First Time Applying

Questions:

1. How long will it take before I know if I am eligible for a Canada Student Loan(CSL)/Nova Scotia Student Loan (NSSL). Can a rush be put on my application?
   

2. Do I have to apply separately for Canada and NS Student Assistance?

3. Do I have to be accepted into my program before I apply for assistance?

4. What does "negotiate my Certificate of Eligibility" mean?

5. What happens if I change schools or withdraw from school?

6. What are the most important documents I should have on hand when I go to negotiate my student loan?

7. What if I will be studying outside of Canada?
   

8. I never graduated from high school, what do I put under education history?

9. I am currently unemployed, what do I put under employment history?

10. Do I have to re-apply every year?

11. Can I get a full-time and part-time loan at the same time?

Answers:

1. How long will it take before I know if I am eligible for a CSL/NSSL? Can a rush be put on my application?

   Once you have applied, it usually takes 4-6 weeks to process your application so please submit your application a minimum of 6 weeks before your classes begin. Your application will be processed in order of date received. Applying online is the recommended way to submit your application. It is a faster process and reduces the number of errors which may occur. If you are submitting a paper application, proofread your application before submitting it to ensure that all sections have been fully and correctly completed, and that you have signed the application.

2. Do I have to apply separately for Canada and NS Student Assistance?

   No. Since provincial authorities administer the Canada Student Loan Program you only need to submit a Nova Scotia Student Assistance application to be considered for both federal and provincial assistance.

3. Do I have to be accepted into my program before I apply for assistance?

   No. You do not have to be accepted to apply for student financial assistance. Once you have made the decision to enroll in post-secondary studies, you can submit an application for assistance with the name of the school you are most likely to attend.

4. What does "negotiate my Certificate of Eligibility" mean?

   In signing the Certificate of Eligibility (paper loan document) you have agreed to meet all of your obligations and responsibilities associated with keeping your loan in good standing while in school and in repayment. Please read the back of your Certificate of Eligibility before signing. Remember it's your loan, your responsibility.
   
   If you are attending a Nova Scotia post secondary institution, your Nova Scotia student loan will be processed through the electronic certificate (e-cert) process. You agreed to meet all obligations and responsibilities of your Nova Scotia student loan when you applied online and accepted the terms and conditions of the Declaration and Consent.

5. What happens if I change schools or withdraw from school?

   If you have not received or have not negotiated your Certificate of Eligibility (paper loan document), or your electronic certificate has not been confirmed, you can notify the Nova Scotia Student Assistance office by phone, and provide the updated school information to a Client Service Officer so that your file can be updated.
   
   
   If you received your Certificate of Eligibility (paper loan documents) please return it to the Nova Scotia Student Assistance Office to be cancelled and/or updated with the new information.
   
   
   If you have already negotiated your Certificate of Eligibility or your electronic certificate has been processed, please have your school complete a Confirmation of Withdrawal Form to be submitted to the Student Assistance Office and forward a new completed application for the new school you wish to attend.

6. What are the most important documents I should have on hand when I go the Resolve Kiosk on campus or Canada Post to negotiate my student loan?

   Once your Certificate of Eligibility is signed and dated by your school, your Social Insurance Number (SIN) card or any other Government of Canada official document with your social insurance number on it(i.e., Your income tax return); a government photo ID (driver’s license, passport or citizen card), and a void cheque or direct deposit information.
   
   
   If you are attending a Nova Scotia post secondary institution, your Nova Scotia student loan will be processed through the electronic certificate process and you will need to submit a void cheque or direct deposit information to the Student Assistance Office.

7. What if I will be studying outside of Canada?

   Your student loan must be negotiated in Canada so we recommend that you give "power of attorney" to your next of kin. These arrangements can be made with your lender before you leave the country so that someone in Canada has the ability to sign for you. If this is not possible, you can contact the service provider(s) for further instructions

8. I never graduated from high school, what do I put under education history?

   List the last year you were in high school full time and the highest level completed.

9. I am currently unemployed, what do I put under employment history?

   You must list both periods of Unemployment and Employment since High School, starting with your most recent period. If it has been more than 10 years since you last attended high school go back at least 4 years. Employment History is required so that your group category and residence can be verified.

10. Do I have to re-apply every year?

    Yes, your costs and resources will change for each academic year, therefore you must apply for each academic year that you need a student loan.

    Each application can be processed for a maximum of 52 weeks.

11. Can I get a full-time and part-time loan at the same time?

    No, you can only get one loan, for one school, for one academic period.

To get more information on your student loans visit the Nova Scotia Student Assistance website at http://studentloans.ednet.ns.ca or by telephone at:
424-8420 (Metro Halifax)
1-800-565-8420 (Toll free in Canada)


For information on your Canada Student Loan (CSL), contact National/CSLP at 1-888-815-4514

For information on your Nova Scotia Student Loan (NSSL) contact Resolve at 1-877-283-1687