Tuition & Funding

We recognize a university education is a major financial undertaking. Queen’s is committed to helping reduce barriers related to financial need or personal circumstances so you can focus on your studies, achieve your goals, and prepare to make your positive impact on the world.

Tuition Fees at Queen's University

Tuition fees are assessed and posted by the Office of the University Registrar.

Scholarships & Bursaries

Tips for Paying for School

Determine Your Budget

  • Take into account your tuition costs, your textbook and materials costs, your student fees, accommodation, travel and other living expenses.
  • The Registrar's office provides a sample budget.

Research Your Options

Create Your Financial Plan

There are many options to help you create a plan to finance your education. Use the Budget Planner to help you get ready.

Financial Definitions

Money talk can take on a language of its own. This glossary will help you decipher some of the student financial assistance terminology.

Award

  • Is non-repayable – an amount of money you receive to assist you in financing your education that you do not have to pay back.
  • Award is a general term used to describe a scholarship or bursary. In some cases, the term award is used when there is a blend of academic, financial need and/or other criteria associated with the terms of the award.
  • All Queen's admission awards will be deposited in your student account by mid-August.

Bursary

  • Is non-repayable – an amount of money you receive to assist you in financing your education that you do not have to pay back.
  • Based on an assessment of your financial need.

Admission Scholarship

  • Is non-repayable – an amount of money you receive to recognize your academic achievement.
  • Based on academic excellence (your high school grades). Sometimes also referred to as a merit-based award.
  • In some cases, there may be other criteria such as involvement in school and community.

Grant

  • Governments, companies and organizations offer grants to students who meet certain conditions, such as financial need, academic skill, or special ability.
  • Not a loan! An amount of money you do not have to pay back.

Loan

  • Money you receive that must be paid back, usually over a period of time.
  • Loans under government student assistance programs are interest-free while you are a full-time student and are based on financial need. You will begin to repay loans when you cease to be a full-time student. Some provinces/territories within Canada may have programs which reduce the amount of repayable loans.
  • A student line of credit is a loan from a financial institution (ie. commercial bank). You pay only the interest while you are in school. You begin repayment of the principal after you have graduated. Unlike government student loans, a student line of credit is not based on financial need. To qualify, you usually require a co-signer (eg. parent or guardian). You can apply for a student line of credit at most major Canadian banks.

Renewable Awards

  • Is non-repayable
  • Renewable scholarships and awards are available to students as they enter the University.  These awards are available to the recipients in future years as long as the renewal criteria are satisfied during each year of study at Queen’s.

RESP

  • A Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP) is a special savings plan that many families have used to save for their child’s post-secondary education.

Work Study Program

  • Provides students with demonstrated financial need, priority for certain part-time jobs on campus and for jobs with not-for-profit organizations.