Vancouver is home to some of Canada's top universities and colleges — UBC, SFU, Langara, BCIT, Emily Carr, and more. Every year, thousands of students in BC file their taxes and leave money on the table simply because they don't know what they're entitled to claim. This guide covers every major student tax credit available in Canada and how to make sure you're getting every dollar back.

The Most Valuable Student Tax Credits

The T2202 — Your Most Important Tax Slip as a Student

Every student enrolled at a Canadian post-secondary institution should receive a T2202 — Tuition and Enrolment Certificate from their school by February 28 each year. This slip is the foundation of your student tax return.

Your T2202 shows:

• The total eligible tuition fees you paid in the tax year
• The number of months you were enrolled full-time and part-time
• Your student number and the institution's name

What Tuition Fees Are Eligible?

Not all fees qualify for the tuition tax credit. Here's what's eligible and what isn't:

Eligible Fees

• Tuition fees paid to a Canadian university, college, or other post-secondary institution
• Mandatory ancillary fees (student activity fees, athletics fees, computer fees)
• Examination fees charged by a professional organization for a designation exam
• Fees paid to a flying school or club (if working toward a commercial pilot licence)

Not Eligible

• Accommodation and meals (residence fees)
• Transportation costs
• Parking fees
• Medical expenses
• Optional fees you chose not to pay (if the school gives you the option to opt out)

Transferring Tuition Credits to a Parent or Spouse

If your tuition credit is larger than your tax owing — which is common for students with low income — you have two options for the unused portion:

Option	How It Works	Maximum Amount
Carry Forward	You keep the unused credit and apply it to your own tax return in a future year when you have higher income	Unlimited — carries forward indefinitely
Transfer to Parent or Grandparent	You designate up to $5,000 of your tuition credit to a supporting parent or grandparent to use on their return	$5,000 per year
Transfer to Spouse or Common-Law Partner	You transfer unused credits to your spouse or common-law partner's return	$5,000 per year

Scholarship, Bursary and Grant Income

Good news — most scholarships, bursaries, and fellowships received by full-time students at a designated educational institution are completely tax-free in Canada. You don't need to include them as income on your T1 return.

However, there are exceptions:

• Research grants — partially taxable. You can deduct expenses paid to earn the grant
• Awards not connected to your studies — may be taxable
• Part-time student awards — only the portion up to your tuition fees is exempt

Other Deductions Students Often Miss

Moving Expenses

If you moved at least 40 kilometres closer to your school (or to a new job after graduating), you can deduct eligible moving expenses from your income. This includes:

• Truck or moving company fees
• Travel expenses (gas, meals, hotel) for yourself and your family
• Temporary accommodation costs at the new location (up to 15 days)
• Cost of cancelling a lease at the old location
• Real estate commissions and legal fees if you sold your home

Child Care Expenses

If you're a student with children, you may be able to claim child care expenses paid for daycare, babysitters, or day camps while you attended school. The deduction limit depends on your child's age and is generally claimed by the lower-income spouse.

Student Loan Interest

Interest paid on a government student loan (Canada Student Loan, BC Student Loan) qualifies for a 15% federal tax credit. Note that interest on private bank loans does not qualify. Keep your annual interest statement from the National Student Loans Service Centre (NSLSC).

Public Transit Passes

While the federal public transit credit was eliminated in 2017, some provincial credits still apply. Check your BC provincial return for any transit-related credits in your area.

International Students — Special Considerations

If you are an international student studying in Canada on a student visa, your tax situation depends on whether you are a Canadian tax resident or a non-resident for tax purposes.

• Residents — You file a T1 return and can claim the tuition tax credit, GST/HST credit, and all other credits available to Canadian residents
• Non-residents — You file a special non-resident return (Section 217 election) and have access to limited credits, though you can still claim the tuition credit on a T1 if you had Canadian income

Determining your residency status for tax purposes can be complex. If you're unsure — especially if you have strong ties to both Canada and your home country — we recommend speaking with a tax professional before filing.

Frequently Asked Questions

I had no income this year — should I still file?

Yes — absolutely. Filing with zero income establishes your tuition carryforward balance with the CRA, makes you eligible for the GST/HST credit, and starts your Canada Training Credit accumulation ($250 added per year). These all benefit you in future years when your income is higher.

My parents paid my tuition — can they claim the credit?

The tuition credit belongs to the student first. You claim it on your return, and then you can designate up to $5,000 to transfer to a supporting parent. Your parent cannot simply claim it without the transfer being designated on your return using Schedule 11.

I graduated partway through the year and started working — how does that affect my return?

You can claim tuition for the portion of the year you were a student, and employment income for the rest. If you moved more than 40km for the new job, you may also be able to claim moving expenses. A tax preparer can make sure everything is correctly reported and you're maximizing both your student credits and employment deductions.

How many years can I carry forward my tuition credit?

There is no time limit — unused tuition credits carry forward indefinitely until you use them. Many students accumulate significant carryforward balances during school and then use them in their first few years of full-time employment when their tax rate is higher and the credit is more valuable.

I'm a graduate student receiving a stipend — is that taxable?

It depends. Research stipends paid as scholarships or fellowships to full-time students are generally exempt. Stipends paid as employment income (T4 slips) are taxable. Many graduate students receive a mix of both. Bring all your slips to your tax appointment and we'll sort it out correctly.