10 new jobs that could qualify for Canada Student Loan Forgiveness
Paying off student loans can be a daunting task. Fortunately, certain occupations in Canada are part of a student loan forgiveness program, and the government just added new eligible jobs.
According to the Canada Student Loan Forgiveness site, 10 new occupations are eligible to cash in on the program as of Dec. 31, 2025.
“The Government of Canada offers Canada Student Loan Forgiveness to borrowers who work in eligible occupations in eligible communities. This helps ensure more Canadians get the services they deserve,” reads the site.
The 10 new eligible occupations are:
- Dentist
- Dental Hygienist
- Early Childhood Educator
- Midwife
- Personal Support Worker
- Pharmacist
- Physiotherapist
- Psychologist
- Social Worker
- Teacher
This is on top of the following careers that have been eligible for the program:
- Family Doctor
- Family Medicine Resident
- Licensed Practical Nurse
- Nurse Practitioner
- Registered Nurse
- Registered Psychiatric Nurse
- Registered Practical Nurse
“You need to have the right license for your occupation, and it must be approved by the authority in the community where you work,” the government notes. “Some exceptions exist for residents in family medicine and personal support workers, and for physiotherapists, and early childhood educators in some provinces and territories.”
How does the Canada Student Loan Forgiveness program work?
Halfpoint/Shutterstock
According to the government, you can apply for the program while you are in repayment, or if you are in study or in your six-month non-repayment period.
To qualify, you need to have:
- Worked in an eligible occupation
- Worked in an eligible community
- Been employed in your eligible occupation for a full year (12 consecutive months)
- 10 consecutive months for early childhood educators, psychologists, social workers, and teachers, if they worked in a school
- Does not apply to residents in family medicine
- Provided in-person services for a minimum of 400 hours
- Have a student loan that is in good standing (must be up to date on your payments)
If you’ve worked in your eligible occupation for a full year, don’t wait to apply to the program if you need it, because you only have 90 days to apply for the benefit.
“To remain eligible, you must reapply every year. A reminder will be sent to you each year as long as the Canada Student Financial Assistance Program records show that you may be eligible,” reads the site.
Ottawa does note that loan forgiveness can only be applied to the outstanding part of your federal student loan and doesn’t apply to the provincial or territorial part of your loan.
Eligible communities are defined by the government as a rural area or a population centre with no more than 30,000 people living in it.
If your occupation has been added to the list, you’ll need to apply by mail. The government says applications won’t be reviewed until March 2026.
For more information on the application process, check out the program’s site.
How much can you get?
Krakenimages.com/Shutterstock
Early childhood educators, dental hygienists or personal support workers could receive up to $15,000 over a maximum of five years.
Nurse practitioners, registered nurses, registered/licensed practical nurses, registered psychiatric nurses, midwives, teachers, social workers or physiotherapists could get up to $30,000.
Family doctors and family medicine residents, dentists, psychologists, or pharmacists could receive up to $60,000.
A detailed yearly breakdown of the amounts can also be found on the program’s site.