Financial Resources

Many Dalhousie students are facing unexpected financial challenges due to housing shortages, price inflation, and the continuing impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. There are a variety of supports available to assist you during your studies at Dalhousie. There are also strategies that can help you adjust your budget and spending to alleviate some current financial stress.

Dalhousie Programs

• Undergraduate Bursary Program
• Bursaries through the Faculty of Graduate Studies
• Law, Medicine, and Dentistry students should contact their Faculty office for bursary opportunities. 
• Dalhousie temporary loans
• Dalhousie Student Union funding opportunities
• DSU Food Bank
• Financial assistance may be available to help with the cost of mandatory quarantine in Dalhousie's approved location for international students who are new to Dalhousie or returning to study. Visit the international centre immigration updates page for more information.

Government Programs

• Student loans - Canadian federal and provincial student loan programs were created to supplement the financial resources of students and their families and make post-secondary education accessible to as many Canadians as possible. View more information on our Canadian government student loans page.
  
  
• Employment Insurance –  If you lost your job through no fault of your own and have worked at least 700 hours in the past 52 weeks, you may be eligible for Employment Insurance (EI).

Community Supports

• NS 211 has links to services offered by local community and government organizations such as food banks, housing information, and other financial resources.
• Community food banks - Scroll down to the bottom of the page to do a search based on where you live in Nova Scotia.
• Solve Your Debts (formerly Credit Counselling of Atlantic Canada) – Can help advise you on working with creditors and developing budgets.
• If you are feeling overwhelmed by your financial situation, and the emotions are causing you mental anguish that's affecting your studies and day to day living, please reach out to Student Health and Wellness."

Banks and other bills and expenses

• Check with your bank ​or credit union to see if you are eligible to defer loan or mortgage payments. Also, drop by a branch to talk about a bank account without monthly fees. Most financial institutions in Canada offer no-fee bank accounts to students. Bring your student card with you.
• Check with your credit card company to see if you have insurance on your card that will pay off a percentage of your balance if you have lost employment. (This is not a recommendation to get the insurance. However, if you already have it, it makes sense to find out if you can make a claim.)
• Check with your utility companies like Nova Scotia Power and home heating fuel providers (oil, gas, electricity) about their policies to allow for more flexible payment timelines. Setting up a monthly payment of $100 over the whole year can prevent the surprise of a really high heating bill in the winter.

Adjusting your budget

• Consider which expenses are required, which you may be able to defer, and which you might be able to eliminate, even in the short term. Visit our Managing Your Money resources for more informaton on budgeting strategies and tips for living affordably. 
• Check out online budgeting tips and tools through the Financial Consumer Agency of Canada.
• Get creative! Learn more about ways to maximize your grocery purchases with budget cooking blogs, cookbooks ​(click on cover of Good and Cheap for the free pdf), and discount apps like Flipp and Checkout51. Ask your friends for their tips about saving money and keeping costs down.

Need further advising?

Visit dal.ca/moneymatters or email awards@dal.ca for information on scholarships, student loans, or to request a virtual appointment with an advisor.