Repayment Assistance Plan

Effective August 1, 2023, StudentAid BC will enhance the BC Repayment Assistance Plan (BC RAP) eligibility by increasing the income threshold for when a student loan payment is not required from $25,000 per year to $40,000 per year for a single person, and higher depending on your family size. This threshold will also be indexed annually to inflation. BC RAP will also be lowering the maximum payment required from 20% to 10% of family income. If you’re receiving support through RAP, you can contact the National Student Loans Service Centre (NSLSC) for more information.

The Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP) helps you manage your Canada Student Loan and B.C. Student Loan debt by reducing your monthly payment and allowing you to pay back what you can reasonably afford.

Am I eligible?

You may be eligible for Canada and B.C. RAP if you:

  • have a Canada-B.C. integrated student loan;
  • are a resident of Canada; and
  • meet the income threshold set for each program

How do I apply?

You can apply for both Canada RAP and B.C. RAP on one application form. For information on how to apply, visit the National Student Loans Service Centre website or call 1-888-815-4514.

About the program

The British Columbia Repayment Assistance Program (BC RAP) assists BC borrowers who received repayable student financial assistance via a Canada/BC integrated loan and are having temporary financial difficulty with repayment.

There are two types of repayment assistance available:

  1. 1 Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP) – Stage 1 and Stage 2; and
  2. 2 RAP for Borrowers with Disability (RAP–D)

RAP Stage 1:
Borrowers pay an Affordable Payment and the federal and provincial governments cover any interest amount owing (if applicable) that a borrower’s monthly RAP payment does not cover. A borrower eligible for RAP could receive this benefit for up to 60 months, or until they have been out of school for 10 years. Because no principal is covered by the federal or provincial governments during Stage 1, the amortization period is suspended.

RAP Stage 2:
For those on RAP for at least 60 months or in repayment for at least 10 years, principal, and any interest, if charged, not covered by the borrower’s monthly affordable payments is covered by the federal and provincial governments. This ensures that there will be no debt remaining beyond a 14.5-year amortization period.

Where to get an application
Borrowers must apply for BC RAP. Borrowers only need to fill out one application form to apply for both the Canada and BC RAP programs. Borrowers can apply online.

When to submit applications
Borrowers must reapply for BC RAP once every 6 months until they are no longer eligible or their loan is paid in full.

For more information on BC RAP and how to apply, please visit the NSLSC website or call 1-888-815-4514.

Canada Repayment Assistance Plan (Canada RAP)

The terms of the Canada RAP are described in the applicable provisions of the Canada Student Financial Assistance Act, as amended (the "Federal Act") and the Canada Student Financial Student Assistance Regulations, as amended (the "Federal Regulations").