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What is a Student Loan?

In Canada, the students studying for graduate and post graduate courses and those doing their doctoral thesis are eligible to avail an aid from their universities, based on their grades. In case of insufficient or no aids being available to them, they can go for a student loan personally. Such a loan will enable to pursue higher studies without monetary worries and they are required to repay the loan after they graduate and they become gainfully employed and start earning. The HRDC funded Canada Student Loans Program is available to students who have a verifiable need for funding to continue their education with the provision of loans and grants. Grants are awarded to students on merit based criteria and a portion of the tuition fee is written off. The CSLP strives to ensure performance, integrity and accountability to promote its services.



The main aim and objective of the Canadian government is to help the deserving students to pursue their higher education with dignity and no worries. After some major reforms in 2000, the National Student Loans Service Centre (NSLSC) is responsible for the administration and financing of all the student loans across the country. There are two centers operating, one for those attending public institutions and another for those attending private institutions. Such changes have simplified and aimed to make the loan sanctioning process an easier one, and to reduce defaulting borrowers by regular contact and interaction and by helping them to find gainful employment or pursue further education. The CSLP is an initiative by the federal government’s Human Capital Agenda, which seeks to improve the quality of life of the people by educating them and empowering them to lead better lives. Most provincial governments, staring in the early 2000’s have now stated to offer integrated loans with the federal government. More and more provinces like Ontario, Saskatchewan, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador already have started offering integrated student loans.

The greatest benefit that comes with integrated student loans is that the first time borrowers require just one application to be processed, one loan certificate and agreement form are only needed and they can avail of common repayment assistance. In effect what this means is that the students have only one student loan to repay and one monthly repayment to make. The Canada Student Grants Program, from the 1st August 2009, will help students in identifying their loan needs and their best options for availing such loans. The student loan is available to all Canadian citizens and permanent residents. Also the prospective borrower should pass a credit check if over 22 years of age and be enrolled in at least 60% of a course load, for a minimum of 12 weeks in any given 15 weeks. The amount of loan sanctioned, the percentage of the tuition fee covered, and the repayment start date and rate of repayment are all arrived at after careful consideration of the student and his family’s financial background, his marital status, and the number of dependants he has. This is just to ensure that the he does not default on the student loan.



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