Government financial assistance

• Quebec
  • Rules governing the purchase of computer equipment
  • How to submit a first-time student loan application
  • Information session on loans and bursaries
  • Important dates
  • Arrival of my loan guarantee certificate
• Canada

Government Financial Assistance - Quebec

The ministère de L’Éducation, du Loisir et du Sport du Québec (MELS), the province’s education ministry, offers financial assistance in the form of loans and bursaries to full-time and part-time students who are Quebec residents. Refer to the Government of Quebec’s Student Aid Web site for all the details on eligibility, procedures, deadlines and more.

The services offered by the MELS include:

• Loans Program for Part-time Studies
• Allowance for Special Needs Program
• The Explore program
• Deferred Payment Plan
• Loan Remission Program
• Costs Related to the Purchase of Computer Equipment

Rules governing the purchase of computer equipment

If you meet the conditions for obtaining a loan, the maximum allowable amount for the purchase of computer equipment, which must include a computer, is $2,000. If your program of study requires that you use a laptop computer, the maximum allowable expense is $3,000.

Rules:

• The computer equipment purchased much include a computer.
• The computer equipment must be purchased between May 1 preceding the academic year to which your request applies and the last day of the second month that follows receipt of the financial assistance intended for the purchase.
• You can purchase the computer equipment from any store in Quebec. Proof of purchase must bear your name. Remember to keep a copy of your proof of purchase, as the MELS student loans department (AFE) could ask you for it.

How to submit a first-time student loan application

1. Complete an application for financial assistance.

If you already have a permanent code:

• Go to the AFE Web site
• Click Fill out a form (top left) and follow the instructions on your screen.

If you do not have a permanent code:

• Pick up a paper version of the form at Student Services and complete it.
• If necessary, attend an information session (in french only, to be determined).
• Have your completed form validated by Student Services.

2. Gather all the documents requested by the AFE, have them certified by Student Services if necessary, and mail the application package to the AFE.
Note: Your birth certificate must include your parents’ full names and your place of birth.

3. If applicable, one month after sending your request, meet with a Student Services advisor to obtain your permanent code. This code will give you online access to your file on the AFE Web site.

4. Approximately six to eight weeks after submitting your application, view your online file on the AFE Web site to check whether your application has been processed.

5. One week after the confirmation date appearing in your online file on the AFE site, you can collect your loan guarantee certificate from Student Services.

6. In September and in January, complete the Confirmation of Financial Resources form on the AFE Web site.

7. Should your personal situation change in any way during your studies, you must notify the AFE.

If you want to drop a course (with or without refund of tuition fees), please consult a consultant to the financial support of Student Services; withdraw form a course may result in negative consequences for the calculation of your financial aid.

Information session on loans and bursaries

Student Services organizes information sessions (in french only, to be determined) for students submitting their first financial aid applications in writing because they do not yet have a permanent code. These sessions take place in early summer. Refer to the Student Services Activities Calendar for times and dates.

If you need guidance in completing financial assistance procedures anytime during the academic year, ask to speak with a Student Services advisor.

Important dates by term

Arrival of my loan guarantee certificate

The loan guarantee certificate is an official document issued in your name by the government of Québec’s student aid department (AFE). You must provide it to your financial institution. With this certificate, the financial assistance from the MELS to which you are entitled will be deposited into your account electronically either monthly or according to some other frequency. This certificate is valid for the duration of your studies, unless they are interrupted for more than six (6) months.

You can obtain your Loan Guarantee Certificate from Student Services. To find out when your certificate is available, check the “Actualité” (news) page of your online file on the AFE Web site.

Student Services will issue the certificate to you approximately one week after the date appearing in your online file on presentation of one piece of valid photo ID such as your student card.

Government financial assistance - Canada

If you are a resident of another province and are planning to study at HEC Montréal, you can obtain information about the student aid programs available in your HOME province by going to the Government of Canada’s CanLearn Web site.