CUA - Skilled Trades Banking Program

Equipping You With the Financial Tools You Need

While you’re busy developing the skills and knowledge to build a successful career in skilled trades, you shouldn’t have to stress about how to cover the costs of your tuition, books or tools. To give you a hand with your expenses, we offer an exclusive program, with two unique streams, that provides financing for NSCC students.

In addition to financing options, CUA is proud to offer financial literacy sessions to support students in the trades with knowledge about personal finance. These are conducted in partnership with the Halifax Regional Centre for Education (HRCE) and various Skilled Trade Unions.

Skilled Trades Self-Employed Program

CUA's Skilled Trades Student Program is open to recent graduates and students in their final year of study in any of the programs within the NSCC School of Trades and Transportation who are, or are planning to be, self-employed within their trade sector. It includes the following components:

Business Banking – Get discounted business banking with up to a $35 rebate on the monthly fee of a myBusiness Chequing account (Level 1 - 5), for one year. Requires verification of active business license.

Day to Day Banking – Get free personal banking with a $16.95 rebate on the monthly fee of a myChequing Unlimited account while you're employed as a skilled tradesperson for up to 3 years. Requires annual verification of employment.

Trade Equipment Term Loan – If you apply for and are approved for a personal fixed rate term loan to purchase trade-related equipment, receive a preferred interest rate of Prime + 3.0%.

Students must be in their final year of an NSCC skilled trades program, and proof of graduation eligibility is required.
Maximum term loan amount of $20,000.
No co-signor required, provided credit history qualification criteria is met.
Disbursed directly to equipment vendor.
There is no penalty for extra payment or early repayment of the Term Loan. You can make payments at any time and in any amount.

Additional Financing Opportunities – Upon graduation, get access to additional financing opportunities to purchase a home or car.

Small Business Loan Guarantee Program – Get financing up to $500,000 in the form of term loans, working capital or lines of credit to start your own business, purchase a small business or expand an existing business.

Skilled Trades Student Program

CUA's Skilled Trades Student Program is open to students attending any of the programs within the NSCC School of Trades and Transportation, and includes the following components:

Day to Day Banking – Free banking with a myChequing Student account while you're in post-secondary school.

Skilled Trades Student Line of Credit – If you apply for and are approved for a personal line of credit, receive a preferred interest rate of Prime + 1.0%.

Get up to $10,000 per year of study. For example, receive $20,000 for a two year program, with $10,000 released each year.
No co-signor required, provided credit history qualification criteria is met.
Have instant and ongoing access to cash to help cover the cost of your tuition, books, tools and day to day expenses.
Make interest-only payments while you're attending school and during your apprenticeship period. There is no penalty for extra payment or early repayment of the Student Line of Credit. You can make payments at any time and in any amount.
Upon graduation, you can convert your Student Line of Credit to a Personal Line of Credit or extend your amortization period based on the amount borrowed.

Additional Financing Opportunities – Upon graduation, get access to additional financing opportunities to start your own business or purchase a home or car.

Skilled Trades Banking Program

Equipping You With the Financial Tools You Need

Skilled Trades Self-Employed Program

Skilled Trades Student Program

Questions?