Full-time status for students with disabilities

Summary#

These are the final Regulations Amending the Canada Student Loans Regulations (SOR/2022-132). They change how the rules define full-time and part-time students and different kinds of disability, and let some students with disabilities choose to be treated as full-time for loan purposes. The changes took effect on August 1, 2022.

What it does#

• Replaces the definitions of full-time student, part-time student, and permanent disability in the Canada Student Loans Regulations.
• Adds a new definition for “persistent or prolonged disability” that lasts, or is expected to last, 12 months or more but is not expected to be lifelong.
• Lets a person with either a permanent disability or a persistent or prolonged disability who is enrolled in at least 40% but less than 60% of a full course load elect to be treated as a full-time student.
• Updates the definition of “severe permanent disability” so it means an impairment that prevents someone from working in a way that is “substantially gainful” (as defined in the Canada Pension Plan regulations) and is expected to be lifelong.
• Comes into force on August 1, 2022.

Who's affected#

• Students with disabilities who study part-time or at reduced course loads.
• People enrolled between 40% and 60% of a full course load who may now choose full-time status if they meet the disability definition.
• Post-secondary institutions and student aid administrators who determine course loads and eligibility.
• Anyone applying for or receiving Canada student loans or related supports that depend on full-time status or disability status.

Why it matters#

• It gives some students with disabilities more flexibility to qualify as full-time. That can change access to loans, grants, or supports tied to full-time status.
• The clearer disability categories (permanent vs. persistent/prolonged) make the rules more specific about how long an impairment must last to count one way or another.
• The update to “severe permanent disability” links the test to the Canada Pension Plan’s idea of “substantially gainful” work, which may affect eligibility for disability-related provisions under the student loans rules.