Student Reservists Program

Nova Scotia allows full-time students who are members of the Canadian Forces Reserves to stop making payments on their Nova Scotia Student Loan while they are participating in armed forces operations. A student loan borrower who serves as Class ‘C’ Reserves in the Armed Forces and who participates in the the Student Reservist Program is exempt from the financial obligations associated with their provincial student loan while they are serving (i.e. during their “period of service”.)

For information on the new Federal Reservist Benefit program click here.

How it works

The Canadian Forces Reservists Benefit allows full-time student Reservists to manage their Student Assistance status much as if they were attending classes as a full-time student. The Benefit means:

• The Reservist’s period of service is not included when calculating eligible weeks of study under the Nova Scotia Student Loans policy.
• No interest accumulates on the Reserviest’s provincial student loan(s)
• The period of service is exempt when determining the Reservist’s repayment period for their provincial loan.
• The Reservist’s period of service does not detract from their eligibility for debt management programs.

Educational institutions (such as public or private school, community colleges and universities) are required by provincial law to allow students to return to study after periods of service in the Reserves without financial penalty. For example, if the student has paid tuition and fees prior to departure for active duty, these amounts will be credited to the student’s account and applied to tuition and fees when the student returns, usually the beginning of the semester following the return from active duty. The student will not be forced to pay any extra money in the event that tuition and fees have increased, and they are able to return to the same program of study, provided the same program is still being offered.

Should the student decide not to return to school after a period of active service in the Reserves, tuition and fees may be refunded to the student according to the policies of the individual institutions.

How to apply

Reservists who wish to apply for this program should contact the Nova Scotia Student Assistance Office before their period of service begins.