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HOME / POST SECONDARY AND CONTINUING EDUCATION / STUDENT FINANCIAL SERVICES /

How much are parents expected to contribute?

The term parent refers to parent(s), common-law partners of parents, step-parent(s) or guardian(s).

Part of the application form deals with parental contribution. If you are a “dependent” student, your parents may be expected to make a contribution toward the cost of your education. The term parent refers to parent(s), common-law partners of parents, step-parent(s) or guardian(s). See dependent student category for information on student category.

If your parents are separated or divorced, the family income would be from the parent that you live with most of the time. If this parent remarries or enters into a common-law relationship before your 18th birthday, your step-parent or common-law parent is also financially responsible and his or her 2008 income will be included in calculating your financial need.

An expected parental contribution for a dependent student will be based on the family’s size, level of income and the number of children attending a post-secondary institution. Include in your family size all dependent children and children in post-secondary education.

Complete the following calculations to find out the amount your parents are expected to contribute.

1. Calculate Discretionary Income
   
   To calculate discretionary income from the total family income use line 150 of parent(s) 2008 Income Tax and Benefits Return(s) and subtract the following:
   
   
   • The total CPP and EI contributions paid (lines 308 & 312 on Federal Tax Schedule 1)
   • The total income tax payable (line 435 on T1) and
   • A moderate standard of living for P.E.I. based on family size (see table below)
   
   
   

   Discretionary Income Formula
   Total Family Income	-	Total CPP & EI Contributions	-	Total Income Tax Payable	-	Moderate Standard of Living	=	Discretionary Income

   
   
   

   Parents Moderate Standard of Living Allowance
   Family Size	MSOL	Family Size	MSOL
   2	$34,314	6	$59,539
   3	$43,623	7	$63,077
   4	$50,230	8	$66,141
   5	$55,352	9	$68,848

   
   MSOL = Moderate Standard of Living Allowance
   
   
   
2. Calculate Expected Weekly Parental Contribution
   
   Using your parents Discretionary Income figure, refer to the table below to determine which formula to use to find your parents expected weekly parental contribution.
   
   

   Expected Weekly Parental Contribution Formula
   If Annual Discretionary Income is:	Weekly Parental Contribution
   $0 - $7,000	(15% of Discretionary Income)/52
   $7,001 - $14,000	(1,750 + 20% of (Discretionary Income - 7,000))/52
   $14,001 and over	(5,250 + 40% of (Discretionary Income - 14,000))/52

   
   
   
3. Calculate Expected Parental Contribution
   
   

   Weekly Parental Contribution

   x

   # of weeks in study period

   ÷

   # of dependents in family (including student) who are currently attending post-secondary education

   =

   Expected Parental Contribution