Repay a student loan – Repayment assistance
COVID-19
Due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, there are changes to this program.
Please read our latest notices
If you’re having trouble making payments, you can first try to reduce the amount you pay each month.
Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP)
If you have trouble paying your loan, you can apply to have the federal and your provincial or territorial governments help you by paying towards your loan through these plans:
- the Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP)
- the Repayment Assistance Plan for Borrowers with a Permanent Disability (RAP-PD)
Depending on your financial situation and whether you stay in a repayment assistance plan, the balance of your loan will be gradually paid off through your contributions and contributions from the governments. If you have a permanent disability, the expenses related to your permanent disability will also be taken into account.
Severe and permanent disability
If you have a severe and permanent disability, you may be able to have your student debt cancelled through the Severe Permanent Disability Benefit.
You could be eligible if your disability prevents you from working in a gainful way for the rest of your life.
Family doctors and nurses
If you are working as a family doctor, resident in family medicine, nurse or nurse practitioner in an under-served rural or remote community, you may be eligible for assistance to repay all or part of your student loans.
Over a period of 5 years, family doctors or residents in family medicine could receive up to $40,000 in loan forgiveness. Nurses or nurse practitioners could receive up to $20,000.
Canadian Forces reservists
If you are a reservist in the Canadian Forces in a designated operation, you do not have to make payments on Canada Student Loans or provincial or territorial student loans.
Contact us to discuss your options
Whether you already missed a loan payment or not, contact us to discuss your options and get advice on the type of help that might be available:
- contact the National Student Loans Service Centre (NSLSC)
- if you live in Alberta, Manitoba, Nova Scotia or Prince Edward Island, also contact your provincial or territorial loan provider
Report a problem or mistake on this page
- Date modified: