You 'need' $10,000 CAD and full financial aid from the US student loan program in order to even possibly be approved.
I just got a student permit approved this past month, during my interview the officer refused to give me the study permit - as a US citizen moving only a few hours north from Pittsburgh - until I proved I had further 'resources', namely my mother and father.
So expect a high ceiling, make sure someone you are close to can sponsor you and write a letter. The immigration officer will ask you very personal information, and they demand statement copies of anything backing you via your own accounts or friends, etc.
Just be prepared, all in all I had to prove a hell of a lot of money was backing me before they even looked at me, and I am only doing a 1 year Ontario College Certificate program. I can imagine the multi-year programs or university degrees are that much harder.
Good luck!
Edit: BTW, you must be very serious about moving to Canada. Its not an easy task, and its not for the lighthearted. You get zero breaks for being a US citizen (which I think is ludicrous because of NAFTA, which means crap to individuals... Only helps companies do intra-company transfers). You must be willing to accept serious, significant steps back in your life if you want to eventually take the leap forward and be privileged to call yourself a Canadian. If you go the educational pathway, you will be required to sap significant savings, you will have to forgo the ability to have a full income, full time job, and you will have to possibly sap yourself with significant student loan debt (although the US based FAFSA application and US based loan system is fully compatible with schools internationally, especially Canada).
I'm giving up significant savings and making significant steps back in my personal life, for example I'm renting a room instead of renting my own apartment when I move to Toronto this August. I'm giving up higher income potential for the next year at minimum... Its a requirement if you are serious about moving, because you will not and are not going to have the rights of a Canadian citizen on any level. Just remember that, and you'll be fine if you can live with the negatives. It won't always be like that, but until you get permanent resident status it will be.
BTW, you will also be dehumanized somewhere along the process. I've even had an immigration officer tell me that I need to get my life in order in a shrewd, rude tone. On my permanent application they misspelled my name on the rejection letter... These people treat you as a number, but they are also gatekeepers. They really don't represent Canada, they just keep you from getting there.
You've got to accept some realities because it isn't a pretty, straightforward process. Its a process ridden with rule changes, heartache, and dehumanizing experiences. But its worth it if you truly value what Canada is and what Canada stands for.
For me its worth it.
