Two things many borrowers don't know. Federal student loans haven't charged interest since April 1, 2023. And if your income is low, the Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP) can lower your payment, or pause it completely, six months at a time.
The Income Thresholds
If your monthly gross family income is below the amount for your family size, you may not need to make payments for 6 months:
| Family size | Monthly income |
|---|---|
| 1 | $3,866 |
| 2 | $4,535 |
| 3 | $5,556 |
| 4 | $6,412 |
| 5 | $7,170 |
| 6 | $7,854 |
| 7+ | $8,483 |
Earn more than this? You may still qualify for a reduced monthly payment.
Who Qualifies
- You live in Canada (there are exceptions for deployed reservists and their spouses, and for international internships of a year or less).
- Your loans are in repayment, which starts 6 months after you finish or leave school.
- You're up to date on your loan payments.
How RAP Works
1Apply online through your National Student Loans Service Centre (NSLSC) account.
2Get approved for 6 months. The Government of Canada helps pay toward your loan during that time.
3Re-apply every 6 months to stay on the plan.
4Over the long term, the government starts paying down your principal too, after 60 months on RAP or 10 years after you leave school. In most cases, the longest you can be in repayment after leaving school is 15 years (10 years for borrowers with a disability).
What About Interest?
Since April 1, 2023, the federal government has permanently stopped charging interest on Canada Student Loans. You still owe any interest that built up before that date, and some provinces still charge interest on their part of an integrated loan. Quebec, the Northwest Territories, and Nunavut run their own student aid programs.
Stuck with the NSLSC? Get your issue written up clearly, with dates and reference numbers, so it can be escalated.
Draft It With Asya →Frequently Asked
Can I stop paying my Canada Student Loan if my income is low?
You may qualify for the Repayment Assistance Plan. If your monthly gross family income is below the threshold for your family size ($3,866 for a single person), you may not need to make payments for 6 months at a time.
Do Canada Student Loans charge interest?
Not on the federal portion. Interest was permanently eliminated on April 1, 2023, but you still owe any interest that built up before then, and some provinces charge interest on their portion.
How often do I have to apply for the Repayment Assistance Plan?
Every 6 months. Each approval covers 6 months, so you must re-apply to stay on RAP.
How do I apply for the Repayment Assistance Plan?
Online, through your National Student Loans Service Centre (NSLSC) account. Your loans must be in repayment and your payments up to date.
Sources & Verification
Figures, rules, and contacts in this article come from official sources:
- Government of Canada — Repayment Assistance Plan
- Government of Canada — Interest-free student loans effective April 1, 2023
- National Student Loans Service Centre
Learn more about how ComplaintCA verifies information on our About page.