An analysis of student financial aid in Canada says those who need it the most are probably getting less than was available 10 years ago.

In a report, the Canada Millennium Scholarship Foundation says that despite record increases in financial aid from governments, students are merely making up ground lost during earlier cutbacks.

The report says tax credits offered by the federal and provincial governments, along with postgraduation tax rebates, favor more-affluent students.

Financial aid from all levels of government reached 7.1 billion Canadian dollars, or about $5.9-billion, in 2007. But for every dollar provided in need-based loans and grants in 2006-7, the report says, governments spent 61 cents on education tax credits and savings grants, compared with 21 cents in 1996-97.

The report also notes, however, that students are receiving less aid in loans and more in nonrepayable grants. —Karen Birchard