Canada Apprentice Loan
$ 20,000
Up to $4,000 interest-free per period of technical training (cumulative up to $20,000)
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Government of Canada — Employment and Social Development Canada · National
Canada Apprentice Loan
Reviewed by G Paul · verified March 28, 2026
$20K
Total value
About this award
Up to $4,000 interest-free per period of technical training (cumulative up to $20,000 across an apprenticeship) for registered apprentices in designated Red Seal trades. Available in every province and territory except Quebec. No interest accrues until you complete or leave training.
The Canada Apprentice Loan is the Government of Canada's primary financial support for apprentices in the skilled trades — providing up to $4,000 in interest-free loans per period of technical training, with cumulative access up to $20,000 across the duration of your apprenticeship. The money covers tuition, tools, equipment, living expenses, foregone wages while you're in technical training, and family support. Critically, you do not have to make payments on the loan, and no interest accrues, until after you complete or leave your apprenticeship training program. This makes it functionally a deferred-interest loan: you borrow during training, then begin repayment with interest only once you finish or leave. Available in every province and territory EXCEPT Quebec — Quebec has its own provincial apprenticeship aid through the AFE Programme de prêts et bourses. Apply as early as 3 months before your technical training begins; you can receive funding as early as day one of training while your Employment Insurance claim is processed for payment. The loan was made more central to federal apprenticeship support after the Apprenticeship Incentive Grant (AIG) and Apprenticeship Completion Grant (ACG) closed on March 31, 2025 — apprentices outside Quebec now rely primarily on the Canada Apprentice Loan, EI benefits during technical training, and any provincial trades aid.
Can you get it?
- Canadian Citizen or Permanent Resident or Protected Person — citizenship requirement
- Trades — study level
- Studying red-seal-trades — field of study
How to apply
Review eligibility and gather your documents~1 hour
Read the official award page end-to-end. Confirm you meet every requirement before you start.
Submit before the posted deadline~1 hour
Check the official source for the current deadline: save a copy and submit at least 24 hours early.
More details
Strategy
Apply 3 months before your technical training period begins.
Strategy
The loan does NOT charge interest while you're in training, so even if you don't strictly need the money, taking the maximum and paying it back in a lump sum after you finish is sometimes cheaper than carrying credit card debt for tools and living expenses.
Strategy
Combine the Canada Apprentice Loan with EI benefits during your technical training period — you can receive both, and the loan is designed to bridge the gap between EI rates and your actual expenses.
Quebec residents
apply to AFE instead; the Canada Apprentice Loan does not cover you.
Strategy
If you're working through multiple training periods (typical for a 4-year Red Seal apprenticeship with 4 levels), apply each time — the $4K is per period, up to $20K cumulative.
Strategy
Keep clear records of your apprenticeship progress; you'll need them when repayment begins.
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How do I apply?
Click the Start application button above: it opens the official application page in a new tab.
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When is the deadline?
The provider has not posted a firm deadline. Check the official source before applying.
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Can international students apply?
Eligibility is limited to: Canadian Citizen, Permanent Resident, Protected Person.
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EI Section 25 — Extended EI Training Benefits (Federal)
Government of Canada — Employment and Social Development Canada Continued EI benefits while in approved training (~55% of prior insurable earnings, up to annual max) -
Apprenticeship Incentive Grant (AIG) — DISCONTINUED 2025-03-31
Government of Canada — Employment and Social Development Canada $1,000/year, $2,000 lifetime maximum (PROGRAM CLOSED) -
Apprenticeship Completion Grant (ACG) — DISCONTINUED 2025-03-31
Government of Canada — Employment and Social Development Canada $2,000 one-time lifetime grant on completion (PROGRAM CLOSED) -
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