- Is it Time to Repay your Student Loan?
- Important Terms
- Your Repayment Responsibilities
- Repayment Assistance
- NSLSC On-Line Services
Is it Time to Repay your Student Loan?
It is time to start repaying your loan if you have graduated from your studies, have transferred to part-time studies, or are taking a break from your studies that will last longer than 6 months. In all three cases, you must begin repaying your student loan six months after you stop attending school on a full-time basis.
Important Terms
Grace Period: The 6 month period immediately following the end of your full time studies. During this time, interest will be charged on the Ontario portion of your student loan, however you will not be obligated to make payments. This interest will be added to your loan principal (the balance of money that you borrow).
Consolidation Date: The first day of the seventh month following the month you ceased to be a full time student. On this day, all of your outstanding loans are consolidated.
Examples
- Example 1: Johnny finished being a full time student at the end of April when he graduated; his consolidation date is November 1.
- Example 2: Sally withdrew from full time studies in October for medical reasons; her consolidation date is May 1.
Consolidated Student Loan Agreement: A document mailed to you, 6-8 weeks before the end of your grace period, by the National Student Loan Service Centre which outlines your;
- total loan amount
- interest rate
- repayment term (how long it will take you to repay your loan)
- monthly payment
- first payment date
NOTE: your first payment will be due on the last day of the month marking your “Consolidation Date”. Example: Mike’s Consolidation Date is November 1; his first payment is due November 30.
Your Repayment Responsibilities
- Sign a Consolidated Student Loan Agreement
- Repay your loan, and all interest, according to the terms of your Consolidated Student Loan Agreement
- Notify the National Student Loan Service Centre, or other lender, if you change your address, name or telephone number
Repayment Assistance
If you are having trouble repaying your government student loan(s), there is help. Both the Province of Ontario and the Government of Canada offer repayment assistance to help borrowers who are having difficulty repaying their loans. This assistance is provided through the Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP).
To be considered for RAP, you must complete and submit an online application through the National Student Loans Service Centre’s online services, and have signed and returned your Consolidated Student Loan Agreement.
NSLSC On-Line Services
An NSLSC on-line service account provides you with an excellent collection of tools to help you:
- Check the status of your student loan
- Check the balance of your loan(s)
- Review details of new loans you’ve recently received
- Update your Mailing and Permanent Addresses and other contact information online
- Access your T4A tax slip in your Mailbox
- Submit a request to confirm your enrolment
- Review your loan payment and transaction history
- Receive helpful information about your loan in your Personal Message Centre
- Customize Your Repayment Schedule
- Get Repayment Assistance
The Awards Office strongly encourages all student loan borrowers to create and use an NSLSC on-line service account but especially encourages borrowers who have graduated or who soon will graduate to do so.