Official Guidelines Updated: March 2026
Key Facts for 2025–2026:
The Canada Student Loan for Part-Time Students has an outstanding lifetime limit of $10,000 — there is no weekly borrowing limit. It covers tuition, books, and supplies only; living expenses are not included in the part-time needs assessment. A separate application form is required. Federal student loans remain permanently interest-free on the federal portion.
For working Canadians who want to go back to school without giving up their job or income, the Canada Student Loan for Part-Time Students can help bridge the financial gap. Unlike the full-time loan, this program is structured around a rolling lifetime limit rather than a weekly borrowing cap — and it uses a separate application process designed specifically for part-time study.
When you apply for a part-time loan, you are also automatically assessed for the Canada Student Grant for Part-Time Students (up to $2,520/year) and the Canada Student Grant for Part-Time Students with Dependants (up to $2,688/year, if applicable) — non-repayable funding that reduces how much you need to borrow.
Full-Time vs. Part-Time — Key Differences
| Feature | Full-Time Loan | Part-Time Loan |
|---|---|---|
| Borrowing limit | $300/week (up to $10,200/year) | $10,000 outstanding lifetime limit |
| Living expenses covered? | Yes | No — tuition, books & supplies only |
| Application | Provincial student aid application | Separate part-time application form |
| Payment-free while studying? | Yes — automatically | Yes — if you confirm part-time enrolment |
| Interest on federal portion? | None — permanently eliminated | None — permanently eliminated |
| Course load required | 60%+ of full course load | 20–59% of full course load |
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for the Canada Student Loan for Part-Time Students, you must meet the following requirements:
- Be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or protected person.
- Have a valid Social Insurance Number (SIN).
- Be enrolled part-time — generally between 20% and 59% of a full course load at a designated institution.
- Be enrolled in an eligible program at a designated institution that participates in the Canada Student Financial Assistance Program.
- Demonstrate financial need for assistance with tuition, books, and supplies.
- Have a family income below the applicable income threshold for your family size.
- Be in good standing on any previous Canada Student Loans — prior defaults will affect eligibility for new funding.
- Not be a resident of the Northwest Territories, Nunavut, or Quebec — these provinces and territories administer their own student financial assistance programs.
Pro Tip:
You do not need to also have a part-time Canada Student Loan to receive the Canada Student Grant for Part-Time Students. If you only need grant funding, your grant application can be submitted and assessed independently of any loan request.
How Much Can You Borrow?
The part-time loan works differently from the full-time loan. Instead of a weekly borrowing cap, it operates on an outstanding lifetime limit of $10,000. This means:
- You can borrow up to $10,000 in total outstanding part-time loan debt at any one time.
- If you make repayments and reduce your outstanding balance, you can borrow again — up to the $10,000 ceiling.
- The amount you receive for any given study period is based on your assessed need for tuition, books, and supplies, and will not exceed that assessed need.
Unlike the full-time loan, living expenses are not factored into the part-time needs assessment. The loan is intended to cover direct education costs only.
What Is Covered?
| Covered ✓ | Not Covered ✗ |
|---|---|
| Tuition fees | Rent and housing |
| Books and course materials | Food and groceries |
| Student supplies and fees | Transportation |
| Childcare | |
| Other living expenses |
How to Apply
The part-time loan uses a separate application form — the Part-Time Canada Student Grant and Loan Application — rather than the standard provincial student aid application used for full-time funding. To apply:
- Download the Part-Time Canada Student Grant and Loan Application 2025–2026 from Canada.ca, or contact your province or territory’s student financial assistance office to obtain it.
- Complete the application and submit it to your province or territory’s student financial assistance office.
- Your school will need to confirm your enrolment before your funding can be released.
Some provinces — including Ontario, British Columbia, Saskatchewan, New Brunswick, and Newfoundland and Labrador — have integrated application portals where part-time funding may be accessible alongside full-time applications. Check with your provincial office for their specific process.
Interest and Repayment
- Permanently interest-free: As of April 1, 2023, the federal government permanently eliminated interest on Canada Student Loans. There is no interest on the federal portion of your part-time loan, whether you are studying or repaying.
- Payment-free while studying part-time: If you confirm your part-time enrolment with the National Student Loans Service Centre (NSLSC), your part-time loan will be placed in payment-free status while you are studying. You must confirm enrolment each study period to maintain this status.
- Important — full-time loans are not deferred: If you have outstanding full-time Canada Student Loans and transition to part-time study, those full-time loans are not automatically deferred. You will be required to continue repaying your full-time loan while studying part-time. Contact the NSLSC to understand your obligations.
- Six-month non-repayment period: Once you finish your part-time studies, repayment begins six months later.
Important:
If you default on a part-time Canada Student Loan (270+ days of missed payments), your eligibility for both future part-time and full-time student funding is affected. Contact the NSLSC immediately if you are having trouble making payments — the Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP) may be able to reduce or eliminate your payments.
Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP)
If you struggle to make payments after graduation, the Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP) is available for part-time loan holders, just as it is for full-time borrowers. RAP can reduce your monthly payment to an affordable amount — or to $0 — based on your income and family size. Single borrowers earning under $40,000 per year may qualify for zero payments. Apply through your NSLSC account at any time once repayment begins. RAP is approved in 6-month periods and must be renewed.
Other Federal Financial Aid Options
A part-time loan works best alongside non-repayable support. When you apply, you are automatically assessed for the Canada Student Grant for Part-Time Students (up to $2,520/year) and, if you have dependants, the Canada Student Grant for Part-Time Students with Dependants (up to $2,688/year). You may also be eligible for Federal Student Scholarships and Federal Student Bursaries.
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