National Student Loans Service Centre (NSLSC) / OSAP letter explained in English

Student loans. Manages government student loans and grants, like Canada Student Loans and your province’s student aid.

Letters you may get

• Repayment schedule — how much you pay each month, and from when
• Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP) decision — lower or no payments if your income is low
• Missed payment or default notice — you are behind on payments

What to do

• Repayment usually starts 6 months after you finish school. Canada Student Loans no longer charge interest, but some provincial loans may.
• If you can’t pay, apply for the Repayment Assistance Plan before you miss payments.
• Find the deadline. Look for “deadline”, “pay by”, “due date”, “within”, “no later than”.
• Write the reference number from the letter on everything you send back, and keep copies.
• If you disagree with a decision, object in writing before the deadline (“notice of objection”, “request for reconsideration”, “appeal”, “objection”, “review”, “dispute”). See the template.

Questions

What is the National Student Loans Service Centre (NSLSC) / OSAP?

Student loans. Manages government student loans and grants, like Canada Student Loans and your province’s student aid.

How long do I have to answer a letter from the National Student Loans Service Centre (NSLSC) / OSAP?

It depends on the letter. Look for words like “deadline”, “pay by”, “due date”, “within”, “no later than” — they mark the deadline. In Canada, many deadlines count from the date printed on the letter, not from the day it arrives — for example, the 90 days to object to a tax notice. Mail can take several days, so check the date on the letter and act early. To object, the letter usually names the way to do it (“notice of objection”, “request for reconsideration”, “appeal”, “objection”, “review”, “dispute”).

Can I read a National Student Loans Service Centre (NSLSC) / OSAP letter in English?

Yes. Take a photo of the letter with Briefly. It explains the letter in plain English, finds the deadline and the amount, and gives you ready-made replies in English. Your letter never leaves your device.

Other offices in Canada

Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) · Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) · Service Canada · Provincial health plan (OHIP, MSP, AHCIP …) · Ministry of Finance / Revenue (your province) · ServiceOntario / ICBC / registry office · City or town — property tax department · City bylaw enforcement / parking