Canada Student Loan Forgiveness (Doctors and Nurses)

What you will need

• ✓ Completed Canada Student Loan Forgiveness Application form
• ✓ Completed Canada Student Loan Forgiveness Employment Attestation form
• ✓ Professional license approved by the local authority in your community
• ✓ At least 400 hours of in-person service
• ✓ 12 consecutive months of employment (or 10 months for school-based educators, psychologists, social workers, and teachers)

About this award

This is a loan forgiveness program, not a cash grant, so the money is used to wipe away part of your debt rather than being paid to you. Over a maximum of 5 years, you can receive different totals based on your role: $15,000 for Early Childhood Educators, Dental Hygienists, or Personal Support Workers (PSWs); $30,000 for Nurse Practitioners, Registered Nurses, Registered/Licensed Practical Nurses, Registered Psychiatric Nurses, Midwives, Teachers, Social Workers, or Physiotherapists; and $60,000 for Family Doctors, Family Medicine Residents, Dentists, Psychologists, or Pharmacists. The amount forgiven increases each year you qualify. This is for you if you are a licensed professional in healthcare or education who is willing to work in underserved rural areas or small towns to provide essential in-person services. You have 90 days to apply once you have completed a full year of service in an eligible community. No specific calendar deadline is posted publicly because the window is based on your own employment anniversary — check the Government of Canada's program page or call the National Student Loans Service Centre (NSLSC — the office that manages your federal student loan) to confirm your specific window. Confirmation of your eligibility is determined by the Government of Canada after you submit your application. Selection depends on whether you meet the strict employment and community requirements; it is not a competitive contest with a set number of winners. The money does not go into your bank account. Instead, the Government of Canada reduces the principal balance of your federal student loan. Note that you must keep making your regular monthly payments, though your monthly amount will be reduced unless you choose to opt out on your application form. To keep receiving this benefit, you must re-apply every year. The Canada Student Financial Assistance Program (the government branch that handles student aid) will send you a reminder each year as long as their records show you may still be eligible.

Who qualifies

You must have a federal student loan in good standing and be up to date on your payments. You must work in an eligible occupation—such as nursing, teaching, or pharmacy—and be licensed by the authority in the community where you work. You must provide in-person services for a minimum of 400 hours and be employed in that role for a full year (12 consecutive months). However, early childhood educators, psychologists, social workers, and teachers only need 10 consecutive months if they work in a school. You must work in an eligible community, which is defined as a rural area or a population centre with 30,000 people or fewer. This program does not apply to residents in family medicine. Additionally, it does not apply to private loans, loans converted to a line of credit, or Ontario Medical Resident Loans.

This is what the award's official page said when we last checked. Rules change, so confirm on the award's official page before you apply.

• ✓ Canadian citizen, permanent resident or protected person
• ✓ Open to post-secondary students
• ✓ Studying Family Doctor, Family Medicine Resident, Licensed Practical Nurse, Nurse Practitioner, Registered Nurse, Registered Psychiatric Nurse, Registered Practical Nurse, Dentist, Dental Hygienist, Early Childhood Educator, Midwife, Personal Support Worker, Pharmacist, Physiotherapist, Psychologist, Social Worker or Teacher

How to apply

1. 1

   Read the award's official page

   Check you meet every requirement, and note each document they ask for.

2. 2

   Check this year's deadline

   We don't have a confirmed date for this round. The award's official page will have it.

Tips for applying

• LicensingAvoid assuming your license is automatically recognized. Instead, contact your local authority to ensure your professional license is approved for the specific community where you are working. Keep a digital copy of your approved license ready for the application.
• StrategyAvoid waiting until the end of your second year to apply. Instead, set a calendar alert for the day you hit your one-year work anniversary so you can apply within the mandatory 90-day window. This ensures you don't miss the window for that year's forgiveness.
• RealismAvoid counting this as immediate cash for spending. Instead, remember that this reduces your debt balance and monthly payments rather than giving you a lump sum. Plan your budget around a lower monthly loan payment rather than a cash windfall.

Questions students ask

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