Full-time
The Continuation of Interest Free Status (CIFS) application is used to keep any previous student loans received through OSAP interest free and non-repayable as you continue with your full-time studies. It is your responsibility to notify the National Student Loans Service Centre when you are registered in full-time studies or on an official co-op work term.
The non-repayment period is the first six months after the last term in which you received OSAP or had a CIFS application. During the six month non-repayment period, you are not required to make payments. However, interest will begin to accrue on the provincial loans while the federal loans are interest free. At the end of the six-month non-repayment period, you will be required to start making regular loan payments. The NSLSC will notify you before your first payment is due. Please ensure that you keep your contact information up-to-date by logging in to your secure NSLSC account. Learn more about First Steps in Repayment on the NSLSC website.
Eligibility
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You are registered and studying full-time or on an official co-op work term.
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You are not applying for/ receiving OSAP funding for the current or upcoming academic term.
How to apply
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Log in to your OSAP account and submit a Continuation of Interest Free Status application
Determine you application situation
| Situation | Instructions for Continuation of Interest Free Status (CIFS) |
|---|---|
| I am receiving OSAP assistance for the current academic term | You do not need to complete a CIFS application. Once your OSAP funding issues, it places previous loans in interest free status. |
| I am not receiving OSAP assistance for the current term, but am enrolled in full-time studies | Complete a CIFS application to notify the NSLSC that you are a full-time student. Previous OSAP loans will be placed in interest free status. |
| I am on an 8-month official co-op work term |
If you are receiving OSAP during an 8-month co-op work term you do not need to complete a CIFS application. Once your OSAP funding issues, it places previous loans in interest free status. If you are not receiving OSAP during an 8-month co-op work term complete a CIFS application to notify the NSLSC that you are a full-time student. Previous OSAP loans will be placed in interest free status. When the application asks for the "study dates" that you wish to be updated for, you will enter your co-op dates. |
| I am on a 4-month official co-op work term |
Previous OSAP loans will go into repayment six months after the end of the last term in which you received OSAP or completed a CIFS application. If you will be receiving OSAP in both the term prior to and immediately after your 4-month co-op work term you do not need to complete a CIFS application because your break in studies is less than six months. Otherwise, you will need to CIFS application to notify the NSLSC that you are a full-time student. Previous OSAP loans will be placed in interest free status. When the application asks for the "study dates" that you wish to be updated for, you will enter your co-op dates. |
| I am not enrolled in the spring term and returning in the fall |
You are not eligible for interest free status in a term you are not enrolled full-time. Previous OSAP loans will go into repayment six months after the end of the last term in which you received OSAP or completed a CIFS application. If you will be a full-time student in fall term, you can either reapply for more OSAP or submit an interest free status at that time. If the application is complete and confirmed prior to six months, any interest that accrued will be reversed. |
Part-time
Previous part-time OSAP loans will remain interest-free during each subsequent term in which you receive part-time or full-time OSAP. A continuation of interest free status application is not required.
Eligibility
- You are registered and studying part-time, full-time, or on an official co-op work term.
- You are not applying for/ receiving OSAP funding for the current or upcoming academic term.
How to apply
- If you are studying part time and not receiving OSAP, the part-time Interest Free Status application (Schedule 2) is available online on the National Student Loans Service Centre (NSLSC) website.
- Only prior part-time OSAP loans will be placed in interest free status. Prior full-time OSAP loans will not be placed in interest free status.
- If you are studying full-time or on an official co-op work term and not receiving OSAP, log into your OSAP account and submit a Continuation of Interest Free Status application.
- All prior part-time and full-time OSAP loans will be placed in interest free status.