Financing your Education
Post-Secondary education is one of the biggest investments you will make. By investing in your CMU education, you will receive value for your money and effort.
- It is an investment in your future: in your career and your lifelong friendships.
- It forms and shapes your goals and values.
- The worth of a post-secondary credential has increased in the workforce.
At CMU we recognize the financial challenges you face as a student and we will continue to do what we can to assist you in making your educational experience affordable.
- About 50% of CMU students receive financial aid – either scholarships, awards, bursaries or grants.
- During the school year, you will receive regular updates informing you of scholarship and bursary opportunities within and beyond CMU.
CMU Scholarships, Bursaries, and Grants
Scholarships
- Scholarships, such as Academic Entrance, Academic Excellence, Leadership and Transfer scholarships require you to be enrolled in full time studies of 12 credit hours per semester.
- Transfer and Academic Excellence Scholarships ($1,000) are automatically awarded based on grades and require you to be enrolled in full time studies of 12 credit hours per semester.
- Awards such as Camp Wage Subsidy, Merit Awards, and Scouting Awards require you to be enrolled in full time studies of 9 credit hours per semester.
Bursaries
- There are bursaries available to students who have financial need. However, you must apply for a student loan (government or bank) in order to qualify for bursary assistance.
- Bursary applications will be available October 15, 2010 and the deadline for the completed application is November 15, 2010 with funds being distributed before the start of the winter semester.
- Bursaries are available to students who are full-time (9 credit hours or more) in both the fall and winter semesters.
Grants
Undergraduate and Graduate students attending CMU who receive financial support from their church can have that support matched by CMU up to $250 per semester to a maximum of $500 per year for Canadian students and $500 per semester to a maximum of $1000 per year for American students. This grant is only available for the fall and winter semesters.
Church and Student please note the following:
- Applications for the Church Matching Grant Program will be accepted starting June 1. Funds will be matched on a first come first served basis.
- Funds for the Church Matching Grant Program are limited. Once all the money has been committed no more funds will be matched.
- A small reserve will be maintained for students starting in January.
- Outtatown students are not eligible for the Church Matching Grant Program.
- CMU will not apply matching funds to a students' account until the funds from the church have been received by CMU.
- It is the student's responsibility to ensure this form is completed accurately and submitted to their church with enough time for the church to process the request.
- Churches supporting more than one student may send one cheque for all students supported through this program.
- Students must be registered in a minimum of 9 credit hours during the semester in which they are receiving the matching grant.
- Funds must be sent payable to CMU in order for the student to receive the Matching Grant. Any funds sent directly to the student will not be matched. Please indicate the name(s) of the students receiving the funds in the memo line of the cheque(s).
For questions regarding this program contact the Financial and Student Services Advisor at CMU.
Download CMU Matching Grant Program Form
Student Loans
- You can begin applying on or after June 15, 2010 for the fall and winter semesters of 2010-2011.
- You must apply to the province of your permanent residence. Go to www.CanLearn.ca and follow the links to your province.
- When you apply for a student loan you are asked the PERCENTAGE of course load you will be taking. Each 3 credit hour course is 10%. For instance, if you are taking 9 credits in the fall and 12 credit hours in the winter your course load percentage is 70%. If you take 15 credit hours in fall and 15 credits in winter you are considered to be at 100%.
- If you previously had a student loan and will be in either part-time or full-time studies for the 2010-2011 academic year, but will not be applying for a student loan, make sure you get a Confirmation of Enrolment form (Schedule 2) completed by the Student Financial Services Administrator for both your provincial student loan and for Canada Student Loans, otherwise you will have to begin repaying your student loan(s).
- You will receive 60% or your loan in the fall semester and then 40% in the winter semester – budget accordingly.
- In most cases your federal/provincial loan documents will come to CMU. You will be contacted via your CMU e-mail account and you will need to sign off on these documents. Some provinces, such as Alberta, send the loan forms directly to you and it’s your responsibility to bring them to the Student Financial Services Administrator to be verified and signed.
- Ensure you have valid government issued photo ID, a SIN card and access to a voided cheque or Direct Deposit information from your bank when school begins each semester.
- Make sure your contact information, such as permanent address, is kept up to date with your provincial student loan office.
Full-time Students
- You must maintain full time status according to Canada Student Loan’s definition of 9 credit hours per term in order to obtain and/or to keep your loan in an interest free state.
- If you are only studying for one semester (i.e fall OR winter) and are taking 9 or more credit hours in that one semester, then you are considered full-time for this semester period. For instance, if in the one semester you take 9 credit hours you are considered to be 60%, if you take 12 credit hours you are considered to be 80%, and if you take 15 credit hours you are considered to be 100%.
Part-time Students
- Loans for part time studies are available but are not interest free.
Students from the U.S.A.
- Contact the Student Financial Services Administrator in regards to FAFSA
Awards and Scholarships Available Outside CMU
Here are some helpful sites that give both information and help in searching for scholarships and awards. If you need help applying please contact the Student Financial Services Administrator.
- http://www.scholarshipscanada.com
- http://www.canlearn.ca (also check out their Education Cost Calculator)
- http://www.studentawards.com
- http://www.servicecanada.gc.ca/eng/audiences/youth/education.shtml
On Campus Employment
If you are interested in on campus employment, go to the employment page to download an application form. Return the completed form to the Commuter, International and Disability Programs Coordinator.
After you Graduate - Manitoba or Other Provincial Tuition Tax Credit
If you are from Manitoba and stay in this province after graduation or if you are from another province and choose to make Manitoba your home after graduation you can receive up to $25,000 in tuition tax credits! With this generous program, plus other tax breaks available to students, you may get the majority of your tuition back. For more information visit www.gov.mb.ca/tuitionrebate/index.html.
If you study in Manitoba and return to your home province after graduation, there may be a tuition rebate. For instance, Saskatchewan offers a similar tuition rebate program. Check your provincial government website for more information on tuition rebate programs and for other student tax breaks.
