Now that you’ve decided to take on Canada’s dental equivalency process and achieve your dream of becoming a dentist in Canada, you are faced with another major question: how do I pay for the exams and courses I will need to pass? And it’s not as if the NDEB process is cheap. The direct and related costs can mount up to a significant investment — albeit an investment that has the potential to pay off with great rewards. So, if you are wondering what options you have, here is an exhaustive list we have compiled to help you figure out how to finance your NDEB process in 2023.
1) FCR Loans Programs
Foreign Credential Recognition or FDR loan programs are funded by the government. The interest rate on these loans varies, but it is usually around prime + 1% to 2%. FCR loans provide a line of credit of up to $15,000 and are paid back like normal loans. In the list below, you will find some FCR Loans programs and consultants we have worked with in the past to help finance your NDEB journey. If you are not eligible for the programs listed below, we recommend visiting immigration information centres in your area and inquiring about local foreign loan credential programs for financing.
Basic requirements to qualify:
NDEB registration approval
PR / Approved Refugee / Canadian Citizenship
Study Plan
Our recommended programs:
Achēv
Contact: Ruwaida Al-Kubaisi (Career & Training Counsellor)
Foreign Credential Recognition Loans Program
50 Burnhamthorpe Rd W #300, Mississauga, ON L5B 3C2
Email: ral-kubaisi@tcet.com
Phone: (647) 394- 5978
Access Community Capital Fund
401 Richmond St. W, Suite 375, Toronto, ON, M5V 3A8
Email: info@accessccf.com
Phone: (416) 462-0496
Progressive Intercultural Community Services Society (PICS)
Surrey Head Office: #205 12725 80th Avenue, Surrey, BC, V3W 3A6
Phone: (604) 596-7722
Immigrant Services Society of British Columbia
2610 Victoria Dr. Vancouver, BC V5N 4L2
info@issbc.org
(604) 684-2561
Welland Heritage Council and Multicultural Center
26 East Main St. Welland, ON L3B 3W3
Toll-Free: 1 (888)-764-9041
info@wellandheritagecouncil.com
The Learning Enrichment Foundation
116 Industry Street M6M 4L8, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
(416) 769-0830
2) Charitable organizations supporting internationally trained dentists (ITDs)
Featured in this section are charitable organizations like Windmill Microlending. This Canada-wide non-profit offers affordable loans of up to $15,000 to help skilled immigrants and refugees pay for the costs of accreditation, qualifying exams, education, training, professional association fees, and even the cost of living and child care while you study. Windmill is supported by the Government of Canada and financial institutions across the country.
About Windmill Microlending
For internationally trained dentists (ITDs) located in any part of Canada, Windmill can provide low-interest loans to help you pay for the costs associated with your licensure process. Not to mention, 2023 brings with it a new lower interest rate.
As of January 1, 2023, Windmill Microlending is offering all new loans at a fixed interest rate of 5.95% for the entire loan duration. This is a great opportunity for all international dentists to get the cheapest financing option since OSAP and a student line of credit.
They are partners with CIBC offering a variable rate loan of up to $100,000 CAD specifically customized for ITDs on their journey to get accredited in Canada. Just registering with the NDEB will get you access to $25,000 CAD with Windmill Microlending. After completing AFK, you will have access to a further $10,000 CAD, and once you have cleared ACJ, another $50,000 CAD is available (all from CIBC). That could be a huge help for the financial challenges that the NDECC® exam will bring. Once your NDEB equivalency process is complete, you will have another $15,000 CAD to help you prepare for the Virtual OSCE® exam and any other costs you might encounter as you enter the Canadian dental job market. Learn more: https://windmillmicrolending.org/cibc/.
Basic Eligibility:
To be eligible for a Windmill microloan, you must:
Be internationally trained or have a minimum of one year of post-secondary work experience before coming to Canada.
Currently be living in Canada as a Permanent Resident, Provincial Nominee, Canadian Citizen, Protected Person, or Convention Refugee.
Contact: info@teamwindmill.org
1 (855)-423-2262 (Toll-free from anywhere in Canada)
Or visit: www.windmillmicrolending.org
Servus-Bredin Microloans
The Servus-Bredin Microloans program provides loans of up to $15,000 to finance and support internationally educated professionals to continue, restart or advance their careers in Canada. The microloans can be used for:
Exam fees and licensing cost
Professional fees and skills upgrading
Books, laptop, study materials and work equipment
Education and training programs of two years or less
English language training as a pre-requisite for your studies
Key Features:
An interest of Prime + 1.5%
Build credit history in Canada
Available to clients across Alberta
A manageable repayment period of up to four years with no penalty for an early payment
Applicants must have a licensure/education plan
Repayment for approved loans is 45-days after the loan is issued
The maximum amount available for each applicant is $15,000. If applicants also have microloans from other programs, the total amount borrowed from all the programs together cannot be more than $15,000. If applicants pay back their first microloan, they may be eligible for another through the program.
Basic Eligibility:
Have the right to live and work in Canada
Be a resident of Alberta
Have professional-level education or training obtained outside of Canada
Have sufficient income or resources to make repayments on the microloan
Contact: Sahar Ghanem at Sahar.ghanem@bredin.ca, or you may submit a form on their website here.
3) Private Banks – CIBC’s ITD Banking Bundle
This loan provides a line of credit of up to $100,000 in intervals and bundles it with some attractive offers. As mentioned above, CIBC is now in partnership with Windmill Microlending, meaning that if you haven’t cleared the AFK exam, you would need to start with Windmill. After completing AFK, you will be able to apply for this much larger loan that will help you complete the process.
Basic requirements to qualify:
NDEB registration approval
Permanent Residency / Canadian Citizenship
650 or above credit score
Study plan
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