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Student aid is open! Apply now (there's free money inside)

Student aid applications for fall 2026 are open, and one application covers federal and provincial loans, plus grant money up to $4,200 that you never have to pay back! Processing takes a month or more, so applying now is what gets funding in place before tuition is due. Alberta and Ontario timelines, a step-by-step walkthrough, and what to do if aid isn't enough.

Stop paying for stuff you forgot about

Two easy wins hiding in your bank statements: subscriptions you signed up for and forgot, and a student chequing fee you probably don't have to pay. Plus the new $10 cap on bounced-payment fees, and a 15-minute audit to catch it all. No lecture about your coffee.

You're getting two cheques from the government in July!

The federal Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit (the renamed GST/HST credit, paid automatically July 3) and an Alberta-only $100 energy rebate you have to claim through a portal that opens July 1. This issue covers who qualifies for each, which is automatic and which needs an application, and the dates that matter.

How to actually build credit this summer

You keep hearing you should build credit, but nobody explains how the score actually works. This issue covers how credit scores are calculated, how credit card interest really works, and a step-by-step summer playbook to go from no credit file to a usable score by fall.

Welcome to the real world

If you're graduating this year, your income is about to change, your loans are about to enter repayment, and your employer is going to hand you a stack of paperwork you've never seen before. This issue covers the financial transition from student to working adult.

You opened a TFSA. Now what?

You opened the account. You've got some money sitting in it. Now what? This issue covers the three main options for your money (HISAs, ETFs, and robo-advisors) and how to figure out which one makes sense for you based on when you need the money.

Where'd half your paycheque go?

You got your first summer paycheque and a huge chunk of it disappeared immediately?? CPP, EI, federal tax, provincial tax... what are these? This issue breaks down what they mean, why you're probably overpaying, and how to keep more of your money.

The pre-summer checklist

The winter semester is almost done, and there's a short list of tasks related to your money that you should handle before you close the door on this school year. Your damage deposit, your student loans, a tax deadline, and the small stuff that's easy to miss.

Your Balance Is Lying to You

That number in your bank account isn't what you actually have to spend. A chunk of it is already committed to next month's rent, groceries, and bills. It just hasn't left yet. This issue breaks down how to figure out what's yours, what to do with it, and the order that makes all the difference.

The Student Tax Guide: How to Claim Your Tuition Credit and File for Free

Most students leave money on the table at tax time because they don't know what they're entitled to. This guide covers the tuition tax credit, key deadlines, how to actually file, and the questions students ask most.

TFSA, RRSP, or FHSA: Which Account Should You Actually Use?

Most students have heard of these accounts but aren't sure how they work or which one to open first. This issue breaks down all three and explains why the TFSA is almost always the right starting point.

Why Starting to Invest Now Matters More Than How Much You Have

Investing is not reserved for people who already have money. This issue breaks down how it works, why starting early matters more than starting big, and what your first investment actually looks like.

How to Budget, Spend Intentionally, and Avoid the Credit Card Trap

A practical guide to tracking your spending, building intentional money habits, and understanding why student loans are almost always the smarter choice over credit cards.

Tuition Credits, School Costs, and RESPs Explained

How the tuition tax credit works and why carrying it forward usually beats using it now, what Edmonton schools cost once you add mandatory fees, and how RESPs reduce your debt load.

Renting vs. Buying: What to Know Before You Sign a Lease

How to think through the rent vs. buy decision as a student, what to look for before signing a lease, and the money terms you'll need when you move out.

The Money Basics Every Student Should Know

The most common money myths students still believe, how credit scores work, and three terms that show up everywhere in student finance.