So, you’re thinking about becoming a Registered Massage Therapist. You’ve looked at the program, started picturing yourself working in a clinic, and then the practical question comes up:
“Okay... but how am I going to pay for school?”
It’s a pretty important question.
Going back to school is a big financial commitment, especially if you’re
changing careers, have a family, a mortgage or rent, or just a lot of regular
expenses to keep up with.
There isn’t necessarily one
answer. Most students piece together their funding from a few different places,
depending on their situation.
Here are some places to start.
StudentAid BC
If you’re a B.C. resident,
StudentAid BC is a good first stop. Depending on your circumstances and the
current funding rules, you may be eligible for loans, grants, bursaries or
other financial assistance.
And don’t assume student aid is
only for people coming straight out of high school. Plenty of people go back to
school later, including those making a career change.
One thing to keep in mind: student
funding rules change. For 2026/27, there are changes affecting some students
attending private institutions, including eligibility for the Canada Student
Grant for Full-Time Students. If you’re planning to attend in a future year,
make sure you’re looking at the current rules rather than relying on
information from a previous application or something a friend told you.
Scholarships and bursaries
This is one people sometimes skip
because they assume they won’t qualify.
Don’t.
Not every scholarship is based on
grades. Some are based on financial need, community involvement, volunteer
work, career goals, leadership or particular circumstances. There are also
scholarships and bursaries offered by organizations, professional associations,
community groups and local foundations.
And smaller awards are still worth
applying for. A few $500 bursaries can add up surprisingly quickly.
A few places to look:
- ScholarshipsCanada
- StudentScholarships
- Yconic
- OVCMT scholarships
- Local community foundations
- Credit unions and service clubs such as Rotary, Lions
and Legion
- Professional associations
- Employers and former employers
- Indigenous education and community organizations
- Organizations connected to your previous career or
education
Also, check what’s available in
your own community. You may find opportunities there that don’t have hundreds
of applicants.
Talk to your bank or credit union
A student line of credit is
another option to look into if you need additional funding.
With a line of credit, you’re
approved for a certain amount but generally only borrow what you actually need.
The terms vary quite a bit between financial institutions, so ask questions
about interest rates, borrowing limits, repayment, co-signers and whether they
have programs specifically for students or professional training.
And don’t feel like you have to
use your current bank. It’s okay to compare your options.
Ask your employer
If you’re currently working, it’s
worth asking whether your employer offers tuition assistance, education
benefits or professional development funding.
Some workplaces have formal
programs. Others may be willing to work with you on scheduling, vacation time
or other arrangements while you’re in school.
You won’t know unless you ask.
Changing careers? Check WorkBC
If massage therapy is a career
change for you, talk to WorkBC.
Depending on your circumstances,
there may be employment or training supports available. Eligibility is specific
to each person, so a WorkBC advisor is the best person to talk to about what
might apply to you.
Don’t forget about money you may
already have
Before taking on more debt, have a
look at what resources you already have.
If your parents or grandparents
contributed to an RESP, find out whether there are funds available for your
education.
If you have an RRSP, the federal
Lifelong Learning Plan allows eligible individuals to withdraw money for
qualifying full-time education or training. There are limits and repayment
requirements, so make sure you understand the rules before deciding whether
it’s right for you.
And, of course, there’s your own
savings. Even having some money set aside before school starts can reduce the
amount you need to borrow.
Look at the whole cost of going to
school
Tuition is only part of the
equation.
Think about textbooks and
supplies, massage equipment, transportation, housing, food, phone and internet,
childcare, insurance and those inevitable unexpected expenses. (OVCMT's Budget in the application process will help you with this!)
Once you have a realistic idea of
what you’ll actually need, it’s much easier to figure out where the money will
come from.
For example, maybe you need another $10,000 to cover your school and living expenses. That doesn’t necessarily mean taking out a $10,000 loan. You might cover part of it through student aid, pick up some scholarships, use savings, work during a school break and use a line of credit for whatever is left.
Sometimes it’s a combination of
things that makes the difference.
Start looking before you need the
money
The earlier you start looking, the
more options you’ll have. Some scholarships have deadlines months before school
starts, and funding programs have their own application timelines and
requirements.
So if you’re seriously considering
massage therapy school, start doing a little digging now.
Check StudentAid BC. Look for
scholarships. Talk to your bank. Ask your employer. Check with WorkBC. Find out
if you have an RESP. Look at your RRSP options. See what’s available in your
community.
And if you’re considering OVCMT
and have questions about tuition, funding or the application process, our
Admissions team is happy to help.
You don’t need to have every
detail figured out before you start. Sometimes the first step is simply asking,
“What are my options?”
