Official Guidelines Updated: March 2026
Important Update for 2025–2026:
As of April 1, 2023, the federal government permanently eliminated interest on Canada Student Loans and Canada Apprentice Loans. You will never pay interest on your federal student loan — during your studies or after. Note that provincial loans may still carry interest depending on your province.
For many Canadians, student loans are the bridge between where they are and where they want to go. Canada Student Loans are federal loans available to eligible students across the country — and unlike private bank loans, they come with no interest, flexible repayment, and access to government assistance programs if you ever struggle to repay.
This page covers everything you need to know about Canada Student Loans for 2025–2026: who qualifies, how much you can get, how to apply, and what repayment looks like.
What Are Canada Student Loans?
Canada Student Loans are federal loans provided through the Canada Student Financial Assistance Program (CSFA). They are designed to help eligible students cover the cost of post-secondary education — including tuition, books, and living expenses — when other resources aren’t enough.
Here’s what makes them different from a typical bank loan:
- Permanently interest-free. As of April 1, 2023, the federal government eliminated interest on Canada Student Loans for good. You repay only what you borrowed.
- Need-based assessment. The amount you receive is calculated based on your education costs minus your expected resources — not on your credit history.
- Grants come first. When you apply, you’re assessed for Canada Student Grants before loans. Any grant funding you qualify for reduces how much you need to borrow.
- One application. You apply through your province — one form covers both federal and provincial aid.
Loans vs. Grants:
Canada Student Loans must be repaid. Canada Student Grants do not. When you apply for federal student aid, grants are assessed first — the loan fills the gap between your grants and your total assessed need. Always check your grant eligibility before assuming you need to borrow the full amount.
Types of Canada Student Loans
There are three federal loan programs available depending on your enrolment status and circumstances.
Canada Student Loan — Full-Time
The main federal loan for students enrolled full-time at a designated post-secondary institution. The amount is based on your assessed financial need — the gap between your education costs and what you and your family are expected to contribute.
Canada Student Loan — Part-Time
Available to students studying part-time who need help covering tuition and books. Part-time loans have a separate application process and lower lifetime limits than full-time loans. Living expenses are not included in the part-time assessment.
Canada Apprentice Loan
A separate interest-free federal loan for registered apprentices in eligible Red Seal trades. The Canada Apprentice Loan helps cover living and training costs during each period of technical training, and is also permanently interest-free as of April 2023.
Who Is Eligible?
Canada Student Loans are available to a broader range of students than grants — eligibility is not limited to low-income households. To qualify, you generally must:
- Be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or protected person
- Have a valid Social Insurance Number
- Be enrolled in an eligible program at a designated post-secondary institution
- Demonstrate financial need as assessed through your provincial application
- Be in good standing on any previous student loans
- Maintain satisfactory academic progress throughout your studies
Full-time students, part-time students, and students with permanent disabilities are all eligible to apply.
Important:
Students residing in Quebec, Northwest Territories, and Nunavut are not eligible for Canada Student Loans. These provinces and territories administer their own student aid programs separately. Check your provincial funding page for what’s available where you live.
How to Apply
You do not apply directly to the federal government for a Canada Student Loan. Instead, you apply through your province or territory’s student aid office — one application covers both federal and provincial funding.
- Find your provincial application. Visit your province’s student aid portal. Your application is submitted and managed there, even though part of your funding comes from the federal government.
- Provide income and family information. Your loan amount is calculated based on your tuition costs, program length, family income, number of dependants, and whether you have a permanent disability.
- Grants are assessed first. Before a loan amount is determined, you’re automatically assessed for any Canada Student Grants you may qualify for. Grant funding reduces the loan amount you receive.
- Create your NSLSC account. Once approved, register with the National Student Loans Service Centre (NSLSC) to manage your loan, confirm your enrolment, and access repayment tools.
- Confirm enrolment every year. Your funding cannot be released until your school confirms you’re enrolled. Submit your confirmation of enrolment through NSLSC each study period.
How Much Can You Get?
Your loan amount is based on your assessed financial need — not a fixed amount. The weekly maximums below represent the ceiling, not a guaranteed amount.
- Full-time students: Up to $210 per week of study, for a maximum of 340 weeks over your lifetime
- Students with a permanent disability: Up to $210 per week, for a maximum of 520 weeks
- Doctoral students: Up to $210 per week, for a maximum of 400 weeks
- Part-time students: Up to $10,000 cumulative over your lifetime of part-time study
The lifetime limit applies to all Canada Student Loans you receive across every program and institution you attend — it resets only in limited circumstances.
Pro Tip:
Your total federal loan is calculated as your assessed education costs minus your expected contribution and any grants awarded. A higher grant amount means a smaller loan — so it’s always worth making sure your income information is accurate and up to date when you apply.
Repayment
Understanding how repayment works before you borrow is important. Here’s what to expect:
- Interest-free permanently. Since April 1, 2023, Canada Student Loans carry no interest — ever. You repay only the principal amount you borrowed, nothing more.
- Six-month non-repayment period. After you graduate, leave school, or drop below part-time studies, you have a six-month grace period before repayment begins. No payments are required during this time.
- Repayment starts in month seven. Your first payment is due six months after leaving school. The standard repayment term is ten years, though you can request a longer term if needed.
- Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP). If you’re struggling to make payments after graduation, you may qualify for the federal Repayment Assistance Plan, which caps your monthly payments based on your income — and can reduce them to zero if your income is low enough.
- Provincial loans may differ. Your provincial student loan component may still carry interest depending on your province. Check with your provincial student aid office or the NSLSC for details.
Managing Your Loan — The NSLSC
All Canada Student Loans are managed through the National Student Loans Service Centre (NSLSC). Once you receive funding, you’ll use your NSLSC account to:
- Confirm your enrolment each study period to keep your loan in good standing
- View your loan balance and repayment schedule
- Apply for the Repayment Assistance Plan
- Set up or adjust your monthly payments
- Access tax forms and loan documents
Registering with the NSLSC as soon as your loan is approved — even before you start school — is strongly recommended.
Other Federal Funding Options
Canada Student Loans are one part of the federal student aid system. Depending on your circumstances, you may also qualify for:
- Canada Student Grants — non-repayable funding assessed alongside your loan application
- Federal Student Scholarships — merit-based awards that don’t require repayment
- Federal Student Bursaries — need-based awards for students facing financial hardship
Ready to find a school and take the next step? Explore eligible programs today.
