The primary responsibility for financing a course lies with the student’s legal guardians.
However, to ensure access to training for all, students can apply for a study grant if their means are insufficient.
This aid can be applied for by anyone undertaking a first post-compulsory training course, and in some cantons second courses can also be funded.
Grants are only available for state-recognized courses such as Swiss Matura.

A scholarship is a non-refundable grant. So, if you obtain your training title or abandon your training for good reason, you won’t be asked to repay it.
Otherwise, it’s a student loan.
However, these conditions are specific to each canton or foundation.
In some cases, they may require partial repayment on completion of the course.

There are two types of scholarship:

• Cantons: These depend on each canton, and may vary in terms of assistance and/or willingness to help.
  Eligibility conditions vary according to each situation.
  They all require the same information, such as tax returns, family situation, etc.

• Private scholarships: These are generally available in each canton.
  These scholarships are valid for students living in the canton.
  To obtain them, you need to make the same requests as for cantonal scholarships.
  In some cases, you can ask the cantonal guidance office for a list of foundations offering scholarships.

Exceptionally, the SEFRI can also grant scholarships.

These are loans that can be taken out with a financial institution or the canton.
As the name suggests, they must be repaid.

Cantonal loans are not the same as grants.
They must be repaid at the end of the course.
Terms and conditions vary from canton to canton.
They are generally granted in lieu of a bursary.
Their interest rate is 0%.
Like the latter, loan conditions depend on each canton.
They apply to state-recognized courses such as Swiss Matura.

The banks with the best rates are :

• BCVS
• Migros

You can find all the information by following the links above.

They can be applied for in any canton , provided you meet certain criteria or are already enrolled.
In many cases, the entire program is paid for. Having already (had) several policyholders from the cantons of
Geneva,
Vaud, Fribourg, Valais, Jura and Neuchâtel.

These aids are generally intended for people who, for medical reasons, are unable to attend a traditional school.
Further information can be found in the disability insurance benefits document.

Generally speaking, these are additional grants provided by the canton.
The most generous canton is Geneva.
They can take the form of reimbursement of school fees or monthly vouchers.
They do not cover the entire cost of training, but can ease the financial burden.
Some also offer support courses or material assistance.

The best way to find out is to visit your canton’s website or contact your local council.