Student Financial Assistance
Provided by: Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC)
Service Description
Provides resources and services to help individuals save, plan, and pay for post-secondary education. Loans and grants are available to help students with a demonstrated financial need access post-secondary education. Offered in partnership with provincial government.
Repayment of loans is through the National Student Loan Service Centre (NSLSC). Amount of monthly payment can be increased or decreased, interest rate options changed, and additional payments made online through NSLSC. (Note that by lowering payments or extending repayment time, you will pay more interest on your loan.) Individuals may delay repayment and keep loans interest free if they are a reservist in school or on a Canadian Forces designated operation, or in school and need to take leave from studies for medical or parental reasons. Depending on income, individuals may qualify for reduced payments or no payments at all by applying for the Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP) or Repayment Assistance Plan for Borrowers with Disabilities (RAP-D). If on RAP-D, government will pay down the principal and interest that reduced monthly payments do not cover. Applications for RAP can start as soon as the repayment period starts and any time while in repayment. Individuals must reapply every six months. Student debt may be cancelled through the Severe Permanent Disability Benefit (SPDB). NSLSC live chat is available online from 7 am to 3 pm PST Monday to Friday.
Repayment of loans is through the National Student Loan Service Centre (NSLSC). Amount of monthly payment can be increased or decreased, interest rate options changed, and additional payments made online through NSLSC. (Note that by lowering payments or extending repayment time, you will pay more interest on your loan.) Individuals may delay repayment and keep loans interest free if they are a reservist in school or on a Canadian Forces designated operation, or in school and need to take leave from studies for medical or parental reasons. Depending on income, individuals may qualify for reduced payments or no payments at all by applying for the Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP) or Repayment Assistance Plan for Borrowers with Disabilities (RAP-D). If on RAP-D, government will pay down the principal and interest that reduced monthly payments do not cover. Applications for RAP can start as soon as the repayment period starts and any time while in repayment. Individuals must reapply every six months. Student debt may be cancelled through the Severe Permanent Disability Benefit (SPDB). NSLSC live chat is available online from 7 am to 3 pm PST Monday to Friday.
