Possible disruption of Canada Post services

Service Canada has measures in place to ensure that clients continue to receive services and benefits during a possible disruption of Canada Post services.

Canada Student Loans and Grants and Canada Apprentice Loans

In the event of a Canada Post labour disruption, students should continue to apply for student loans and grants to support their post-secondary education. To apply for Canada Student Loans and Grants, contact your home province or territory for details. For Canada Apprentice Loans, the application is available online on the Canada Apprentice Loan (CAL) online service website.

Submitting loan documents to the NSLSC

Full-time students

Since April 2018, full-time students can register for an on-line account and complete the Master Student Financial Assistance Agreement (MSFAA) electronically by following Step 4A instructions under Apply for a loan for full-time studies. A Canada Post labour disruption would therefore not affect their ability to submit their loan documents to the NSLSC.

Part-time students

During a Canada Post labour disruption, part-time students have two options for submitting their student loan and grant documents:

1. You may drop off your loan documents at a Service Canada Office near you.
2. You can also courier your loan documents to the National Student Loans Service Centre (NSLSC) at your own expense.

Courier address:
National Student Loans Service Centre
2 Robert Speck Parkway
Mississauga, Ontario  L4Z 1H8

Note: Some students may also have the option to drop off their documents at provincial service centres. Please contact your province for more information.

In all cases, carefully review the checklist below and ensure that you have completed each step before submitting your loan and grant documents.

Part-time student loan and grant document checklist

Please ensure you have completed each of the steps under Apply for a loan for part-time studies to submit loan and grant documents to the NSLSC. If you miss any of these steps, your document cannot be processed.

Receiving loan and grant payments

It is recommended that student borrowers set up direct deposit arrangements so that funds can be transferred directly to their bank accounts. Direct deposit is the standard way the Government of Canada delivers payments to Canadians and is the fastest and safest way to get your money. Contact the NSLSC or CAL online service to enroll for direct deposit.

If you are receiving cheques, Canada Post has committed to deliver cheques around the 20th day of each month for Canada Student Loans, Grants, and Canada Apprentice Loans.

Making loan payments

If you are currently making payments via cheque or money order, it is recommended to set up a Pre-Authorized Payment Plan or submit your payment through online banking. For Pre-Authorized Payment Plan, visit your NSLSC or CAL online service account to download and complete a Pre-Authorization Debit Form. You will have to submit the form via courier.

You can also make your loan payments using your financial institutions’ online or telephone banking services. To arrange for this option, contact your financial institution or visit its website. Add the Canada Apprentice Loan to your bill payment list. Use your loan number as your account number. For NSLSC borrowers, add National Student Loans Service Centre to your bill payment list. Use your loan number as your account number.

Please note that during a Canada Post labour disruption, you remain responsible for the repayment of your loan as per the terms of your loan agreement.

Receiving information about your loans and grants

Many notifications about your loans and grants are sent digitally through the NSLSC or CAL online service borrower accounts. Go online and ensure you have registered for your account and that your contact information is up to date. For critical and time-sensitive information, the NSLSC or CAL online service may also attempt to contact you by telephone.

Applying for the Repayment Assistance Plan

You can apply for the Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP) through the NSLSC or CAL online service websites. To create a new application, sign in to your account online and select “Repayment Assistance.”

Applying for the Severe Permanent Disability Benefit

To apply for the Severe Permanent Disability Benefit (SPDB), contact the National Student Loans Service Center (NSLSC) at 1-888-815-4514 or the Canada Apprentice Loan Service Centre (CALSC) at 1-855-844-5670. To submit your confidential SPDB documents, you may courier the documents to the Canada Student Loans Program (c/o Client Services Division, 140 Place du Portage, Hull, QC K1A 0J9) at your own expense to ensure the timely processing. Alternatively, you may wait until the service disruption is over to submit your documents. Please note that during the adjudication process, you remain responsible for the repayment of your loan as per the terms of your Student Loan Agreement.

For further assistance regarding your loan

For Canada Student Loans and Grants, please contact the NSLSC:

• 1 888 815-4514 (within North America)
• 800 2 225-2501 (outside North America)
• TTY 1 888 815-4556

For apprentice loans, please contact the CALSC:

• 1 855 844-5670 (within North America)
• 905 283-1766 (outside North America)
• TTY 1 855 844-5671