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Nova Scotia Student Loan Forgiveness Program
The Nova Scotia Loan Forgiveness Program can eliminate all Nova Scotia debt for eligible borrowers who study at Nova Scotia universities.
As of 1 August 2019, Nova Scotia students graduating from Nova Scotia non-professional undergraduate programs will no longer have to repay the provincial portion of their student loans.
Graduates can receive up to 5 years of loan forgiveness, up to $20,400.
Students who graduate prior to 1 August 2019 must have a total combined government student loan debt greater than $28,560 to qualify for loan forgiveness.
Eligibility
Nova Scotians graduating after 1 August 2019 from undergraduate, non-professional degree program at a Nova Scotia university are eligible to have 100 per cent of their Nova Scotia Student Loan forgiven.
How to apply
All students are automatically assessed for eligibility under the Nova Scotia Loan Forgiveness Program when they graduate.
Once Student Assistance receives notice from your university that you have graduated, we will assess your forgiveness amount on any Nova Scotia Student Loans you have received since August 2015 based on the program criteria.
You will receive a letter by mail that informs you that you've been assessed for the Nova Scotia Loan Forgiveness Program and the amount of your Nova Scotia Student Loan that will be forgiven.
If you owe any amount on your Nova Scotia Student Loan, the program will pay up to 100% of any outstanding Nova Scotia Student Loan amounts.
If you owe less on your Nova Scotia Student Loan than you receive in Loan Forgiveness (i.e. if you have already paid back some of your loan) the difference will be paid toward your Canada Student Loan if any. Any remaining amount will be sent to you in the form of a mailed cheque.
How long it takes
It should take 3-6 weeks from the date graduation information is submitted to receive a letter about your assessment for the Nova Scotia Loan Forgiveness Program.