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The Windmill loans may be used to fund your Career Success Plan, which could include:

• Education and training programs of two years or less, including courses to help you advance your career
• Fees for licensing and qualifying exams
• Living allowance¹ to support you during your training, licensing, or relocation
• Credentials assessments (e.g. WES, ICAS, IQAS, or MIFI)
• Relocation costs for employment
• Travel expenses to take courses or exams not available in your area
• Books, course materials, and work equipment
• Professional association fees

Note: A Windmill loan cannot be used for business start-up costs and/or to pay off other debt or debt consolidation.

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¹ Living allowance will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.

• Current immigration documents to confirm your immigration status (expired documents will not be accepted)
• Prior Training/Education documents to verify your education history
• Evidence of the educational program you plan to take e.g. admission/ registration/ enrollment letter
• Banking information for the funds to be deposited
• Government-Issued Photo ID to confirm your identity
• Proof of Address
• Photograph of yourself holding your government-issued photo ID (the ID must be clearly legible in the photo)
• Resume (recommended)

Click here to see examples and details of some of the documents you need.

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*Learning Institutions outside of Canada are not eligible unless a Canadian professional body recognizes the program for licensing purposes.

• ‍Check your eligibility
  Start by reviewing our eligibility criteria, then take the eligibility quiz to see if you qualify.
• ‍ Complete your application
  If you're eligible, the quiz will direct you to the full application form.
• Submit your documents
  To review your application, we’ll need supporting documents to verify your identity and how the loan will be used, such as for a study program, exam, or assessment and any other expenses you may require support with. Use our document checklist to prepare.
• Application review and mandatory credit check
  We’ll review your application and documents, and run a credit check through Equifax (that you consented to during the application form). Like other lenders, this helps us confirm your financial health.
• Book your coaching session
  If eligible, you’ll be invited to a 30-minute virtual coaching session. Book quickly as spots are limited. This session offers career guidance, financial literacy tips, and more. It’s a required step before we can proceed with final loan review.
• Loan review and decision
  Your coach will submit your file to our Loan Review Committee. You’ll receive a decision within 7 business days.
• Loan approval and disbursement
  If approved, you’ll receive a loan agreement to sign. Funds will be deposited into your bank account within a few business days.

A Windmill loan cannot be used for the following:

• Buying a car or repaying a car loan
• Personal loans or other personal expenses that are not related to your education or licensing
• Starting or funding a business
• Consolidating debt or paying off money you owe from other loans or credit cards
• Personal travel
• Fees for immigration application
• Costs to sponsor someone for immigration

The loan review process can take up to 10 to 15 business days after we receive your complete application, including all supporting documents. This timeline may vary depending on your individual situation, how quickly you provide all required documents, and how soon you book your coaching session. The coaching session helps us understand your need for the loan, as well as your plan for study, exams, or credential assessments.

Yes, we will pull your credit history as it shows how well you manage money and repay loans in Canada. Most banks and lenders use credit scores to understand a person’s financial health. At Windmill, we check your credit history through Equifax. When you filled out the Windmill application, you gave us permission to do this by clicking the consent box.

However, if you are new to Canada and don’t have a credit score yet, that’s okay. Even if your credit score is zero, we can still assess your loan application. We’re here to support newcomers and understand that building credit takes time.

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Windmill loans are designed to be flexible and supportive of your journey. While you're studying, you are only required to make small, interest-only payments. Once you finish your learning plan, your payments will go up to include both principal and interest, at a time when you’re likely earning more.

At any point in time, if you would like to review your payment schedule or history, you can access this information in your client portal or contact our Loan Management team at loanmanagement@teamwindmill.org for assistance.