Student Loans Guide for New Brunswick Students

Quest for Student Loans

Applying for student financial assistance might feel extremely stressful. There are steps, strategies, and maybe even a few battles (hello, paperwork), but with the right guide and a bit of preparation, you can conquer it and secure the financial resources you need for your academic journey. Think of it less like a chore and more like enchanting your gear for the battles ahead. This guide will help you navigate the New Brunswick Student Loans Quest from start to finish.

Step 1: NB Student Financial Asistance Portal

Your first destination is the NB Student Aid Portal. Every student needs a guidebook, and for your financial journey, that’s the NB Student Aid Portal. Think of it as your Adventurer’s Logbook—a secure, central hub where your Canadian Student Loans application, documents, and updates are stored throughout your quest.

If it’s your first time on this quest, you will need to create a new profile. Make sure you have your Social Insurance Number (SIN)— it’s like your unique player ID—and a reliable email address to begin the adventure.

From there, three key tools await:

📩 Messages – updates or requests from Student Aid.
📤 Uploads – submit required documents.
📝 Application – view or edit your progress.

Step 2: Choosing Your Category

This is the classic starting class—ideal for those fresh out of high school and just beginning their post-secondary journey. Your financial assistance eligibility is tied to your family. That means your parents’ or guardians’ total annual income will determine the level of support you receive, whether you’re living at home or have traveled more than 25 km to attend college. Your quest may be just beginning, but you’re backed by the strength of your home base.

This category is for seasoned adventurers—those who’ve spent at least four years charting their own course or have already proven their strength through two or more years of full-time work. Known as Independent Champions, they rely on their own income to determine financial aid eligibility. This path also includes those who are married, raising children, or whose parents are no longer part of their journey. Independent Champions are self-sufficient by nature, and their financial quest is measured by the gold they’ve earned on their own.

Some adventurers follow a longer, more challenging path—and that comes with unique strengths. If you have a permanent or prolonged disability, your journey includes additional support in the form of specialized grants, adjusted course load requirements, and more flexible timelines. You may be considered a full-time student while taking just 40% of a standard course load, and you’ll have extended time to complete your studies. This character class is built for resilience—and your path forward is designed to honour that strength.

Step 3: Gathering Your Resources

The student loans application itself is where you gather all your resources and lay them out. It’s a single, powerful process that finds you both valuable ore (grants and bursaries) that you don’t have to repay and tradeable gems (loans) that you will.

Here’s what you’ll need to put in your crafting slots:

Essential Starting Gear:
Your personal info like your name, address and contact details. Don’t leave your shield (SIN) behind! Your previous years NOA (Notice of Assessment from the CRA) and the NOA of your Parent/ Guardian(s).
The Map to Your Destination: The name, address and details of the post-secondary stronghold (Oulton College), along with your program of study.
A Bag of Gold (and the Gold of Others): This is a crucial step. You’ll need to report your own income and assets. If you’re a dependent adventurer, you’ll also need to know the wealth of your family’s stronghold by using specific line numbers from your parents’ tax scrolls.
Enchanted Scrolls and Runes: Sometimes, you’ll be asked to upload special items like a disability verification rune or your program information from Oulton College. Make sure to have these ready to complete your enchantment.

Step 4: Begin you Adventure

With your adventurer’s logbook open (your dashboard), it’s time to choose your Application and Start your application. Navigate to the quest marker labeled “Apply for Full-Time Student Financial Assistance.” This will start a new session, guiding you through the different biomes of the application process.

Filling in the Map: You’ll first enter your Personal Information, which helps the game generate the perfect landscape for your journey. This step ensures you get to the right biome with the resources you need. If you are a Permanent resident or Protected person remember to have you proof of residency on hand.
Charting Your Course: Next, you’ll need to enter your Educational Details. This is like charting your course to the stronghold where you’ll spend your time, identifying your guild (Oulton College) and the specific skills (program of study) you plan to master.
Scouting for Treasure: You’ll then be prompted to provide your Financial Information. This is your chance to scout for and declare all the gold and gems you’ve collected. This step determines what kind of treasure chests (grants, bursaries and loans) you’re eligible to unlock.
Casting Your Spells: If the game requires them, you’ll Upload Supporting Documents. These are like casting spells or using potions to enchant your application, making it stronger and more complete.
The Final Enchantment: Before you submit your quest, take a moment to Review your application. Double-check every detail to make sure your resources are correctly placed. Once you’re confident, click the “Submit” button. You’ll receive a confirmation message and can now watch your progress in the logbook.

Step 5: Forging the Agreement

Once your application is submitted and your materials are approved (takes 6-weeks), you’ll receive an email with your Student Loans Notice of Assessment (NOA). Three days after you receive your Student Loans NOA, an invitation to sign the Master Student Financial Assistance Agreement (MSFAA) will be sent to your email. Think of this as your Master Guild Pact. It’s a multi-year, legally binding agreement that outlines the rules of your loans. The best part? You usually only have to sign this pact once to seal the deal for future quests.

Wise Adventurer's Tips

Don’t wait until the last minute. The New Brunswick Student Aid Council recommends submitting your application at least two months before your program begins. This gives you time to gather documents, respond to requests, and ensure your funding is in place by the first day of class.

Check your progress regularly. Log into your Student Aid Portal (your Adventurer’s Logbook) to monitor your application. Watch for new messages or document requests—responding quickly helps keep everything on track.

Need help? Reach out. If you’re unsure what to do next, don’t go it alone. You can contact:

- NB Student Financial Services at 1-800-667-5626 for help with your application.
- National Student Loans Service Centre at 1-888-815-4514 for questions about loan accounts or repayment.

By preparing for this quest, you’re not just filling out a form—you’re gathering the tools you need to build your future, block by block. Now go forth and create something amazing!

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Remember that by investing in your education, you are investing in your future, gaining the skills and connections you need to thrive in your career and life.

*Please note that information may be subject to modifications. We encourage current and prospective students to visit the websites in order to obtain the most recent information.