NewChangedDeadline passed
NationalLikely if eligiblePaid again in later years of your program, as long as you keep meeting its rules, such as a minimum average.
Canada Apprentice Loan
Government of Canada (Employment and Social Development Canada)
- Amount
- Up to $20,000Up to $4,000 interest-free per period of technical training, for up to 5 periods ($20,000 total). No payments while you stay registered in a Red Seal apprenticeship, for up to 6 years, and no interest until you complete or leave your apprenticeship training.
- Deadline
- No fixed dateNo fixed deadline. Apprentices can apply as early as 3 months before each period of technical training starts.
Go to the official page (opens in a new tab)
Always confirm the details there before applying.
About this award
An interest-free federal loan for registered apprentices in Red Seal trades, available for each period of in-class technical training, up to five periods. It can be used for tuition, tools, equipment, living costs or lost wages. No payments are due while the apprentice stays registered, for up to six years. Students apply after high school, once registered as an apprentice.
Who can apply
- Canadian citizen, permanent resident or protected person
- Registered apprentice in a Red Seal trade designated in your province (Ontario counts; Quebec does not)
- Enrolled in block-release or equivalent full-time technical training with an approved provider
- High school students are not eligible
- Cannot also receive a Canada Student Loan for the same training
- Not eligible if you have been told you are restricted from receiving a Canada Apprentice Loan or a Canada Student Loan
What to submit
- Online application through the Canada Apprentice Loan Service Centre
- Registration as an apprentice in a Red Seal trade
- Enrolment in technical training
- Credit check (first-time applicants)
Quick facts
Words you'll see- Type
- Government aid
- Category
- Trades
- Program
- Apprenticeship
- Field of study
- Trades
- When to apply
- After starting post-secondary
- Where it applies
- National, Canada
- The gap between what school costs and what your family is expected to pay. Bursaries and grants often use it.
- No
- Paid again in later years of your program, as long as you keep meeting its rules, such as a minimum average.
- Yes
- Application cycle
- 2026-27
Sources
Last checked against the official site on Oct 1, 2026.
- https://www.canada.ca/en/services/jobs/training/support-skilled-trades-apprentices/loan.html(opens in a new tab)
- https://www.pca-cal.ca/en/Apprentice-Loan-Information/Determine-your-eligibility(opens in a new tab)
What the official pages say
"With the Canada Apprentice Loan, you can get up to $4,000 in interest-free loans per period of technical training."
https://www.canada.ca/en/services/jobs/training/support-skilled-trades-apprentices/loan.html(opens in a new tab)"you may qualify for up to $4,000 per period of technical training, for up to 5 periods."
https://www.pca-cal.ca/en/home(opens in a new tab)"up to $20,000 in interest-free Canada Apprentice Loans"
https://www.canada.ca/en/services/jobs/training/support-skilled-trades-apprentices/grants.html(opens in a new tab)"Your loan will be payment-free for up to 312 weeks/6 years"
https://www.pca-cal.ca/en/Apprentice-Loan-Information/Determine-your-eligibility(opens in a new tab)"be registered in a Red Seal Trade apprenticeship program that is designated by the province or territory"
https://www.pca-cal.ca/en/Apprentice-Loan-Information/Determine-your-eligibility(opens in a new tab)"You are not eligible if you: are a high school student"
https://www.pca-cal.ca/en/Apprentice-Loan-Information/Determine-your-eligibility(opens in a new tab)"Apprentices can apply for a Canada Apprentice Loan as early as 3 months before the start of their technical training"
https://www.canada.ca/en/services/jobs/training/support-skilled-trades-apprentices/grants.html(opens in a new tab)"The Canada Apprentice Loan is available in all provinces and territories except Quebec"
https://www.canada.ca/en/services/jobs/training/support-skilled-trades-apprentices/loan.html(opens in a new tab)"have been told that you are restricted from receiving a Canada Apprentice Loan or a Canada Student Loan;"
https://www.pca-cal.ca/en/apprentice-loan-information/determine-your-eligibility(opens in a new tab)
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