A research report on financial aid to maritime student (those in the Maritime Provinces) enrolled in postsecondary education in Canada is presented in English and French versions. The study was designed to: (1) prepare a historical perspective of and rationale for programs of financial assistance to students; (2) review and compare existing student aid programs in Canada and in other countries, including objectives, sources of funds, repayment methods, and policy in related fields (e.g., social welfare, manpower allowances); (3) review the costs and benefits and their interrelationships in programs of student assistance; (4) obtain necessary data and analyze existing student aid programs on the basis of a number of relevant factors; (5) obtain data and analyze accessibility for various socioeconomic and geographic groups; (6) obtain data and analyze existing financial assistance programs for students involved in continuous learning; (7) evaluate current programs of financial aid on the basis of seven criteria; and (8) make recommendations on programs of financial assistance to students including proposals on objectives, policies, and administrative procedures. Recommendations are offered concerning: maximum aid, distribution of aid, two tracks for purposes of application and assessment, and parental contribution. Included is a recommendation that a loan remission scheme be introduced that eventually would be common to all three Maritime Provinces. Appendices include a bibliography and a comparison among the existing student aid programs across Canada. (SW)