Prince Edward Island

Debt Reduction Grant Program

Easy application

Tax filing not required

You may be able to get a Debt Reduction Grant if you are a student graduating from a post-secondary program with more than $6,000 in federal and provincial student loans borrowed per year. The grant will help reduce your provincial student loan balance.

The maximum grant you may be able to get depends on when you started your academic year:

For academic years that started prior to August 1, 2018:

  • a grant of up to a maximum of $2000 per year of study may be applied directly to your provincial student loan balance.

Effective March 31, 2019:

For academic years that started after August 1, 2018:

  • a grant of up to a maximum of $3,500 per year of study may be applied directly to your provincial student loan balance.

Debt reduction grants will only be issued for provincial student loan amounts greater than $100 per academic year.

You may be able to get a debt reduction grant if you meet the following criteria:

  • You have graduated from your program, earning either a degree, diploma, or certificate.
  • Your yearly debt must be more than $6,000 in combined federal and provincial student loans, with at least $100 in provincial student loan.
  • Only provincial student loans for the years you were enrolled in a program from which you graduated are eligible for debt reduction assistance.
  • Year of study is based on the minimum required length of the program, plus one year. For example, if you require six years to complete a four-year program, you are eligible for a debt reduction grant for only five years of study (4+1=5).
  • The amount of debt reduction grant cannot exceed the amount of provincial student loan for that year. For example, if you borrowed $1,500 in provincial student loan during one year, the maximum amount of debt reduction grant offered would equal $1,500.
  • Proof of residency: You must provide proof that you have lived in PEI for at least six months immediately preceding your application for this grant.

Proof of  residency in Province

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

Proof of Post-secondary degree

For example:

Degree/transcripts.

  • Verification of Canada Student Loan
  • Verification of Provincial Student Loan

All graduates must apply within the 3-year period following their graduation date.

As part of the application process, you will be required to submit the following:

A complete Debt Reduction Grant application;

A copy of your degree, diploma, or certificate; and

Two forms of verifications for proof of PEI residency. All verifications should be dated within the previous 6 months prior to submitting your application to the office.

Last updated: September 10, 2022