Summary
Dealing with a financial emergency? This FAQ explains how to apply for a short-term emergency loan at Acadia to cover urgent needs like rent, textbooks, or food while waiting for other funding. Learn who’s eligible, what to include in your request, and how repayment works.
Body
If you’re facing a financial emergency - like needing money for textbooks, rent, or other basic needs while waiting for your student loan funding - you may be able to apply for a short-term emergency loan from Acadia.
This is a repayable loan with interest that must be paid back within the academic year.
Who can apply?
To qualify for an emergency student loan, you must:
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Be a full-time student registered in a degree program at Acadia
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Show that you are experiencing temporary financial hardship
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Provide documentation to show your need (see below)
How to apply
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Write an email to financial.aid@acadiau.ca
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In the email, include:
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The amount of money you’re requesting
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A short explanation of why you need the loan
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An itemized list of expenses (e.g. rent, textbooks, food)
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Any supporting documents you have (e.g. bills, receipts)
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A copy of your provincial student loan assessment, if available
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Your name and student ID#
Your application will be reviewed based on the minimum costs of education for the academic year.
👉 Important: You cannot use this loan to pay off fees you already owe on your Acadia student account.
Helpful Definitions
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Short-Term Loan – Temporary funding you borrow and repay, usually within the same academic year.
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Student Loan Assessment – A document from your province that shows how much loan funding you’re approved to receive.
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Financial Hardship – A situation where you can’t afford basic needs like housing, textbooks, or food due to delayed or unavailable funds.
Special Notes
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Emergency loans are designed for short-term, urgent needs, not for covering full tuition or long-term costs.
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Reach out early - processing can take a few days, and the sooner you apply, the sooner you’ll get support.
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If you’re unsure if you qualify, email financial.aid@acadiau.ca to ask.