Manitoba Student Aid

If you're having trouble repaying your loan, you can:

• Apply for the Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP) for your Manitoba Student Loan.
  • For faster processing, please submit an electronic RAP application.
  • If preferred, you can request the RAP Application in PDF format by contacting msaloans@gov.mb.ca
  • If preferred, you can request the RAP Application in PDF format by contacting msaloans@gov.mb.ca

Please note that you are still required to make your scheduled Manitoba Student Loan payments until your RAP application is approved and processed. Please allow 4 - 6 weeks for processing.

• Apply for Repayment Assistance Plan (Federal loan)
• Apply for Revision of Terms (ROT)

If you do not make your regular scheduled payments, your credit history may be affected, and can result in your student loan being submitted to the Canada Revenue Agency for collection. Whether you have missed a payment or not, if you are experiencing financial hardship, contact Manitoba Student Aid and the National Student Loans Service Centre to discuss your repayment options:

• contact the National Student Loans Service Centre (NSLSC)
• contact Manitoba Student Aid at 1-800-204-1685

Please be aware that you must apply for the Repayment Assistance Plan separately for your provincial and federal loans.

How does Manitoba Student Aid's Repayment Assistance Plan Work?

If you're eligible for assistance, your revised monthly loan payments will be calculated based on your family income and size. You may be required to make a lower monthly payment, or you may be eligible to make zero monthly payments until your financial circumstances improve.

The Repayment Assistance Plan allows you to repay your student loan over a maximum of 15 years (or 10 years if you have a permanent disability).

You must reapply for the Repayment Assistance Plan every six months.

If you have a permanent disability, please see our Repayment Assistance for Borrowers with a Permanent Disability section.

There are two stages to the Repayment Assistance Plan

Stage 1: You've been on the plan less than five years.

• You can be in Stage 1 for a total of 5 years during a 10 year period (starting from the last time you were a full-time student).
• Your monthly payments will not go over 20% of your monthly income.
• You're still eligible to apply for Manitoba Student Aid if you go back to school.

Stage 2: You've been on the Repayment Assistance Plan more than five years, you've been in repayment for 10 years or you are applying as a borrower with a permanent disability.

• The Manitoba government will pay a portion of your loan amount.
• Your monthly payments will not go over 20% of your monthly income.
• You're ineligible to apply for Manitoba Student Aid if you go back to school, unless you have a permanent disability.

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Am I eligible for the Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP)?

To be eligible for our Repayment Assistance Plan, you must:

• be living in Canada
• be unable to afford your required monthly payment (as calculated by Manitoba Student Aid)
• have your loan in good standing (payments up to date)

What options for repayment assistance do Borrowers with a Permanent Disability have?

If you owe on a student loan, you have a permanent disability and you are having difficulty repaying your loan, you may qualify for our:

• Repayment Assistance Plan for Borrowers with a Permanent Disability
• Permanent Disability Medical Forgiveness

How does the Repayment Assistance Plan for Borrowers with a Permanent Disability work?

If you were previously verified by Manitoba Student Aid as a person with a permanent disability, you can indicate this on the Repayment Assistance Plan application. You will automatically be placed in the Repayment Assistance Plan for Borrowers with a Permanent Disability. At the end of each six-month RAP term the Manitoba government will pay a portion of your loan amount.

If you have not been verified by Manitoba Student Aid as a person with a permanent disability, you will need to complete and submit the Repayment Assistance Plan for Borrowers with a Permanent Disability Verification of Permanent Disability form.

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How do I apply for the Repayment Assistance Plan?

Your Manitoba Student Aid Repayment Assistance Plan application is valid for six months. You must submit a new application every six months if you continue having trouble repaying your loan.

Please note:Manitoba Student Aid repayment assistance is separate from the Canada Student Loan Repayment Assistance Plan. Please visit the Canada Student Loans website for more information.

How does Permanent Disability Medical Forgiveness work?

If you are a borrower with a severe permanent disability that prevents you from working and going to school, you may be eligible to have your loans forgiven.

For your Manitoba Student Loan to be forgiven, you must first be approved by the Canada Student Loans Program. Please call 1-888-726-6596 for more information.

Once you have been approved by the Canada Student Loans Program and have received notification in writing, contact Manitoba Student Aid to discuss provincial student loan forgiveness.

How does Manitoba Student Aid's Revision of Terms (ROT) work?

If you have a full-time Manitoba student loan and are having difficulty making your regular scheduled payments, you may be eligible for Revision of Terms (ROT). If you are approved for ROT, your regular monthly payments will be reduced for up to a maximum of 12 months. If you require additional assistance after this period you must reapply through Manitoba Student Aid to determine eligibility.

Can I apply for tax credits?

You can claim a tax credit for a percentage of the interest paid each year on your loans when you are in repayment. For more information, please visit Canada Revenue Agency.

What if my loan is in collections?

If you have missed five monthly payments on your Manitoba Student Loan your loan is considered in default and Manitoba Student Aid will register a claim with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) to redirect your future Income Tax refunds and GST payments until your loan is paid in full or until you rehabilitate the loan. While a claim is registered with CRA you will not be eligible for future student aid financial assistance.

If your Manitoba Student Loan is in collections with CRA you may be eligible to rehabilitate your provincial loan by bringing your payments up to date. Please contact Manitoba Student Aid to discuss loan rehabilitation options. Please note:

• If there is outstanding interest on the balance of your loan, you will need to pay that interest, and/or
• Make up to six individual monthly payments to cover the arrears on the loan and bring the loan into good standing.

Once you have met one of these conditions, please contact Manitoba Student Aid to finalize your agreement and receive a new repayment plan.

Your Manitoba Student Aid Loan can only be rehabilitated once.

Please be aware that the Canada Student Loans Program has different policies regarding the delinquency and default of your federal loan, including rehabilitation policies. If your Canada Student Loan is in collection, you may be eligible to bring your Canada Student Loan up to date. Please contact the Canada Revenue Agency for more information.

What if I declare bankruptcy?

If you declare bankruptcy or file a consumer proposal within seven years of completing your studies, your student loans may not be included. This means that once you are discharged you will still be required to continue making regular student loan payments.It is your responsibility to ensure that you have notified your Trustee if you have one or more of the following: A Manitoba Student Loan, a Canada Student Loan, or a student loan through a bank.

While you are in bankruptcy protection, Manitoba Student Aid cannot contact you. Once you have been discharged you must contact Manitoba Student Aid to provide proof of the discharge and establish a new student loan repayment plan.

What if a family member who has a student loan passes away?

If a family member passes away while they are in repayment of their student loans, they are eligible to have their loans forgiven. To apply, contact both Manitoba Student Aid and the Canada Student Loans Program. You will be asked to provide both offices with a copy of the death certificate.