How to Finance Canadian Dental Equivalency in 2022

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 dental equivalency process in 2022.

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 within the past. 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.

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, a Canada-wide non-profit that 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, even 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.

They are partners with CIBC offering a variable rate loan specifically customized for ITDs on their journey to get accredited in Canada. Learn more: https://windmillmicrolending.org/cibc/

Basic Eligibility:

To be eligible for a Windmill microloan, you must:

Be an immigrant and a Permanent Resident, Protected Person, Convention Refugee, Provincial Nominee, Canadian Citizen or Temporary Foreign Worker with an open work permit*.

Be an internationally trained individual requiring licensing, re-training, or relocation to achieve your career goals.

Have landed in Canada.

Not have an undischarged bankruptcy.

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 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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