Canada Student Loan forgiveness: which jobs qualify, how much is forgiven and how to apply
Quick summary
Canada Student Loan forgiveness cancels part of your federal student loan if you work in a qualifying job in a rural or remote community. The amount depends on your job and goes up each year, to a maximum of $15,000, $30,000 or $60,000 over 5 years. You must apply every year. For the basics of repayment, read how federal student loans, interest and repayment work.
Checked November 10, 2026. Main source: Employment and Social Development Canada: Canada Student Loan Forgiveness, eligibility (modified November 9, 2026, read November 10, 2026). See all 1 source.
Key facts
- Maximum
- $15,000, $30,000 or $60,000 over up to 5 years, by job
- Source: ESDC, modified November 9, 2026
- Service needed
- 12 consecutive months (10 for some school and care jobs) and at least 400 hours in person
- Source: ESDC, modified November 9, 2026
- Apply within
- 90 days after you finish a year of service
- Source: ESDC, modified November 9, 2026
- What is forgiven
- Only the federal part of your loan
- Source: ESDC, modified November 9, 2026
Which jobs qualify
The page lists these jobs. You must hold the right licence, approved by the authority where you work.
- Doctors and nurses: family doctor, family medicine resident, nurse practitioner, registered nurse, licensed practical nurse, registered practical nurse, registered psychiatric nurse.
- Other jobs: dentist, dental hygienist, early childhood educator, midwife, personal support worker, pharmacist, physiotherapist, psychologist, social worker, teacher.
- The page says the newer jobs became eligible as of December 31, 2025.
Source: Employment and Social Development Canada: Canada Student Loan Forgiveness, eligibility (modified November 9, 2026, read November 10, 2026).
Where you must work
In a rural area, or a population centre with no more than 30,000 people. The older definition still applies to doctors and nurses until after the 2026 census. You can work in more than one eligible community and for more than one employer.
The page warns that its postal code lookup is being updated and may not be accurate. Check your community with the program before you count on it.
Source: Employment and Social Development Canada: Canada Student Loan Forgiveness, eligibility (modified November 9, 2026, read November 10, 2026).
How much is forgiven
The amount rises each year of service, for up to 5 years. The 5 years do not have to be in a row, but you need a Canada Student Loan balance at the end of each service year.
| Job group | Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 | Year 4 | Year 5 | Maximum |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Early childhood educators, dental hygienists, personal support workers | $2,000 | $2,500 | $3,000 | $3,500 | $4,000 | $15,000 |
| Nurse practitioners, registered nurses, licensed and registered practical nurses, registered psychiatric nurses, midwives, teachers, social workers, physiotherapists | $4,000 | $5,000 | $6,000 | $7,000 | $8,000 | $30,000 |
| Family doctors, family medicine residents, dentists, psychologists, pharmacists | $8,000 | $10,000 | $12,000 | $14,000 | $16,000 | $60,000 |
Source: Employment and Social Development Canada: Canada Student Loan Forgiveness, eligibility (modified November 9, 2026, read November 10, 2026). The forgiven amount applies to the federal part of your loan only, not to a provincial or territorial part. It comes off the principal after your service, and you must keep making payments.
The service rules
- 12 consecutive months in an eligible job. For early childhood educators, psychologists, social workers and teachers who work in a school, the page says 10 consecutive months.
- At least 400 hours of in-person service.
- Your student loan must be in good standing.
- Leave for illness, caregiving, pregnancy, or a newborn or adoption may be allowed if it keeps you from the 400 hours. Ask the program.
- For family medicine residents the page wording on the exact time is unclear, so read the page.
Source: Employment and Social Development Canada: Canada Student Loan Forgiveness, eligibility (modified November 9, 2026, read November 10, 2026).
How to apply
- You must reapply every year. You have 90 days after you complete a year of service.
- Online: log in to the National Student Loans Service Centre through My Service Canada Account.
- By mail: send the Canada Student Loan Forgiveness Application (SDE0094) and the Employment Attestation (SDE0110) to National Student Loans Service Centre, P.O. Box 4030, Mississauga, ON L5A 4M4.
- If you are approved, your loan balance and monthly payments go down, unless you opt out on your form.
Source: Employment and Social Development Canada: Canada Student Loan Forgiveness, eligibility (modified November 9, 2026, read November 10, 2026).
An example with made-up numbers
A registered nurse in the middle row finishes year 1 of service and is approved: $4,000 comes off the federal principal. After year 2, $5,000 more, which is $9,000 so far. If they complete all 5 years the total is $30,000. This is our arithmetic from the table above, and it assumes a federal balance big enough to take it. If your federal balance is lower, there is less to forgive.
Related guides
Questions people ask
Does Canada forgive student loans?
It forgives part of the federal loan for people who work in certain jobs in rural or remote communities. The amount is up to $15,000, $30,000 or $60,000 over 5 years, depending on the job.
Which jobs qualify?
Family doctors, nurses, dentists, pharmacists, teachers, social workers, psychologists, physiotherapists, midwives, personal support workers, early childhood educators and dental hygienists, among those listed, with the right licence.
How do I apply?
Apply every year within 90 days of finishing a year of service. Use the National Student Loans Service Centre online, or mail form SDE0094 and the employment attestation SDE0110.
Does it cover my provincial loan?
No. The forgiven amount applies only to the federal part of your loan.
How many hours do I need to work?
At least 400 hours of in-person service, over 12 consecutive months, or 10 for some school and care jobs.
Do I stop paying my loan?
No. You must keep making payments. If you are approved, your balance and monthly payments go down unless you opt out.