If you're a nurse in Canada with federal student loans, there's a program many people have never heard of: Canada Student Loan forgiveness for nurses working in underserved rural and remote communities.
This guide is for Canadian federal student loans. US nurses, see our guide to Public Service Loan Forgiveness.
How much can be forgiven?
Eligible nurses and nurse practitioners can receive up to $30,000 in Canada Student Loan forgiveness over five years of qualifying work.
This applies to the federal part of your student loan. Provincial student loans are separate, and some provinces run their own forgiveness or incentive programs for nurses who work in high-need areas. Check with your province.
Who qualifies?
- You're a nurse or nurse practitioner (the program also covers family doctors and some other professionals).
- You work in an eligible rural or remote community. The federal government expanded eligibility so that communities of 30,000 people or fewer can qualify, adding more than 200 communities.
- You meet the program's minimum work requirements (in-person service hours) during each year you apply.
- Your Canada Student Loan is in good standing.
Eligibility is based on Statistics Canada definitions of rural areas and population centres, and the list is updated as new census data is released. Search for your community in the eligibility tool on Canada.ca before you count on it.
How to apply
- Confirm your community is eligible using the government's online tool.
- Work the required period in that community.
- Apply through your National Student Loans Service Centre account once you've completed a qualifying year. Your employer will need to confirm your work.
- Apply each year you qualify, up to the maximum.
Good news: federal student loans are interest-free
Since April 1, 2023, Canada Student Loans and Canada Apprentice Loans no longer charge federal interest. That means extra payments on the federal part go straight to the principal. Provincial portions may still charge interest, so check yours.
How to pay off the rest faster
- Pay off the provincial loan first if it charges interest and the federal portion doesn't.
- Use the Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP) if your payments are unaffordable. It's based on income and family size.
- Put extra shifts to work. Decide ahead of time that certain shifts go to your loans, and see what they're worth in the nurse shift pay calculator.
- Claim the interest you paid on government student loans as a tax credit when you file.
Is rural nursing right for you?
Rural and remote nursing often comes with broader scope, close-knit teams and, sometimes, extra incentives like signing bonuses, housing support or northern allowances. Combined with up to $30,000 in loan forgiveness, it can be a smart way to start your career debt-free. It also means more isolation and fewer resources, so talk to nurses who've done it.
The bottom line
If you're open to working in a smaller community, check whether it qualifies. The forgiveness is meaningful, and federal loans not charging interest means every extra dollar you pay goes further.
See how fast extra shifts could clear your loans: try the free Nurse Shift Pay Calculator.
This article is for general education and isn't financial advice. Program details can change; confirm current eligibility and amounts on Canada.ca. Information current as of October 2026.