February 9, 2025
5 min read mins read 
0 Comments As a student in 2025 these are Tax Tips for Students whether you’re attending post-secondary school full-time or part-time, there are several credits you can claim to boost your tax refund or reduce your tax bill. From tuition fees and student loan interest to moving costs, claiming these deductions can result in a better tax outcome for you.
We understand that taxes can be complicated, which is why TaxTribe’s experts are here to help you claim all the credits you’re entitled to.
Here’s what you should know when filing your 2024 tax return.
Don’t Forget to Claim Your Federal Tuition Tax Credit
The federal tuition tax credit is a key benefit for post-secondary students. Even if you didn’t earn income in 2024, you can still claim this credit for eligible tuition fees (over $100) paid for your courses. This also includes fees for courses aimed at improving skills for a job, as long as the institution is certified by Employment and Social Development Canada. You can even claim the cost of professional exams if you have the receipt.
Make sure to track down your T2202 certificate, which proves how much tuition you paid for the year. You can typically download this form from your school’s online portal by the end of February.
Note: The T2202 certificate replaced the T2202A and TL11B forms starting with the 2019 tax year.
If you don’t need to use the full credit amount this year, you can carry it forward for future use or transfer up to $5,000 to a family member (like a spouse, common-law partner, parent, or grandparent) to reduce their taxes.
Have You Applied for the Canada Training Credit?
The Canada training credit is available if you paid eligible tuition or fees for post-secondary courses in 2024. To qualify, you need to be between 25 and 65 and have a Canada training limit based on your reported income. For 2024, the limit is $1,250, up from $1,000 in 2023. You can find your Canada training limit on your 2023 Notice of Assessment.
The Canada training credit is refundable, meaning if your credit exceeds the tax you owe, you’ll get the difference as a refund. Unlike the non-refundable tuition tax credit, which only reduces the tax you owe, this one can result in a refund.
You can claim both the tuition tax credit and the Canada training credit in the same year, but be aware that the Canada training credit reduces the amount of tuition tax credit you can claim, transfer to a family member, or carry forward.
Keep in Mind: Some Credits Were Discontinued
A few years ago, Alberta, Ontario, and Saskatchewan eliminated their tuition and education credits. If you have any unused provincial tuition amounts from these credits, you can still carry them forward to future returns.
Similarly, the federal education and textbook amounts were removed in 2017. However, you can still claim unused amounts from previous years on your 2024 return to reduce your taxes owed.
Remember, carryforward amounts can’t be transferred to a family member and can only be claimed by you, the student.
Some Provinces Still Offer Tuition Credits
If you’re eligible for the federal tuition tax credit, you might also be able to claim provincial tuition credits in certain areas, including:
Claim the Interest on Your Student Loans
Did you know the interest paid on your student loans can reduce your tax burden? You can claim the interest paid in 2024 or any of the previous 5 years, as long as the loan is issued under one of these acts:
This doesn’t apply to personal loans, combined loans, or loans from other countries.
You can carry forward unused interest for up to 5 years, but these amounts can’t be transferred to anyone else — only you can claim them.
Are You a Student with a Disability?
Students with disabilities may qualify for extra credits. If you (or your parents, if you’re still a dependent) are claiming the disability tax credit, you might also be eligible for the student disability credit.
Additionally, if you require special equipment, like a page-turner device or note-taking services, you may be able to claim those costs as a disability support deduction, either federally or in Quebec.
Are You a Parent and a Student?
If you’re a student and a parent who needed to pay for childcare to attend school, you might be eligible to claim those expenses on your federal and/or Quebec return. This includes daycare, babysitting, camps, and similar costs.
Claim Your Moving Expenses
If you moved more than 40 kilometers for school in 2024, you may qualify to claim moving expenses. This covers expenses such as transportation, storage, travel, and temporary accommodation. To claim these expenses, you need to be a full-time student and have earned income related to your move (e.g., a taxable scholarship, grant, or prize).
Scholarship Exemption
Scholarships, grants, and bursaries are often tax-free for students, depending on whether you’re full-time or part-time. If you were a full-time student between 2023 and 2024, you can generally receive tax-free financial awards as long as they don’t exceed your living expenses and other program-related costs.
Part-time students get a $500 exemption plus the amount paid for tuition and program materials. However, if you’re a part-time student with a disability, you qualify for the same scholarship exemption as full-time students.
Note that research grants are taxable, but you can deduct related expenses (travel, lodging, etc.) when you report this income on your tax return.
TaxTribe is here to help you navigate these credits and deductions, ensuring you get every penny you deserve!
