Canada Student Financial Assistance Regulations

7.1 (1) The following definitions apply in this section and in section 12.21.

medical leave

medical leave means a leave from studies taken by a borrower as a result of a medical problem that, in the opinion of a medical professional, would significantly interfere with the borrower’s ability to pursue their program of studies. (congé pour raisons médicales)

parental leave

parental leave means a leave from studies taken by a borrower as a result of the birth of a child of the borrower, the adoption of a child by the borrower, or the commencement of the guardianship or tutorship of a child by the borrower. (congé parental)

period of postponement of repayment

period of postponement of repayment means the period during which, by reason of a medical leave or parental leave, no amount on account of principal or interest is required to be paid by the borrower in respect of a student loan. (différé de remboursement)

(2) The Minister may, on application, grant a borrower who ceases to be a full-time student on or after October 1, 2020 a period of postponement of repayment by reason of medical leave or parental leave, if the borrower submits the application in the form and manner specified by the Minister in the six months after the end of the borrower’s most recent period of studies, but no later than 12 months after

• (a) in the case of a medical leave, the date specified by the medical professional; or

• (b) in the case of a parental leave, the date of the birth or adoption of a child or the date the borrower becomes the guardian or tutor of a child.

(3) If the Minister grants the borrower’s application, the borrower is deemed to continue to be a full-time student despite section 8 for a six-month period beginning on the first day of the month after the month in which they would otherwise have ceased to be a full-time student.

(4) If the borrower’s medical leave or parental leave must be extended or the borrower is entitled to a new medical leave or a new parental leave, the borrower may, no earlier than 30 days before the end of the six-month period referred to in subsection (3) and no later than 30 days after that period, submit a request to the Minister to extend the length of the period of postponement of repayment to 12 months.

(5) If the borrower’s medical leave or parental leave must be further extended or the borrower is entitled to a new medical leave or a new parental leave, the borrower may, no earlier than 30 days before the end of the 12-month period referred to in subsection (4) and no later than 30 days after that period, submit a request to the Minister to extend the length of the period of postponement of repayment to 18 months.

(6) A borrower who has been granted a period of postponement of repayment cannot submit a new application for a period of postponement of repayment by reason of a new medical leave or a new parental leave for 30 days after the first day of the current confirmed period.