CUA - Skilled Trades Banking Program

Equipping You With the Financial Support 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 finance options for NSCC students.

In addition, CUA is pleased 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

This Program is available 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 consists of:

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 three 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 7.95%.

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 the 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 to support other financial needs.

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

This Program is available to students attending any of the programs within the NSCC School of Trades and Transportation, and consists of:

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 to support other financial needs.

Skilled Trades Banking Program

Equipping You With the Financial Support You Need

Skilled Trades Self-Employed Program

Skilled Trades Student Program

Questions?