If you are continuing in full-time studies, it’s important that your previous loans are put into interest-free status so that you don’t have to start repaying them and the Governments of Canada and/or Ontario continue to pay the interest on your behalf. Full-time studies are 60% or more of a full course load or 40% or more if you are a student with a permanent disability. You cannot get interest-free status if you are not in full-time studies. Student who do not keep their loan(s) in interest-free status are required to start repaying their loan(s) on the first day of the seventh month following the end of your last study period end date on file.
In order to have your loans placed into interest-free status, the National Student Loans Service Centre (NSLSC) and/or bank (for loans before 2001) need to know that you are in enrolled in full-time studies. There are 2 ways that this can be done:
• Through the Confirmation of Enrolment (COE) process where your school confirms that you have enrolled and started classes.
• Through the processing of a Continuation of Interest-Free Status/Confirmation of Enrolment (Schedule 2) form.
You have the option of using the CIFS form at any time or you can wait and allow the Confirmation of Enrolment (COE) process to be completed. Because the COE form is only available within 25 days of the start of your study period, you can choose to complete the CIFS instead, which is available for your school to complete as soon as you are given your OSAP assessment. However, it will not be processed until you have started school.
Through the Confirmation of Enrolment process your school will confirm that you are in school full-time. This process ensures that the NSLSC and/or bank is told that your loans should go into interest-free status. The way this happens depends on where you are going to school:
Your school, using an electronic process, will confirm your full-time enrolment to the ministry who will then inform the NSLSC/bank.
Your personalized Confirmation of Enrolment (COE) form will be mailed directly to your school. They must complete and return to the ministry. If the information is complete and valid, the ministry will inform the NSLSC/bank. Your COE form is generally mailed to your school about 25 days before the start of your study period.
Your personalized Confirmation of Enrolment (COE) form can be printed online (go to “Required Documents” page). Or, if you have asked the ministry to mail all forms to you, it will be sent to you by mail. You must submit it to your school for completion. You or your school must ensure that it is returned to the ministry. If the information is complete and valid, the ministry will inform the NSLSC/bank. Your COE form is generally available for you to print or mailed to you about 25 days before the start of your study period.
The Continuation of Interest-Free Status/Confirmation of Enrolment (CIFS) form is used to inform the NSLSC/bank.
A CIFS form has been personalized for you. Go to “Required Documents” to print your copy. Once classes begin for your new study period, fill out Section 1 of this form and submit it to the financial aid office at your school to complete and update.
Your school will either complete the CIFS form electronically or forward the paper form to the ministry. If the information is complete and valid, the ministry will inform the NSLSC/bank.
You or your school must send the completed CIFS form to the ministry. If the information is complete and valid, the ministry will inform the NSLSC/bank.
It is critical that you submit the CIFS form to your school in enough time for it to be approved and processed within 6 months from the end of your last term. It takes approximately 3 weeks to approve and process. In the case of students who left school in April and are starting a new term in September, the CIFS form should be submitted by the first of October. If you delay, you may not get full interest-free status and you may be required to pay some interest. A CIFS form is not valid if submitted after the end of your current study period. The date of the CIFS form cannot be made retroactive.