Am I eligible to stay in the non-repayment period or in-study payment-free status if I need to leave school for medical or parental reasons?

Effective October 1, 2020, StudentAid BC began offering a six-month medical or parental leave to borrowers who need to take a temporary leave from school for medical reasons, including mental health reasons, or following the birth or adoption of a child.

While on an approved medical or parental leave, you are considered to be in-study and therefore will maintain your payment-free status as well, time on medical or parental leave is not counted towards your lifetime maximum weeks of student financial assistance.

To learn more about the eligibility requirements and to access the application for medical or parental leave, please visit the Canada Student Financial Assistance Program page.