Temporary Loans
Dalhousie offers temporary loans of up to $1000 to help students make it through cash-flow crunches, until other funding arrives. Temporary loans are interest-free until due, and can be used to pay for living expenses, but not tuition or fees.
Temporary Loans are normally available for 30 days, but can be available up to a maximum of 90 days. With your application, you will need to provide documentation proving that you can pay the money back. Applications are processed every week and the deadline is Wednesday at 4:00pm. If approved, you'll receive funds the following Thursday after 2:00pm.
Eligibility for temporary loans
- Temporary loans are meant for students who have exhausted all other means of funding. You are expected to have asked your parents to assist you, even if you don't live at home.
- You need to be registered with Dalhousie during the term of the loan. You can be studying full-time or part-time.
- You can only apply once per academic term.
- If you've received previous temporary loans and they've gone unpaid for 30 days after the due date, your application may not be considered.
- The University of King's College has its own temporary loan program. If you're a King's student in need of temporary assistance, contact the King's Registrar's Office.
How to apply:
- Fill out a Temporary Loan Application [PDF - 36 kB]
- Be sure to attach documentation proving that you can repay the loan. Types of documents to include with your application:
- Government Student Aid. Temporary loans are meant to tide you over, so you won't be able to get a temporary loan if you've already received your funds from the government. Attach a photocopy of either your assessment sheet or your notice-of-award sheet. The amount the government is sending you needs to cover the temporary loan.
- Employment. Provide a letter of confirmation of your employment, signed by your employer and on company letterhead. The letter should include your rate of pay, hours per week and job duration.
- Parental Guarantee. A letter from your parents, signed and dated, stating that they'll repay your loan if you are unable to do so. The letter should include the loan amount and the repayment date.
- Teaching Assistantships and Residence Assistanceships. A copy of your contract or a letter from your employer stating your salary and terms of employment. If you're receiving other types of funding, supply written documentation.
- Graduate Student Award. If you are being funded by a significant fellowship or scholarship, you may provide a copy of the award letter containing details about the amount, duration, and payment.
- Submit your application to the Registrar’s Office. The deadline is Wednesday at 4:00 p.m. (applications are processed weekly).
- Status of application. The Registrar's Office will e-mail applicants by Thursday afternoon with approval or denial of the temporary loan application and the date your cheque will be available.
- Getting your money. If your application was approved, bring your Dalhousie ID to Student Accounts after 2:00 p.m. on the date your e-mail confirmed your cheque would be ready. You'll be asked to sign a Promissory Note.
- Promissory Note. File your copy of the Promissory Note with other important documents. Mark the due date in your calendar.
Repaying your loan
You can repay your loan by visiting the Student Accounts Office. They will accept a personal cheque, money order or cash. Make cheques payable to "Dalhousie University." You can also make regular payments as long as the balance is cleared by the due date.
Interest
Temporary loans are interest-free if the debt is paid by the due date. After the due date, the loans will accrue interest as stipulated in the Promissory Note.
