Nova Scotia

Nova Scotia Loan Forgiveness Program

Easy application

Tax filing not required

The Nova Scotia Loan Forgiveness Program can eliminate all Nova Scotia Student Loan debt for eligible borrowers who study at Nova Scotia universities.

Nova Scotia students graduating from Nova Scotia non-professional undergraduate programs may no longer have to repay the provincial portion of their student loans. Graduates can receive 5 years of loan forgiveness, up to $20,400.

Please note that Nova Scotia Loans issued on or after 1 August, 2015 may be eligible for Loan Forgiveness.

To qualify for this program:

  • You must graduate from an undergraduate, non-professional degree program at a Nova Scotia university.
  • It must be your first undergraduate degree eligible for the Loan Forgiveness Program.
  • The entire degree must be completed within eight years of starting it.
  • In most cases, the qualifying degree can include credit transfers that are made under inter-institutional agreements (sometimes known as a Letter of Permission).
  • Must have eligible Nova Scotia student loans (Canada Student Loans are not eligible for the Nova Scotia Loan Forgiveness Program).

Please click here to view eligible amounts and graduates dates.

Documents listed in this section are examples of what can be included with your application. Please review the application instructions (How to Apply tab) to confirm the supplemental and required documents for this benefit.

Proof of Post-secondary degree

For example:

Degree/transcripts.

Proof of  residency in Province/ Territory

For example:

  • lease agreement
  • rent receipt
  • household bill
    • gas
    • electricity
    • cable television
    • telephone
  • driver's license
  • vehicle registration or car insurance
  • membership in social or professional organization
  • Other:
    • bank information
    • employment information

There is no application required for the Nova Scotia Loan Forgiveness Program.

Student Assistance will not request any information from you by phone or in writing.

The Nova Scotia Student Loan accounts of all new graduates are reviewed after their schools confirm their graduation status. Eligible graduates will receive a letter in the mail about 3-6 weeks from the date the graduation information is submitted from thier school. The letter will include the amount of your loan that will be forgiven.

If you’re not eligible, you will not be contacted. If you think you should have received Loan Forgiveness but didn’t get a letter, please contact the Nova Scotia Student Assistance using the “Ask Us a Question” feature in MyPATH to request a review.

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.

Last reviewed: July 15, 2026