was deemed a full-time student during the winter term preceding the award year. The spouse is deemed a full-time student during the winter term if he or she meets the program eligibility requirements in this regard. 24

29 Financial Resources Working Spouse If your spouse is working, his or her income for the calendar year (January 1 to December 31) preceding the award year includes: gross income within the meaning of the Taxation Act veterans pensions funds received under the housing allowances program (Programme d allocation-logement) funds received under the property tax refund program (Programme de remboursement d impôts fonciers) benefits from a strike fund income replacement benefits received under a health, accident, disability or income insurance plan to which the employer does not contribute Studying Spouse If your spouse is a student, when your application for financial assistance is first processed, his or her contribution is calculated on the basis of his or her foreseeable income (an amount determined according to his or her activities during the winter term preceding your application). His or her other income and 100% of bursary or scholarship income in excess of $5 000 received between January 1 and December 31 are also taken into account. Foreseeable Income Coming in from the secondary level $1 175 Coming in from college $2 805 Coming in from university or returning to school $4 425 If your spouse is a student, when your declaration of actual situation is processed, his or her contribution is assessed on the basis of his or her actual employment income (rather than foreseeable income) and other income, including 100% of bursary or scholarship income in excess of $ SPOUSE S CONTRIBUTION ACCORDING TO DISPOSABLE INCOME Disposable Income More than Up to Expected Contribution $ 0 $ % of disposable income $ $ % on the first $8 000 and 19% of the remainder $ $ $6 840 on the first $ and 29% of the remainder $ $ $9 740 on the first $ and 39% of the remainder $ $ on the first $ and 49% of the remainder The resulting amount is divided by the number of children who are attending a secondary school vocational education program or postsecondary level program or, in the case of children with a major functional disability, who are deemed to be attending such programs while receiving a parental contribution, adding to this number the student who is applying for financial assistance. The types of income taken into account in assessing the contribution of the spouse are the same as those taken into account in the case of a single student. If, during the award year, your working spouse s income dropped 10% or more compared with the previous year, the expected contribution is assessed on the basis of the income for the current year. This will be done only if you report this change in your circumstances to AFE. Income earned as an election officer is not considered part of the spouse s financial resources. A spousal contribution is not expected in the case of students who are permanent residents or naturalized Canadian citizens and whose spouse lives outside Canada. Contribution The contribution expected of your spouse is determined by subtracting $ (the basic exemption for a spouse) and, where applicable, the $2 200 exemption for students with major functional disabilities, from the income taken into account. A progressive contribution rate is then applied to the resulting amount. 25

30 5 Assessment of Financial Assistance Awards The amount of financial assistance you are entitled to is assessed on the basis of your allowable expenses and the expected contributions. Financial assistance is initially granted in the form of a loan. If the maximum loan does not cover the difference between your expenses and the contributions expected in your case, you may receive additional assistance in the form of a bursary, provided the educational institution you are attending is designated for loans and bursaries. If it is not, you may qualify for additional assistance in the form of a loan. Financial assistance is usually calculated on a per-year basis. However, it will be calculated on a per-term basis if you change student categories, qualify for financial assistance, or study full-time or are deemed to study full-time only for one or two terms (summer and fall), or if you transfer to a different type of educational institution. It will also be calculated on a per-term basis if you can show that your parents status has changed, the agreement regarding your custody has changed, or you are no longer your sponsor s dependant. Students with major functional disabilities receive financial assistance in the form of bursaries only. An advance loan will be issued at the time of application to students who are in a situation which may lead to total destitution. This is generally the case of employment assistance recipients who are returning to school. These students are automatically issued an advance loan even if further information is required in order to assess their application for financial assistance. Single students receive an advance loan of $500; students with children receive $775. When students are entitled to an amount to cover the compulsory fees charged by their educational institution, this amount is issued following the second assessment (i.e. the one generally made to determine whether the student is entitled to a bursary). No more than $6 000 is allowed per term for these fees. The amount allowed is added to the maximum loan amount. Your loan is calculated by subtracting your student contribution from your allowable expenses. This is the first portion of the loan (up to $1 000 if you are a secondary school vocational education or college student or $2 400 if you are a university student). The second portion of the loan is calculated by subtracting your student contribution, the parental or spousal contribution, if any, and the first portion of the loan, from your allowable expenses. The total amount of the loan is equal to both portions added together. This amount may not exceed the maximum loan nor the balance remaining before you reach the student loan debt limit. 1st portion = allowable expenses student contribution 2nd portion = allowable expenses student contribution parental or spousal contribution 1st portion of loan Loan award = 1st portion + 2nd portion Examples Appendix 3 gives four examples which illustrate how loans are calculated in the case of college students. University students need simply replace the maximum loan awarded to college students with that awarded to students in bachelor s programs. The amount of the first portion of the loan and the maximum loan vary according to the level of education, the type of degree (bachelor s, master s or doctorate), and the type of educational institution. Where applicable, the maximum loan is reduced by the amount of the parental or spousal contribution in excess of the student s allowable expenses. If you are enrolled in a program recognized for loans only, the most you may be awarded the first time your file is assessed (i.e. on the basis of your application for financial assistance) is the maximum loan for one term of study. The second time your file is assessed (i.e. on the basis of your declaration of actual situation), any additional amount for which you qualify will again be calculated using the maximum loan for one term of study. If you were not awarded the maximum loan for your level of education, type of degree or program of study, you may request that your loan be reassessed based on your declaration of actual situation. 5.1 Loans The first time AFE processes your file to determine whether you are entitled to a student loan, it makes certain assumptions based on the information provided in your application. 26

31 5.2 Bursaries Bursaries are calculated as follows: Bursary = Allowable expenses student contribution or parental or spousal contribution maximum loan It should be noted that parents net assets are taken into account in calculating the amount of bursaries. If you are attending an educational institution designated for both loans and bursaries and you were awarded the maximum loan but it does not cover all of your allowable expenses, you qualify for a bursary. 5.3 Maximum Award Amounts EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS DESIGNATED FOR LOANS AND BURSARIES Maximum Loan Subsidized secondary-level educational institutions (vocational education) $ $ Maximum Bursary Nonsubsidized secondary-level educational institutions (vocational education) $ plus compulsory tuition and registration fees (up to $6 000 per term) $ Subsidized public colleges 3 $ $ Subsidized private colleges and École nationale $ plus compulsory tuition and de police du Québec registration fees $ Private colleges subsidized only by the Ministère de la Culture et des Communications $ plus compulsory tuition and registration fees (up to $6 000 per term) $ Universities 4 Bachelor s programs $2 460 $ Master s and doctoral programs $3 255 (also for students who obtained a bachelor s degree or the equivalent outside Québec) 1 child N/A $ children N/A $ or more children N/A $ EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS DESIGNATED FOR LOANS ONLY Public and private colleges Nonsubsidized programs, including self-financed programs in public colleges $3 100 (per term) N/A Programs at educational institutions outside the province that are designated for loans only $3 100 (per term) N/A 1. Students starting a secondary school vocational education program, an apprenticeship program or a college program leading to an ACS in the winter term will receive half of the maximum loan during the current award year and the other half during the following award year. 2. The maximum bursary increases according to the number of dependent children the student has. 3. Includes college-level programs offered at the National Theatre School of Canada and at the Conservatoire de musique et d art dramatique du Québec. 4. Includes programs offered at the Conservatoire de musique et d art dramatique du Québec and the École du Barreau du Québec. 27

32 6 Deadlines and Terms and Conditions of Payment There are a certain number of administrative rules with which you must comply. These have to do with deadlines for submitting documents, changes in your circumstances during the year, and the terms and conditions of payment of financial assistance. 6.1 Deadlines No applications for financial assistance will be accepted after March 31 of the current award year, nor will any documents unless they are requested by AFE, in which case they must be sent within 45 days of the request notice. Documents will be accepted after the deadline only if the student can provide satisfactory proof that he or she was unable to submit them in time due to circumstances beyond his or her control. 6.2 Changes During the Year Your circumstances or that of your parents or spouse may change over the course of the year. Since these changes are likely to affect the amount of financial assistance you are entitled to, you must report all of them to AFE. Barring exceptions, any change that occurs between the dates given below is considered to have taken place in the term mentioned: Date of Change Between April 1 and July 30 Between August 1 and November 30 Between December 1 and March 31 Corresponding Term Summer Fall Winter Certain changes, such as a drop of 10% or more in the parents or spouse s income, are considered for the whole year, and not only for the term during which they occurred. A student who withdraws from full-time postsecondary studies at the beginning of a term is no longer considered a student as of that term, unless otherwise indicated. If the student withdraws during the term, he or she is allowed living expenses for the weeks of study recognized. For the remaining weeks in the term, he or she is considered as neither studying nor working. He or she is also allowed childcare expenses for the number of weeks recognized. A student who withdraws from one or more courses after the cancellation and withdrawal dates, when these dates coincide, is considered a full-time student for the term concerned. No adjustment is made to the amount of financial assistance awarded, except for the repayment of part of the educational expenses, if applicable. When there are no predetermined cancellation and withdrawal dates at the institution, the student is considered to have withdrawn at the beginning of the term if he or she stops studying full-time within the first four weeks of the term. A student who stops studying full-time between the fifth and eighth week of the term is considered to have withdrawn during the term. A secondary school vocational education student who stops studying full-time within the first four weeks of his or her first term is considered to have withdrawn at the beginning of the term. The same is true for a student who, in subsequent terms, is no longer studying full-time on the date set for the payment of his or her financial assistance. A student who stops studying full-time between the fifth and eighth week of the term is considered to have withdrawn during the term. In subsequent terms, if the student is not studying full-time on the date set for the payment of his or her financial assistance, he or she is not entitled to the anticipated installment. The installment is cancelled and the corresponding amount will be deducted from the student s allowable expenses. Concerning the previous cases, a student is not considered to have withdrawn if he or she is deemed to be studying full-time (see Section 1.4). Nevertheless, a secondary school vocational education student must still be pursuing studies on the date set for payment of his or her financial assistance. A student who withdraws after the cancellation date for medical reasons is allowed living expenses corresponding to those of a person pursuing studies until the date when the disability begins. For the following weeks, he or she is allowed living expenses corresponding to those of a person who is neither studying nor working. The recognized place of residence is the one declared by the student, except in the case of the student with a parental contribution. In that case, the place of residence during the work period is taken into consideration. Students who do not study full-time for two consecutive terms become responsible for the interest on their student loans on the applicable interest assignment date (see Section 6.4). 28

33 6.3 Payment of Financial Assistance to Recipients Students receive any financial assistance awarded to them through their educational institution, which must first verify that they are full-time students. Students who are awarded loans and bursaries for a second consecutive year and who are enrolled full-time for the fall term are considered to have been enrolled full-time for the summer term if they have a child (their own) living with them or if their situation is likely to deteriorate into total destitution within the meaning of the Act respecting income support, employment assistance and social solidarity. This rule also applies to students who are 20 weeks pregnant or more. These students applications will be processed first so that funds may be available as soon as possible. The financial assistance installments are staggered to meet the needs of full-time students each term. The financial assistance award may also be paid in one, two or three installments over the award year up to the maximum loan. Any financial assistance awarded beyond the maximum loan is paid at the rate of two installments per term corresponding respectively to 55% and 45% of the amount in the case of secondary school vocational education students or students attending a nonsubsidized private college, and 65% and 35%, in the case of students attending a subsidized private college and university students. Schedule Based on Your Application for Financial Assistance A single loan certificate is issued if: your needs for your first term of full-time study are greater than the maximum loan awarded for your level of studies you are entitled to an overall amount of less than $1 200 Otherwise, your loan will be paid in installments. The number of installments will vary according to the numbers of terms covered and your needs for each term. However, if your first term is the fall term, the amount of your first installment will take into account your needs for both the summer and fall. Compulsory fees charged by the educational institution are not taken into account at this stage. In the case of students attending an institution designated for loans only, the amount of financial assistance awarded may not exceed the maximum loan for one term. Based on your Declaration of Actual Situation At this stage, the amount of your student loan may be adjusted to cover your real financial needs for the terms concerned according to a new payment schedule. It is at this stage that compulsory tuition and registration fees are taken into account, where applicable. If you are attending an institution designated for loans only, it is also at this stage that AFE will determine whether you qualify for the maximum loan awarded for each term of full-time study. If you are attending an institution designated for loans and bursaries and the maximum loan does not cover your needs, you will be awarded a bursary to meet the needs not covered by the loan. If the needs not covered by your student loan correspond to less than $600, however, the amount of additional assistance you are entitled to will be paid in one installment at the beginning of the term. The schedule for paying these installments is the following: Installment 00 End of April in the case of college and university students and mid-may in the case of secondary school vocational education students 01 Early June (issued in June but dated July) 02 End of July (issued in July but dated August) 03 Mid-October 04 Early December (issued in December but dated January) 05 Mid-February in the case of college and university students and early March in the case of secondary school vocational education students The number of installments will vary according to the number of terms during which you will be studying full-time and your needs for each term, up to a maximum of six installments. Installments 00 and 01 are paid to students who are pursuing or are deemed to be pursuing full-time studies during the summer term. Installments 02 and 03 are paid to students who are pursuing or are deemed to be pursuing full-time studies during the fall term. In the case of students beginning their studies in the fall, these installments also cover their needs for the summer term. 29

34 Installments 04 and 05 are paid to students who are pursuing or are deemed to be pursuing full-time studies during the winter term. In the case of students enrolled full-time for the summer and winter terms only, these installments also cover their needs for the fall term. Terms and Conditions The educational institution releases financial assistance installments or more specifically, loan certificates or bursary cheques, to students according to the following terms and conditions: Installment 00 is released if the student is enrolled fulltime or is deemed to be enrolled full-time at the beginning of the summer term. It is also released if the student is not pursuing studies but is deemed enrolled for that term. Installment 00 may be released to a secondary school vocational education student as of July 1 or on the date scheduled by the educational institution. Installment 01 is released if the student is enrolled fulltime or is deemed to be enrolled full-time for the summer term or is pursuing studies after the withdrawal date for that term. Installment 01 may also be released if the amount of the installment is adjusted to take into account his or her withdrawal, or if the student is not pursuing studies but is deemed enrolled for that term. The installment may be released to a secondary school vocational education student as of August 1. Installment 02 is released if the student is enrolled fulltime or is deemed to be enrolled full-time at the beginning of the fall term. In the case of a student who was enrolled for the summer but did not qualify for installment 01, installment 02 may be released to him or her if he or she was pursuing or was deemed to be pursuing full-time studies after the withdrawal date for the summer term or if the amount of the installment was adjusted to take into account his or her withdrawal. The installment may be released to a secondary school vocational education student as of September 1. Installment 03 is released if the student is pursuing or is deemed to be pursuing full-time studies during the fall term or if he or she is pursuing studies after the withdrawal date for that term. The instalment may also be released if the amount of the installment was adjusted to take into account his or her withdrawal. It may be released to a secondary school vocational education student as of November 3. Installment 04 is released at the beginning of the winter term if the student is pursuing or is deemed to be pursuing full-time studies and is enrolled for the winter term. In the case of a student enrolled for the fall term who did not qualify for installment 03, installment 04 may released to him or her if he or she was pursuing or was deemed to be pursuing full-time studies after the withdrawal date for the fall term, or if the amount of the installment was adjusted to take into account his or her withdrawal. Installment 04 may be released to a secondary school vocational education student as of January 6, provided he or she is enrolled full-time on that date and the winter term is not his or her first term of study. Installment 05 is released if the student is pursuing or is deemed to be pursuing full-time studies during the winter term or if he or she is pursuing studies after the withdrawal date for that term. Installment 05 may also be released if the amount of the installment was adjusted to take into account his or her withdrawal. If the winter term is not the student s first term of study in a secondary school vocational education program, installment 05 may be released as of March 19, provided the student is still enrolled fulltime on that date. Otherwise, the educational institution must follow the rule requiring that the student s status be verified on the fourth and eighth weeks of study. If the date indicated does not fall on a working day, the installment may be released to students the previous working day. In the case of students with major functional disabilities, loans are converted into bursaries and are paid according to the same schedule and rules as for loans. In the case of students who no longer qualify for bursaries because they have used up their terms of eligibility, the bursary amount they would have been entitled to is converted into a loan and paid according to the same schedule and rules as for bursaries. In the case of students enrolled in educational institutions designated for loans only, the entire amount of the loan is paid in one installment each term. The amount awarded covers the students needs for the term, up to the maximum loan awarded per term. The full amount of the loan must be paid before the bursary can be issued. This rule does not apply to the portion of the loan which covers compulsory fees. This portion of the loan is issued each term. 30

35 No loans are awarded for amounts under $100. No bursaries are awarded for amounts under $25. If an installment is due for an amount under $100 in the case of a loan and under $25 in the case of a bursary, the amount will be added to the previous or following installment, if any. If no further installments are to be paid to the student, an installment will be issued only if the amount due is a bursary. Following the reassessment of a student s financial assistance award, a new schedule is established for the payment of the installments. This new schedule takes into account any amounts of financial assistance already paid to the student, regardless of the term for which they were issued. In the case of students enrolled at an educational institution outside Canada that is designated for loans only, the MEQ forwards the financial assistance installments directly to the student. The first loan certificate is issued on the basis of the student s application for financial assistance. The second loan certificate is issued to the student only once he or she has provided written confirmation that the educational institution admitted him or her as a full-time student. Administrative Error Students will no longer be required to repay bursary overpayments that are due to an administrative error they could not have reasonably been expected to detect. This applies to bursary overpayments pertaining to the and subsequent award years. 6.4 Assignment of Interest and Repayment of Student Loan Debt You are exempted from paying the interest on the principal loaned by the financial institution until the end of the additional period in the case of the Loans and Bursaries Program and in the case of the Loans Program for Part-Time Studies. From that date until the date on which you must start repaying your student loan debt, you are responsible for the interest charges. Furthermore, the interest charges may be capitalized, i.e. converted into principal and added to your outstanding debt. Date of Assignment of Interest 1 Starting Date of Repayment (Principal and Interest) 2 June 1 December 1 Students who complete their full-time 3 college or university studies or withdraw during or at the end of the previous winter term July 1 January 1 Students who complete their full-time 3 secondary vocational studies or withdraw during or at the end of the previous winter term September 1 March 1 Students who complete their full-time 3 secondary vocational, college or university studies or withdraw during or at the end of the previous summer term January 1 July 1 Students who complete their full-time 3 secondary vocational, college or university studies or withdraw during or at the end of the previous fall term 1. The interest accrued on this date may be capitalized. However, students may also start making payments on both the principal and interest as of this date. 2. A provincial and federal tax credit may be claimed for interest paid on student loans. 3. The same rules apply to students who, for the term in question, meet the criteria that allow them be deemed full-time students. 31

36 6.5 Repayment Postponement The following students may postpone the repayment of their student loan debt during a temporary interruption of their full-time studies: pregnant students students who are adopting a child students giving birth to a child or whose spouse is giving birth to a child students who are disabled for more than one month as confirmed in a medical certificate issued by a doctor students elected as executive officers within an organization consisting of student associations Generally, these students are exempted from their obligation to pay the interest on their student loans for the term in which the event takes place and the following term. In the case of a pregnant student, this exemption period is extended to include the term following that in which she gave birth to her child. In the case of students serving as elected executive officers within a provincewide student association, the exemption applies only to the term served. In all cases, the exemption never expires on a date corresponding to the summer term. To qualify for a repayment postponement, the applicant must be studying full-time or be deemed to be studying full-time during the term in which the event occurs or the previous term. However, if the term in which the event occurs is the fall term, the applicant will qualify for a postponement only if he or she was or was deemed to be a full-time student during the previous winter term. 32

37 PART II Exceptional Cases The first part of this brochure presented the rules that apply to the majority of cases. However, some applications cannot be processed according to the usual rules. These exceptional cases are dealt with in this second part, which also explains the procedures for appealing decisions and requesting reviews. 7.3 Students Whose Family Situation Has Deteriorated If your family situation has deteriorated (as the result of alcoholism, incest, violence or a serious misunderstanding, for example) to such a point that you are forced to leave home, you will be considered not to be living with your parents. If, in addition to this, you must cease all communication with one of your parents, no contribution will be expected from him or her. 7 Exceptional Family Situations 7.4 Students Whose Parents or Spouse Cannot Be Located If your parents or spouse cannot be located and his or her place of work or residence is unknown, the rule regarding expected contributions will not be applied in your case. In some cases, the student or the persons expected to contribute toward the cost of the student s education experience difficulties which warrant special consideration. For an application to be processed as an exceptional case, the student must complete a Declaration of Exceptional Family Situation form and send it to AFE. 7.1 Students Placed in a Foster Home or Youth Protection Centre If you were placed in a foster home or reception centre in accordance with the Youth Protection Act, the Act respecting health services and social services or the Young Offenders Act, you will be considered not to be living with your parents, except during the summer preceding the beginning of your vocational secondary studies or postsecondary studies or during those terms when you were placed under the care of a child and youth protection centre. In exceptional circumstances resulting from a court decision, you may be placed under the care of a centre during your studies. In this case, you are considered to be residing with your parents for the time you are in this situation and no contribution is expected from your parents. 7.2 Students Placed in the Custody of a Guardian If you were placed in the custody of a guardian but were not legally adopted by him or her, you are considered not to be living with your parents and no contribution is expected from your guardian or from your parents. 7.5 Students Whose Parents (or Custodial Parent) Live in a Protected Residence If your parents (or your custodial parent) live in a reception or rehabilitation centre, residential and long-term care centre, hospital or correctional institution, and you cannot live with them, you will be considered not to be living with your parents for the duration of this situation. 7.6 Students in a Halfway House If you are in a halfway house, you are considered to be living with your parents. 8 Eye Glasses and Contact Lenses If you qualify for a bursary of $25 or more, you may also qualify for the reimbursement of the cost of eye glasses or contact lenses, including the optometrist s fees for an eye examination. The eye glasses or contact lenses must be prescribed by an optometrist or a doctor. 33

38 The maximum reimbursement is $185 per person every two years. You may claim this amount for yourself and for any children who are living with you. The two years referred to above must be two consecutive award years. You may claim a reimbursement several times within this two-year period, up to the maximum amount allowed per person. You must file your claim with AFE by March 31 of the award year concerned. If you purchase your eye glasses or contact lenses in March or April, you must file your claim within 45 days of the purchase date. If you are a secondary school vocational education student, you are entitled to an extension for purchases made in March, April, May or June. You must file your claim within 45 days of the purchase date. 9 Major Functional Disabilities Like other applicants, students with major functional disabilities may apply for financial assistance under the Loans and Bursaries Program if they do not have sufficient financial resources to study in a secondary school vocational education, college or university program. The term students with major functional disabilities refers to individuals whose severe visual impairment, severe hearing impairment or motor or organic impairment significantly and persistently limits their ability to carry out daily activities and also limits their prospects for study and employment. 9.1 Special Conditions Certain provisions of the Loans and Bursaries Program are intended specifically for students with major functional disabilities who must study part-time because of their disabilities. These students must meet one of the following requirements: meet the requirements of the educational institution if they are enrolled at the master s or doctoral level or attend an educational institution outside the province Students with disabilities who are studying part-time must send their receipts for compulsory fees to AFE. Allowable expenses for textbooks and supplies will be determined on the basis of the number of courses taken, the number of hours or credits, the level of education and the educational institution. No minimum contribution is required in the case of students with major functional disabilities. All financial assistance is awarded in the form of a bursary. Students may receive a bursary for the maximum number of terms of eligibility at each level of education. In the case of students who are studying part-time but are deemed to be studying full-time (see Section 1.4), the number of terms of study are determined on the basis of the number of hours, credits or courses taken. 9.2 Procedure If you have a major functional disability, you must attach a Medical Certificate: Major Functional Disabilities form duly completed by a doctor or a therapist specialized in a field related to your disability. You need to submit this form once only. Under the Loans and Bursaries Program, AFE offers an allowance program for students with major functional disabilities. Under this program, these students may be reimbursed for equipment purchased to compensate for the effects of their disabilities, for the cost of specialized services they need in class, or for paratransit. Students must submit an Application for an Allowance for Special Needs form, duly completed by the appropriate persons. be enrolled in a secondary school vocational education program for a total of at least 76 hours (periods) or 6 credits per term be enrolled in a college program for a total of at least 76 hours (periods) or two courses per term be enrolled in a bachelor s program for a total of 6 to 11 credits per term 34

39 10 Appeals A number of means of appeal are available to you if you are not fully satisfied with the way in which your application was processed. Depending on your particular case, you may report a change in your circumstances, request a review, file an application with the Examination Committee for Exceptional Cases, or file a complaint Changes If an administrative error was made in processing your file, or if you wish to report a change in your circumstances, you may file a declaration of change. This is what you must do if, for example, there has been a change in your general or family situation, you are transferring to another educational institution or program, or you are withdrawing from some or all of your courses. You should, however, first consult the person in charge of financial assistance at your educational institution or AFE s reception and inquiries desk, the Service de l accueil et des renseignements. You have until March 31 of the award year concerned to report any change in your circumstances. If you cannot meet this deadline because of circumstances beyond your control, you must report the change within 45 days of its occurrence or of the date of the notice containing the decision you wish to appeal Exceptional Cases If your studies are in jeopardy because of an event or a situation not covered in the rules for awarding loans and bursaries, you may file an application with the Examination Committee for Exceptional Cases. It will study your case and make a recommendation to the Minister of Education, whose decision will be final. The committee is made up of students, personnel from educational institutions, and representatives of socioeconomic partners. The Examination Committee for Exceptional Cases examines applications from: eligible students who feel they were awarded insufficient financial assistance in light of an exceptional situation students deemed ineligible because they have received financial assistance for more than the maximum number of terms allowed for their particular program or level of studies or because they have reached the student loan debt limit The student must consult the personnel from the financial assistance office of his or her educational institution beforehand, as they will help in preparing the application Complaints Students may file a complaint at any time if they are not fully satisfied with the service they received from AFE. All complaints must be made in writing to AFE s appeals unit, the Unité des droits de recours Reviews If you feel that the rules of the Loans and Bursaries Program were not properly applied in your case, you may request that your file be reviewed. To do so, you must forward an application to the Review Bureau within 30 days of the date of the notice containing the decision you wish to appeal. Before you do this, however, AFE recommends that you speak with the person in charge of financial assistance at your educational institution in order to get an initial assessment of the situation. 35

40 APPENDIX 1 Permanent Resident Categories as They Apply to Students A) With a Sponsor Contribution 31, 31.1.E (31, 31.1.E) Sponsored 32 (32) Independent 32.1.A, 32.1.F (32.1.A, 32.1.F) 32R (32R) Child of an independent applicant Independent refugee or designated class 33 (33) Designated by name (assisted relative) LC1 (AF1) LC1 (AF1) LC2 (AF2) DC2C (CD2C) DC2D (CD2D) DC2E (CD2E) DC2F (CD2F) DC2G (CD2G) DC6 (CD6) FC2 (CF2) FC4 (CF4) FC5 (CF5) FC6 (CF6) FC7 (CF7) FC8 (CF8) FC9 (CF9) PD1 (DN1) AR2 (PA2) AR3 (PA3) AR5 (PA5) CR2 (RC2) CR2E (RC2E) CR2F (RC2F) Dependant residing in Canada of a live-in caregiver residing in Canada [the code used is LCIA (AF1A)] Live-in caregiver residing in Québec [the code used is LC1S (AF1S)] Dependant residing abroad of a live-in caregiver residing in Canada Designated class declared eligible by the Canadian government, sponsored by a relative (uncle, aunt, nephew, niece) in Canada with an approved IMM 1198 or IMM 1344 form (5 years) Designated class declared eligible by the Canadian government, sponsored by a relative (father, mother, brother, sister, spouse) in Canada with an approved IMM 1198 or IMM 1344 form (10 years) Spouse Parents, grandparents Unmarried person under 19 years of age: nephew, niece, brother, sister, son, daughter, orphaned grandson, orphaned granddaughter* or until of full age Designated class, dependent upon a refugee sponsor Family class, fiancé(e) Family class, all parents and grandparents Family class, orphaned brother/sister/nephew/niece/grandchild Family class, child to be adopted Family class, other relative Family class, sponsored by a son or a daughter who is a Canadian citizen (replaced by FC4) Family class, child adopted by a Canadian citizen or permanent resident Dependant residing in Canada of a member of the post-determination refugee claimant in Canada class residing in Canada Assisted by grandchild Assisted by son or daughter Unmarried person under 21 assisted by aunt or uncle Convention refugee, applicant undertaking on file as assisted relatives or family class Convention refugee, spouse Convention refugee, parents, grandparents 36

41 CR2G (RC2G) CR6 (RC6) CR7 (RC7) R2 (R2) Convention refugee, unmarried person under 19 years of age: nephew, niece, brother, sister, son, daughter, orphaned grandson, orphaned granddaughter* or until of full age Convention refugee dependent on a sponsor refugee Person residing outside Canada dependent on sponsors with convention refugee status Convention refugee sponsored by an individual B) Without a Sponsor Contribution DC1 (CD1) DC3 (CD3) DC4 (CD4) DC4 (CD4) DC5 (CD5) DC8 (CD8) FC1 (CF1) FC3 (CF3) PD1 (DN1) PD2 (DN2) ENT, EN2 (ENT, EN2) IND2 (IND2) IND3 (IND3) RM1 (MR1)* RM2 (MR2)* ND, IND, IND1, IND2 (ND, IND, IND1, IND2) ND3 (ND3) NV1 (NV1) NV2 (NV2) NV3 (NV3) NV4 (NV4) NV5 (NV5) AR1 (PA1) AR4 (PA4) AR6 (PA6) AR7 (PA7) PV2 (PV2) Designated class, government assistance required Designated class sponsored by a group or corporation Designated class, self-supporting, government assistance not required (for IMM 1000s issued before 1987) Designated class, unaccompanied minor entrusted to foster parents until 18 years of age Designated class selected under joint assistance sponsorship Refugee claimants, designated class, backlog complaints Family class, spouse Family class, son/daughter Member of the post-determination refugee claimant class and dependants residing in Canada [the code used is PD1A (DN1S)] Dependant of a member of the post-determination refugee claimant in Canada class residing abroad Entrepreneur Spouse of independent Person dependent on principal applicant Member of the deferred removal order class and dependants residing in Canada Dependent of a member of the deferred removal order class residing abroad Applicant, other independent immigrants Applicant with relative in Canada Individual investor in a private business commercial venture/individual applicant Investor in a private business commercial venture/multiple applicants Investor in a privately administered investment syndicate Investor in government-administered capital venture funds Investor Assisted by brother or sister Asssisted by son or daughter Married person over 21 years of age assisted by aunt, uncle, nephew, niece, or grandparent(s) Other assisted relative Provincial nominee processed abroad 37

42 RA3 (RA3) 1 RA4 (RA4) 1 RA5 (RA5) 1 RAX (RAX) 1 CRX (RCX) CR1 (RC1) CR3 (RC3) CR4 (RC4) CR5 (RC5) CR8 (RC8) DR1 (RD1) DR2 (RD2) RET, RE2 (RET, RE2) RS1 (RS1) 2 RS3 (RS3) 2 RS4 (RS4) 2 RS5 (RS5) 2 RSX (RSX) 2 R1 (R1) R3 (R3) R4 (R4) R5 (R5) SE, SE2 (TA, TA2) Sponsored by group of five or corporation for 12 months Self-supporting, government assistance not required Special needs case selected under joint assistance sponsorship on an exceptional basis Sponsored by group or corporation for 12 to 24 months Sponsored by group or corporation for 12 to 24 months, convention refugee Convention refugee, government assistance required Convention refugee, sponsored by group of five or corporation for 12 months Convention refugee, self-supporting, government assistance not required Convention refugee, special needs case under joint assistance sponsorship Convention refugees and their dependants who are recognized as Convention refugees in their own right by the IRB Dependent of a CR8 refugee residing in Canada and determined to not be a convention refugee Dependant residing abroad of a refugee residing abroad and determined to not be a convention refugee Retired Government assistance not required Sponsored by group of five or corporation for 12 months Self-supporting, government assistance not required Special needs case selected under joint assistance sponsorship Sponsored by group or corporation for 12 to 24 months Independent convention refugee Convention refugee sponsored by a group, a province or a Canadian organization (For IMM 1000s issued before 1987) Convention refugee, unaccompanied minor entrusted to foster parents until 18 years of age Convention refugee selected under the Handicapped Refugee Program Self-employed * Applicant who was refused status a long time ago but who is still living in Canada. 1. Asylum country 2. Source country (Source: Citizenship and Immigration Canada) 38

43 APPENDIX 2 Additional Weeks of Study ( Award Year) Institution Program Program Code Number of Weeks Campus All All 2 Notre-Dame-de-Foy Cégep de Baie-Comeau Aménagement Cégep de Chicoutimi Chicoutimi All All 1 St-Honoré Pilotage (years 1 to 3) Cégep de Drummondville All All 2 Cégep de la Gaspésie et des Îles Carleton All All 2 Grande-Rivière All All 2 Gaspé All All 2 Îes-de-la-Madeleine All All 2 Cégep de Lévis-Lauzon All All 2 Cégep de Matane All All 1 Cégep de Rimouski All All 1 Centre matapédien d études collégiales d Amqui All All 1 Cégep de Rivière-du-Loup All All 2 Cégep de Sainte-Foy All All 1 Danse interprétation 561.B0 or 561.BB 6 Cégep de Trois-Rivières All All 2 Cégep du Vieux Montréal Danse-Ballet Danse Interprétation/classique 561.BA 1 Danse Interprétation/contemporain 561.BB 1 Programmeur Internet LEA.OX 7 Science nature/sciences humaines Centre spécialisé des pêches Mécanique marine (secondary school vocational education) Conservatoire de musique et d art All Tous 4 dramatique du Québec: music conservatory (university level) Montréal Québec Trois-Rivières Hull Rimouski Chicoutimi Val-d Or 39

44 Additional Weeks of Study ( Award Year) (Cont.) Institution Program Program Code Number of Weeks Conservatoire de musique et d art dramatique du Québec: drama conservatory (university level) Montréal All All 5 Québec All All 3 École polytechnique All All 2 École supérieure de danse du Québec All All 7 Institut de technologie agroalimentaire de La Pocatière Technologie de productions animales 153.A0 2 Institut de technologie agroalimentaire de Saint-Hyacinthe Technologie de productions animales 153.A0 4 Technologie de la production horticole et de l environnement 153.B0 5 Lasalle College Intensive DCS Intensive ACS 571.6S 8 McGill University Physical and Occupational Therapy (undergraduate) Nursing (undergraduate) Université d Ottawa Médecine (level 11, level 12) Université de Moncton Sciences infirmières (undergraduate) Université de Montréal Nutrition (undergraduate) Médecine (undergraduate), years 1 to Médecine, year Médecine, preparatory year Médecine dentaire (undergraduate) Droit (undergraduate and graduate) Géographie (undergraduate) Ergothérapie, year Orthophonie et audiologie (undergraduate and graduate) Pharmacie (undergraduate) Physiothérapie (undergraduate) Campus de St-Hyacinthe Médecine vétérinaire All 3 Université de Sherbrooke Théologie Droit Sciences pures Sciences appliquées Éducation physique Administration Sciences de l éducation Université du Québec All All 1 en Abitibi-Témiscamingue Université Laval Pharmacie (undergraduate) Ergothérapie-physiothérapie (undergraduate) Nutrition (undergraduate)

45 APPENDIX 3 EXAMPLES OF LOAN ASSESSMENTS Example 1 In this case, the parental contribution is greater than the allowable expenses.* Allowable expenses: $7 000 Student contribution: $3 000 Parental contribution: $8 500 Assessment of Loan Maximum loan for college students: $2 005 Portion of parental contribution in excess of allowable expenses Parental contribution minus allowable expenses: $ $7 000 = $1 500 Maximum loan for this student Maximum loan for college students minus portion of parental contribution in excess of allowable expenses $ $1 500 = $ 505 Assessment of 1st Portion of Loan Student s allowable expenses: $7 000 Minus student contribution: $3 000 Assessed needs for 1st portion of loan: $4 000 Assistance award: (Maximum for $ 505 1st portion of loan: $1 000) Assessment of 2nd Portion of Loan Student s allowable expenses: $7 000 Minus Student contribution: $3 000 Parental contribution: $ st portion of loan: $ 505 Assessed needs for the 2nd portion of loan: $ 0 Assistance award: $ 0 (Maximum for 2nd portion of loan: $1 005) Total loan award: $ 505 Example 2 In this case, the parental contribution is greater than the allowable expenses.* Allowable expenses: $7 000 Student contribution: $3 000 Parental contribution: $7 500 Assessment of Loan Maximum loan for college students: $2 005 Portion of parental contribution in excess of allowable expenses Parental contribution minus allowable expenses: $ $7 000 = $ 500 Maximum loan for this student Maximum loan for college students minus portion of parental contribution in excess of allowable expenses $ $500 = $1 505 Assessment of 1st Portion of Loan Student s allowable expenses: $7 000 Minus student contribution: $3 000 Assessed needs for 1st portion of loan: $4 000 Assistance award: $1 000 (Maximum loan: $1 000) Assessment of 2nd Portion of Loan Student s allowable expenses: $7 000 Minus Student contribution: $3 000 Parental contribution: $ st portion of loan: $1 000 Total: $ 0 Assessed needs for 2nd portion of loan $ 0 Assistance award: $ 0 (Maximum for 2nd portion of loan: $1 005) Total loan award: $1 000 * In this situation, the maximum loan is lower than that set for the given level of education. 41

46 Example 3 In this case, the parental contribution is less than the allowable expenses. Allowable expenses: $7 000 Student contribution: $3 000 Parental contribution: $2 500 Assessment of Loan Maximum loan for college students: $2 005 Assessment of 1st Portion of Loan Student s allowable expenses: $7 000 Minus student contribution: $3 000 Assessed needs for 1st portion of loan: $4 000 Assistance award: $1 000 (Maximum for 1st portion of loan: $1 000) Assessment of 2nd Portion of Loan Student s allowable expenses: $7 000 Minus Student contribution: $3 000 Parental contribution: $ st portion of loan: $1 000 Total: $ 500 Assessed needs for 2nd portion of loan: $ 500 Assistance award: $ 500 (maximum for 2nd portion of loan: $1 005) Total loan award: $1 500 Example 4 In this case, the parental contribution is less than the allowable expenses. Allowable expenses: $7 000 Student contribution: $3 000 Parental contribution: $1 000 Assessment of Loan Maximum loan for college students: $2 005 Assessment of 1st Portion of Loan Student s allowable expenses: $7 000 Minus student contribution: $3 000 Assessed needs for 1st portion of loan: $4 000 Assistance award: $1 000 (Maximum for 1st portion of loan: $1 000) Assessment of 2nd Portion of Loan Student s allowable expenses: $7 000 Minus Student contribution: $3 000 Parental contribution: $ st portion of loan: $1 000 Total: $2 000 Assessed needs for 2nd portion of loan: $2 000 Assistance award: $1 005 (maximum for 2nd portion of loan: $1 005) Total loan award: $

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