Financing your Education

Student Loans

 

The Government of Canada and the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador work together to provide you with student financial assistance. With one application you will be assessed for both federal and provincial financial assistance.

Visit Student Aid NL and Government of Canada for information to help you plan for your post-secondary education.


Applying for a Student Loan

Online Application: Student Aid NL

Under “Your Account”, you will be required to create a Username & Password.

You Will Need:
  • Social Insurance Number.
  • Your income (and parental or spousal income, if applicable) from line 15000 of the prior years Income Tax Notice Assessment.
  • Students with Dependents require names, birth dates and Social Insurance Numbers. (not necessarily required)
  • Parents’ date of birth, Social Insurance Numbers and Postal Codes (for dependent students only).
  • Your employment/education history for the past five years.
  • Ensure you enter your full name as it appears on your Social Insurance Number (SIN) Card.
  • Provide complete mailing address – this is where we will send correspondence.
  • Provide email address that is frequently used.

Student Loan Application Must Include:

  • Application Form (online).
  • Income Confirmation Form (should be submitted the first day of class or no later than 8 weeks after. If you apply for a loan after classes begin, the Income Confirmation Form is not required).
  • If applying as a student with a permanent/persistent or prolonged disability, you must submit the Verification of Eligibility Form for Students with Disabilities, available at Student Aid NL
Depending on your current student status, there may be other forms and supporting documents required.

Note: Please keep copies of all documents that you submit to Student Aid.

Important Information

  • Online Applications are processed within 15 business days if all required forms and documentation has been received.
  • Deadline to apply – 8 weeks after the first day of classes.
  • You are encouraged to enroll in a 100% course load as this will provide maximum benefits for reducing your debt upon graduation (see website for Debt Reduction Grants).
  • Appeal deadline is 8 weeks prior to the period of student end date.

How to get your loan

In order to receive student loan/grant funding, new applicants requiring a Master Student Financial Assistance Agreement (MSFAA) will be required to follow an online process, it will generally take about 20 minutes to complete.
 
Within 1-2 business days from the date of receiving the Notice of Assessment, Student Aid NL will send students an email indicating the unique 10-digit MSFAA number required to be used during the online registratoin process has been uploaded to their online account. Students simply log in to their online account to obtain the MSFAA number. They will also receive an email from the National Student Loans Service Centre (NSLSC) with the subject line “Register now to set up your online account” including a link to begin the online process. Students are then ready to proceed with registering their MSFAA number.

Before proceeding with the online process, students must ensure they have the following information readily available:
  • Bank account information - including transit number, institution number and account number;
  • Social Insurance Number (SIN);
  • Unique 10 digit MSFAA number (located in your online Student Aid account once assessed); and
  • Date of Birth

The Registration process will need to be completed in one session. The process includes:
  • Linking into the NSLSC website and confirming identity;
  • Registering for an online NSLSC account, once identity has been confirmed; and
  • Completing the online MSFAA upon successfully registering for an online NSLSC account.


CONTACT INFORMATION for StudentAidNL:
 
Be sure to include your full name, date of birth and the last 3 digits of SIN when contacting StudentAidNL.

Questions: studentaidenquiry@gov.nl.ca
Document Submission:  studentaidmailbox@gov.nl.ca
 
Telephone: (709) 729-5849 or 1-888-657-0800
Fax: (709) 729-2298

Mailing:

StudentAidNL,
Department of Education, Box 8700
St. John’s, NL   A1B 4J6

Appeals

Students who believe that they have unusual or extenuating circumstances that were not considered in their initial application may request a review of their student loan award by an Appeals Officer. Students who find themselves in this position should submit a written request to StudentAidNL outlining their situation, and attach any supporting documentation available.

 

The Appeals Process
Complete and submit the applicable Appeal form to the StudentAidNL for review by the Appeals Officer:
It is important to include detailed information explaining your situation as well as supporting documentation.

The service standard for review is 14 business days from receipt of the completed Appeal Form. If more information is needed, the Appeals Officer will reach out to your directly.

 

Deadline
For semesters 12 weeks or greater, the deadline is eight weeks prior to the end of the period of study (semester) to which the appeal relates.
For semesters less than 12 weeks, the deadline is four weeks prior to the end of the period of study (semester) to which the appeal relates.

For more information, please see Appeals under Department of Education

Repayment

It is time to start repaying your loan when you:
  • have graduated from your studies;
  • have transferred to part time studies;
  • have left school; or
  • are taking time off school for more than six (6) months
For the first six (6) months after you leave school, you will not have to make payments to your Canada Student Loan or your Newfoundland & Labrador Student Loan. This is called your six (6) month non-repayment period or grace period. Canada Student Loans and Newfoundland & Labrador Student Loans are interest free.

Repayment - Did you know?
If you miss a scheduled student loan payment, your credit rating could be negatively affected. Don’t wait until it’s too late- help is available. The Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP) can help if you are having difficulty paying back your student loan. Call the National Student Loan Service Centre (NSLSC) at 1-888-815-4514 for more information. Sign up for an account on Government of Canada .

If you return to full time studies and do not apply for financial assistance, you must notify the NSLSC of your status by submitting a Confirmation of Enrollment (Schedule 2). This will allow the NSLSC to place you back into non-repayment status while in school. We suggest you sign up for an online account on Government of Canada . Government of Canada is the source for interactive information and tools designed to help you save, plan and pay for post-secondary education.

Defaulting on Loan Payments
If you were required to begin repaying a previous student loan and were not able to make the regular payments you could be in default. If you have defaulted on your student loan you will be ineligible for the Repayment Assistance Program (RAP) or to apply for additional loans until the defaulted payments have been paid, unless you are working to rehabilitate your loan to return to studies. For more information, please contact the institution’s administering your defaulted loan, or for provincial loans the please contact Student Aid NL to help you identify where your loan is located.

Campus Contacts

For Online Learning contacts, click here .
For our campus locations, or to contact one of our campuses directly please click here.
Bay St. George Campus
pointer Allison Lomond | Guidance Counsellor  | 709/643-7733  | allison.lomond@cna.nl.ca
pointer Bobbi-Jo Patey | Student Development Officer B  | 709/643-0000  | bobbi-jo.patey@cna.nl.ca
pointer Nichole Pickett | Guidance Counsellor  | 709/643-7816  | nichole.pickett@cna.nl.ca
pointer Vanessa Lee | Student Development Officer B  | 709/643-7822  | vanessa.lee@cna.nl.ca

Burin Campus
pointer Craig Wells | Guidance Counsellor  | 709/891-5623  | craig.wells@cna.nl.ca
pointer Elizabeth Parrott | Student Development Officer B  | 709/891-5609  | elizabeth.parrott@cna.nl.ca

Carbonear Campus
pointer Darrell Noel | Guidance Counsellor  | darrell.noel@cna.nl.ca
pointer Rebecca Parsons | Student Development Officer B  | 709/596-8921  | rebecca.parsons@cna.nl.ca
pointer Sandy Maher | Guidance Counsellor - Online  | 709/596-8940  | sandy.maher@cna.nl.ca

Clarenville Campus
pointer Lori Thornhill | Student Development Officer B  | 709/466-6945  | lori.thornhill@cna.nl.ca
pointer Suzanne Keeping | Guidance Counsellor - Online  | 709/466-6498  | suzanne.keeping@cna.nl.ca
pointer Tracy Holloway | Student Development Officer B (Online) | 709/466-6963  | tracy.holloway@cna.nl.ca
pointer Wendy Monk | Guidance Counsellor  | 709/227-6272  | wendy.monk@cna.nl.ca

Corner Brook Campus
pointer Ashley Christopher | Student Development Officer B  | 709/637-8595  | ashley.christopher@cna.nl.ca
pointer Deepti Mhaske | Student Development Officer B  | 709/637-8596  | deepti.mhaske@cna.nl.ca
pointer Jeffrey Patry | Guidance Counsellor  | 709/637-8586  | jeff.patry@cna.nl.ca
pointer Julia McDonald | Guidance Counsellor  | 709/637-8527  | julia.mcdonald@cna.nl.ca

Gander Campus
pointer Brittany Glover | Student Development Officer B  | 709/651-4819  | brittany.glover@cna.nl.ca
pointer David Alcock | Guidance Counsellor  | 709/651-4842  | david.alcock@cna.nl.ca

Grand Falls - Windsor Campus
pointer Gerald Warren | Guidance Counsellor  | 709/292-5624  | gerald.warren@cna.nl.ca
pointer Robert Hillier | Student Development Officer B  | 709/292-5647  | robert.hillier@cna.nl.ca

Happy Valley-Goose Bay Campus
pointer Lesley Tucker | Guidance Counsellor  | 709/207-1715  | lesley.tucker@cna.nl.ca
pointer Lorraine O'Leary | Student Development Officer B  | 709/896-8583  | lorraine.oleary@cna.nl.ca
pointer Yaniv Koblentz | Student Development Officer  | yaniv.koblentz@cna.nl.ca

Labrador West Campus
pointer Pamela Meaney-Pieroway | Guidance Counsellor  | 709/944-4189  | pamela.meaney-pieroway@cna.nl.ca

Placentia Campus
pointer Dorinda Blanche | Guidance Counsellor  | 709/227-6273  | dodie.blanche@cna.nl.ca
pointer Jennifer Richardson | Student Development Officer  | 709/227-6276  | 709/227-2037  | jennifer.richardson@cna.nl.ca
pointer Rose Power | Student Development Officer B  | 709/227-6264  | rose.power@cna.nl.ca

Port aux Basques Campus
pointer Samantha Allen | Student Development Officer B  | samantha.allen@cna.nl.ca

Prince Philip Drive Campus
pointer Amanda Kinsman | Student Development Officer B  | 709/758-7636  | amanda.kinsman@cna.nl.ca
pointer Bertha Tobin | Guidance Counsellor  | 709/758-7136  | bertha.tobin@cna.nl.ca
pointer Curtis Parsons | Student Development Officer  | 709/758-7291  | curtis.parsons@cna.nl.ca
pointer David Kenny | Student Development Officer B  | 709/758-7247  | david.kenny@cna.nl.ca
pointer Frank Williams | Guidance Counsellor - Online  | 709 758 7455  | frank.williams@cna.nl.ca
pointer Karen Moore | Guidance Counsellor  | 709/758-7578  | karen.moore@cna.nl.ca
pointer Katie Nurse | Student Development Officer B  | 709/758-7259  | katie.nurse@cna.nl.ca
pointer Melissa Humphries | Student Development Officer  | 709/758-7250  | melissa.humphries@cna.nl.ca
pointer Mini Nair Jayasankar | Student Development Officer B  | 709/758-7170  | mini.nair@cna.nl.ca
pointer Tara Thomas | Guidance Counsellor  | 709/758-7314  | tara.thomas@cna.nl.ca
pointer Ted Power | Guidance Counsellor  | 709/758-7368  | ted.power@cna.nl.ca

Ridge Road Campus
pointer Cara Vardy | Student Development Officer B  | 709/758-7011  | cara.vardy@cna.nl.ca
pointer Jennifer Pelley | Student Development Officer B  | 709/758-7388  | jennifer.pelley@cna.nl.ca
pointer Nadine Humber | Guidance Counsellor  | 709/758-7626  | nadine.humber@cna.nl.ca
pointer Sarah Maunder | Student Development Officer B  | 709/758-7423  | sarah.briffett@cna.nl.ca

Seal Cove Campus
pointer Marlene Furlong | Student Development Officer B  | 709/744-6841  | marlene.furlong@cna.nl.ca

St. Anthony Campus
pointer Lavinia Crisby | Student Development Officer B  | 709/207-1310  | lavinia.crisby@cna.nl.ca


CONTACT INFORMATION FOR StudentAidNL:

Email Inquiries:
studentaidenquiry@gov.nl.ca
Document Submission:
studentaidmailbox@gov.nl.ca
Telephone:
(709) 729-5849 or 1-888-657-0800
Fax:
1-709-729-2298
Mailing:
StudentAidNL, Department of Education, Box 8700, St. John’s, NL A1B 4J6

 

Bursaries

 

College of the North Atlantic offers the following entrance bursaries to aid the financial needs of students:

Joyce Family Foundation Bursary

The Joyce Family Foundation and College of the North Atlantic have a great opportunity available to you - The Joyce Family Foundation Bursary Program.

The Joyce Family Foundation Bursary Program is open to all high school students in all communities in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador. The bursary program is based on financial need and is open to any student wanting to pursue a CNA post-secondary education. The Joyce Family Foundation Bursary Program will provide financial support from the time of the student application until completion of his or her program.

Application deadline for 2025 coming soon!

CNA is now accepting applications for The Joyce Family Foundation Bursary. Information brochures and applications are available in PDF format by clicking the below links. Please contact your principal or guidance counsellor to find out how you can apply.

Fairfax Financial Holdings Limited Entrance Bursary

The Fairfax Financial Holdings Limited Entrance Bursary is available to students who meet the following requirements:
  • graduated from high school no later than 18 months prior to entrance to their first year of study at the College in September
  • achieved at least a 75% average in senior high school marks (Level I, II and III)
Valued at $4,000 this award is donated by Fairfax Financial Holdings Limited and is renewable each year for the duration of the student’s program of study provided the student remains in the same program.

If you are successful in obtaining this award, you will be required to apply for renewal for each additional year of your program. In order to qualify for renewal of the award you have to maintain the same financial need as well as maintain a minimum weighted/overall average of 75% in your program of study at the College

Deadline to apply is July 29, 2024!

CNA is now accepting applications for The Fairfax Financial Holdings Limited Entrance Bursary. Applications are available in PDF format by clicking the below link. Please contact your principal or guidance counsellor to find out how you can apply.

 

Employment Insurance

 

The Department of Immigration, Population, Skills and Growth offers a Skills Development program which provides financial support to eligible individuals who are seeking full-time post-secondary training at a public or private training institution.
 
Programs must be 12 weeks or great in duration, or short-term training of less than 12 weeks. Individuals must be Employment Insurance eligible, and be engaged in a case management approach with the department, including the development of an Employment Plan.
 
Individuals have to apply by emailing EmploymentPrograms@gov.nl.ca to start the Employment Plan process, which includes:
 
  • A general information session
  • The identification of barriers
  • A detailed job search
  • Labour market research
  • Career exploration
  • Work and educational history and
  • Other items that may be identified
 
It is important that students begin this process as soon as possible in order to meet funding deadlines to begin their program in September. Students are recommended for funding once the Employment Plan and all related documents are received.
 
For more information visit: The Department of Immigration, Population, Skills and Growth - Skills Development