Fund your Canadian education with Passage.
Passage is an education-financing company that helps international students pay for study in Canada. It works with partner colleges and universities and focuses on programs in fields where Canada needs skilled people. Below is everything we know about the program, where each fact comes from, and how we help you apply.
Why it exists, and what it means for you
Talent shouldn't depend on savings
Many capable students find the right program and then stop at the cost. Passage was created to remove that financial barrier for international students.
Built by education insiders
Passage was founded by Martin Basiri, a University of Waterloo engineering graduate and co-founder of ApplyBoard, and is backed by CAD 40 million in venture capital from Drive Capital. It funds study in fields with labour shortages, such as engineering, bioscience, healthcare and skilled trades.
A program chosen on merit
Eligible students can finance tuition and living costs and focus on the program that fits their goals, then repay over several years.
The published terms, in one table
These are the terms Passage publishes on its own platform. They can change, so we check them every week and confirm them again for your program before you apply.
| Term | What Passage publishes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum amount | up to 65,000 | passage.com |
| What it can cover | Tuition only, or tuition plus first-year living costs (CAD 23,448 in the calculator we checked) | Passage loan calculator |
| Interest rate | 11.95% APR, fixed | Passage loan calculator |
| Repayment term | 84 months in the example we checked | Passage loan calculator |
| Early repayment | No prepayment penalty | passage.com |
| Collateral | Upfront cash collateral, set by Passage for each loan (about 35% of the loan in the example we checked) | Passage loan calculator |
| Eligibility check | No credit check to see if you qualify | passage.com |
Every Passage-eligible program, in one search
Filter by school, province, field, length and delivery. Each card shows the tuition Passage lists, and one click carries it into the calculator below.
Program list and terms checked on app.passage.com: 2026-10-12 · 129 programs · refreshed weeklySee your monthly payment before you apply
Choose a program or type your tuition, decide whether the loan should also cover living costs, and see the estimated monthly payment, collateral and total interest.
Where Passage financing is available
Passage financing is offered for select programs at partner colleges. This list is built from Passage's own program search and updated every week.
Who can apply
An eligible program
A program at a Passage partner college in healthcare, skilled trades, early childhood education or STEM. Use the program finder above to check yours.
An offer from the school
An acceptance from the institution. Students who are planning to start, already enrolled or newly accepted can apply, from abroad or from within Canada.
A complete file
Typically the admission letter, transcripts and ID, plus income documents for the student and any co-applicant. Passage checks eligibility without a credit check; we review your file with you first.
Five steps, with us beside you
Canadian Edu Centre is not a lender. Passage reviews and approves every loan; we make sure your program, admission and documents are ready so your application is complete.
Choose an eligible program
We shortlist programs at partner institutions that match your goals and budget.
Get admitted
We prepare and track your application through to the offer letter.
Apply to Passage
We help you gather the documents and complete the application on the Passage platform.
Approval and payment
Passage reviews your file. Once approved, tuition is paid directly to the institution.
Plan the rest of your budget
Housing, insurance and living costs combined into one first-year plan.
Questions about Passage financing
Is Canadian Edu Centre the lender?
No. Passage offers and approves the loans under its own criteria and terms. We help you choose an eligible program and prepare a complete application.
Which programs qualify?
Select programs at partner colleges in healthcare, skilled trades, early childhood education and STEM. The program finder on this page lists every one, checked weekly on Passage.
How much can I borrow?
Passage lends up to CAD 65,000 for tuition, or tuition plus living costs, at a fixed 11.95% APR. Your actual amount depends on Passage's review of your file.
Do I need collateral?
Yes. Passage asks for upfront cash collateral. In the example we checked it was about 35% of the loan, credited against the monthly payments. Passage sets the exact amount for each loan.
Can I repay early?
Yes. Passage states there is no prepayment penalty.
Can I combine a loan with family savings or a scholarship?
Yes. Many students borrow only part of the cost. We build a budget that combines all your funding sources.
What if my program isn't eligible?
We can suggest similar programs at partner schools, or plan your budget with other funding sources.
The result, in four parts
- George Brown Polytechnic: Passage Funding Program and partnership FAQ
- Bow Valley College: Other financial aid
- University of Waterloo: ApplyBoard co-founder launches new venture
- Passage: official site (loan amount, rate, fields, prepayment)
- Passage: loan calculator (rate, term, collateral, living-cost figure)
- Passage: loan-eligible program search (program list and tuition, refreshed weekly)
Loan terms are set by Passage and can change at any time. Canadian Edu Centre is an education consultancy, not a lender.