A student loan program offers loans and grants designed to help students pay for post-secondary education. The program advances the student a sum of money and the student agrees to a set of terms including interest, repayment dates and other conditions to execute their loan. Students can borrow either from a government program or through a private institution, such as a bank.

Students are eligible for different student loan programs depending on their geographic origin. For example, a student must have Ontario Residency to access the Ontario Student Assistance Program.

Examples of student loan programs include (but are not limited to):

• Ontario Student Assistance Program or other provincial student loan programs (see student financial services for out-of-province students)

• Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for students from the United States

• Veteran Affairs (VA)