StudentAid BC offers 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.

During approved medical or parental leave, you will not be required to repay your federal or BC student loans. The medical or parental leave starts on the day after you withdrew from studies. If needed, you can extend your medical or parental leave for another six months, up to a maximum of 18 consecutive months.

There is no lifetime limit on medical and parental leave. If you return to school and experience another medical problem or welcome another child, you can reapply for new medical or parental leave for six months up to a maximum of another 18 months.

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.

Note: The time you take on medical or parental leave does not count toward the lifetime maximum weeks of StudentAid BC financial assistance.