Common Questions

The loan may be used for:

• Short-term (two years or less) training
• Exam fees with a professional governing association
• Travel expenses to write an exam
• Qualification assessments
• Professional association fees
• Books and course materials
• English or French language courses specific to employment
• Living allowance during study time (if you need to quit your job or reduce your hours during study time)
• Other related expenses

No. Any immigrant who will incur costs in order to work again in the occupation they had in their home country may apply. Tradespeople, skilled workers and professionals are all encouraged to apply. Read our eligibility requirements to learn more.

No, you do not have to be returning to the exact same position. We support immigrants who are returning to their previous field or a related field. For instance, if you were a dentist you could apply for a loan to help with the costs of becoming a dental hygienist.

Windmill loans cannot be used to help you start a career in a new field.

Yes, but only if you are underemployed (working at a level much lower than someone with your education or experience should be).

Windmill has a loan program for refugees/protected persons to limit their financial burden as they strive to resettle in Canada. Refugees or protected persons may apply for the Windmill Refugee Loan Program within three years from the time they have attained a Refugee Status in Canada to the date of their application at Windmill.

We can lend to people living anywhere in Canada, except for those who live in Quebec.

Our process is designed so that you can be assessed and approved for a loan anywhere in Canada, except Quebec. However, if you live in Calgary, Edmonton, or Toronto, you can meet with our staff in person, if you prefer that over Skype™ or phone.

Not usually, but it may be allowed if you very recently paid for licensing/training costs on your credit card, and can show us that you did.

Loans may be used to help pay short term living expenses if you need to quit your job or reduce your hours at work while you are attending school or studying for exams.

You may borrow up to $10,000. Most people don’t need that much, though. The average loan is around $6,000.

The interest rate is the RBC Prime rate plus 1.5%, set quarterly. We are proud we have been able to keep the interest rate low (it is not uncommon for micro loan programs to charge up to 10% above prime).

The interest we charge you helps replenish the loan fund if some of the loans are not paid back, and pays for the interest and bank charges we have to pay.

Aside from paying the interest charged to us and bank fees, we have been able to keep payments of principal and interest in the loan fund, helping to ensure the sustainability of the loan fund. Future loan recipients will benefit from the interest paid by today’s recipients.

No. The Windmill program is run by non-profit societies whose operating expenses are covered from other sources. All loan interest goes to the loan fund to provide loans to future applicants, to cover defaulted loans, to pay for the interest Windmill pays if it has borrowed the money it lends out, and to pay bank service charges.

Read our loan terms and conditions to learn more about paying your loan back.