How do I confirm in-study payment-free (interest-free) status?
Once you have borrowed student loan funding, you are responsible for updating your 'in-study' status with NSLSC, to prevent entering repayment prematurely. Students will need to sign in to NSLSC Online Services with a My Service Canada Account (MCSA) as of May 1, 2025.
There are two ways of updating your status with NSLSC; both involve what is called 'confirmation of enrolment.'
Confirmation of enrolment is when the institution (SFU) responds to a government request to confirm whether a student is enrolled for either additional student financial assistance or for in-study, payment-free status requests. The confirmed enrolment status will only be valid for a certain duration of time, generally one term.
To request 'confirmation of enrolment,' either:
- Apply for a new student aid application for the term.
Upon successful assessment of the application, the government with ask SFU for confirmation of enrolment. OR - Submit a request to confirm enrolment for in-study payment-free (interest-free) status for the term.
Upon successful submission of the interest-free application, the government will ask SFU for confirmation of enrolment.
SFU will provide confirmation of enrolment to the province of application and/or NSLSC as long as you meet the enrolment criteria of the loan or in-study, payment-free application. For example, you'll need to be enrolled full-time, to receive confirmation of enrolment on a full-time aid application.
For a student aid application, confirmation of enrollment will:
- Release your student aid funding,
- Update your status to 'in-study,' preventing interest from accumulating and
- Update your study end date.
For an in-study, payment-free request, confirmation of enrolment will:
- Update your status to 'in-study,' preventing interest from accumulating and
- Update your study end date.
Where do I apply for in-study payment-free (interest-free) status?
For students studying full-time, with previous full-time student loans:
BC students should apply through their StudentAid BC Dashboard for the quickest, most efficient method of updating their status to 'in-study.'
Ontario students may use their OSAP Online Account to submit a request for Continuation of Interest-Free Status (CFIS).
Quebec students can request that Financial Aid and Awards complete a Confirmation of Student Status - Full-Time (Form 2006) for study periods for which they did not aplpy for student financial assistance.
All other Out of Province students may use their National Student Loans Service Centre (NSLSC) Account to submit an interest-free application.
For students studying part-time, with previous part-time student loans:
All students may use their National Student Loans Service Centre (NSLSC) Account to submit an interest-free application, indicating 'part-time' as their enrolment.
Note:
Requesting confirmation of enrolment is not enough. You must ensure that SFU has responded successfully to the confirmation of enrolment request. You can check your StudentAid BC dashboard and/or NSLSC account to confirm a successful update to your in-study status.
Confirmation of in-study status is not an application for further student aid. You must submit a new application through your home province for additional funding if you require it.