From the library
Guides and explainers on student finance in Canada.
Dorm Shopping List: What to Buy Before Move-In Day
The 12 things worth buying before you move into your first dorm, what each one costs, and what you should skip so you don't blow your budget on stuff the residence hall already provides.
How to Split Rent With Your Roommate (and Everything Else)
What you and your roommate should split, what you shouldn't, the fair ways to divide rent when rooms aren't equal, and how to share bills without turning into the house accountant.
What You Need (and Don't Need) in First Year
What you need in first year, what you don't, and the stuff students buy and never use again.
Cheapest Groceries & Meals for Students in Canada
What one student should budget for groceries each month, the cheapest proteins and staples in Canada right now, and a meal-prep routine that keeps every meal under $3.
How to get the Canada Learning Bond as an adult (ages 18 to 20)
A step-by-step guide to claiming the Canada Learning Bond yourself before your 21st birthday: who qualifies, what you need, how to open an RESP, and how to withdraw the money. Up to $2,000 in free government money.
hi finance and Embark are helping students claim the Canada Learning Bond
hi finance has partnered with Embark to make it easier for eligible students to claim the Canada Learning Bond, up to $2,000 in free government money for their education.
hi finance and Embark partner to help students claim the Canada Learning Bond
hi finance, the student finance app, has partnered with Embark, Canada's education savings and planning company, to help eligible students claim the Canada Learning Bond, a federal grant worth up to $2,000.
How to Find Your Line 15000 for Grant Funding (2026)
Yes, Line 15000 is your gross income: total income from all sources, before deductions. Here's where to find it on your 2025 tax return in about two minutes.
The Canvas Hack, Explained in English
Your school sent you a notice about the Canvas breach. Here's what to do, what happened, and whether you're at risk.
Canada Student Grant vs. Loan
A Canada Student Grant is free money you keep. A Canada Student Loan is borrowed money you repay. One application gets you both automatically.
T2202 Tuition Tax Credit: How to Claim It
Your T2202 confirms your eligible tuition. Here's how to claim the tuition tax credit, transfer up to $5,000 to family, or carry it forward.
How Much Do Textbooks Cost in Canada in 2026?
Textbooks cost $1,000 to $2,000+ per year in Canada in 2026. See average costs by program, plus how to cut the bill with free OER, rentals, and used copies.
FHSA for Students
The FHSA gives you a tax deduction when you contribute and tax-free withdrawals when you buy a home. No other account in Canada does both. Here's how it works and why students should open one now.
How to Get Your First Credit Card
A credit card is the fastest way to start building credit history in Canada. Here's how to pick the right student card, get approved, and use it without getting into trouble.
How OSAP Works
OSAP gives Ontario students both federal and provincial aid through one application. Here's what you actually get, who qualifies, and how repayment works.
Student Line of Credit vs. Loan
Government student loans are cheaper and come with protections a bank can't match. A student line of credit fills the gap when government funding runs out. Here's how to decide.
How to Budget on a Student Income
Your income is low and irregular, but that's exactly why budgeting matters now. Here's how to track your money, pick a system, and build habits that stick.
TFSA for Students
A TFSA lets your money grow tax-free and you can withdraw anytime with no penalty. For most students, it's the right first account to open. Here's how it works.
How to Build Credit from Scratch in 2026
You don't start with a credit score in Canada. Here's how to build credit from scratch in 2026, going from no history to a usable score as a student or newcomer.