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Your school sends a T2202 slip by the end of February, and it lets you claim the 15% federal tuition credit. Unused amounts carry forward, and up to $5,000 can go to a parent. File even with a small income to get tax back.
Students in Canada usually pay little or no income tax, but the T2202 tuition slip, the 15% federal tuition credit, a transfer of up to $5,000 to a parent and the GST/HST credit all depend on filing. File every year, even when you owe nothing, so unused tuition carries forward and withheld tax comes back.
How does the tuition credit work?
Your school sends a T2202 slip by the end of February. It lets you claim the federal tuition credit, worth 15% of the eligible amount. A student with a small income often can’t use all of it, so you have two choices: carry the rest forward, or transfer up to $5,000 of it to a parent, grandparent or spouse. The CRA’s page on transferring and carrying forward tuition covers who qualifies. Either way you’ll want to keep the slips. The tax credits calculator shows how the credits add up, and our article on carrying forward or transferring the tuition credit goes through the choices.
Here’s how it plays out. Sam in Halifax pays $6,000 in eligible tuition and earns $8,000 over the summer, well under the federal basic personal amount, so Sam owes no federal tax. The credit is worth $900 on paper (15% of $6,000), but there’s nothing to use it against. Sam can transfer $5,000 to a parent, who then gets 15% of that, $750, and carry the last $1,000 forward. One thing to know: once you choose to carry an amount forward, you can’t transfer it later.
Do I pay tax on a summer or part-time job?
Federally you can earn up to the basic personal amount, $16,452 for 2026, before income tax applies, and your province has its own amount. But your employer takes tax, CPP and EI off each paycheque anyway. Filing a return gets the extra tax back. Try the take-home pay calculator with your own wage.
Are scholarships and student loans taxed?
Scholarships and bursaries are usually tax-free for a full-time student who qualifies for the education amount. You can also claim a credit for the interest you pay on a government student loan, and unused interest carries forward for five years. Only government loans count, so interest on a bank line of credit won’t qualify. If you move 40 km or more closer to school, you may deduct the moving costs against taxable awards; the moving expenses deduction calculator shows what that could save.
Should I open an RRSP while I’m a student?
Probably not yet. A deduction is worth the most when your income is high, and yours is likely low, so a TFSA often suits better. You can keep your RRSP deduction for later years. Check the options with the TFSA calculator.
Do I need to file if I owe nothing?
File every year. Even with no tax to pay, a return builds up the unused tuition you can carry forward, and it’s what gets benefits such as the GST/HST credit started once you’re eligible. If it’s your first time, filing your first tax return walks through the order, and the student checklist lists what to gather.
Where do I go from here?
Read the filing guide for the steps, the guide to benefits and credits for what else you may claim, and keep an eye on the tax calendar. The document checklist and the province index cover the rest.
The page is general information for students, not advice for your own return, and it can’t see your slips, status or province. We don’t prepare returns or speak for the CRA. If something here differs from a CRA letter or the school’s slip, trust the letter and the slip, and ask the CRA or a qualified preparer if you’re unsure.
Frequently asked questions
What is the T2202?
The slip your school gives you showing the tuition you paid. You use it to claim the tuition credit, and the school issues it by the end of February.
Can I give my tuition credit to a parent?
You can transfer part of it, up to $5,000 minus what you use yourself, to a parent, grandparent or spouse. Anything left over carries forward for you.
Are scholarships taxable?
For most full-time students, scholarships and bursaries are tax-free when you qualify for the education amount. Other awards can be taxable, so read the slip you receive.
Should I file if I earned very little?
Often yes. Filing can bring back tax that was taken off your pay, builds your credit carry-forwards and lets you claim the GST/HST credit if you are 19 or older.
Can I deduct student loan interest?
You can claim a credit for interest on a government student loan, and unused interest carries forward for five years. Interest on a bank line of credit or other private loan does not qualify.