Severe Permanent Disability Benefit

If you have a severe permanent disability that prevents you from participating in post-secondary studies and the labour force for the rest of your life, you may be able to have your student loans cancelled through the Severe Permanent Disability Benefit.

What is a severe permanent disability?

The Canada Student Financial Assistance Regulations defines a “severe permanent disability” as a functional limitation caused by a physical or mental impairment that:

  • Prevents the borrower from performing the daily activities necessary to participate in studies at a post-secondary school level and in the labour force; and
  • Is expected to remain with the person for their expected life.

Eligibility requirements

To be eligible to apply for the PEI Severe Permanent Disability Benefit, you must be already approved for the Federal Severe Permanent Disability Benefit (which cancels your federal student loan).

How do I apply for Severe Permanent Disability Benefit?

  1. Contact the National Student Loans Service Centre at 1-888-815-4514 to apply for the Federal Severe Permanent Disability Benefit.
  2. Once you are approved for the Federal Severe Permanent Disability Benefit, then contact the PEI Student Loan office to apply for the provincial benefit. You will be required to complete an application and provide supporting documentation that you have been approved for the Federal Severe Permanent Disability Benefit.

Additional information

If approved for this program, although your PEI Student Loan will be cancelled, you will not be eligible to receive any new student loans or grants.

Contact Information:

Student Financial Services

176 Great George St., P.O. Box 2000

Charlottetown, PE

C1A 7N8

Telephone: (902) 368-4640

Fax: (902) 368-6144

Email: studentloan@gov.pe.ca

Published date: 
May 24, 2016
Workforce, Advanced Learning and Population

General Inquiries

Student Financial Services
176 Great George Street
2nd Floor, Atlantic Technology Centre
PO Box 2000
Charlottetown, PE C1A 7N8

Phone: 902-368-4640

studentloan@gov.pe.ca