Canada Student Loan Forgiveness Program for Dental Hygienists
As of December 31, 2025, the Government of Canada has expanded the
Canada Student Loan Forgiveness Program
to include dental hygienists.
If you have graduated from dental hygiene and have been providing direct
patient care services in eligible rural or remote communities with a
population of no more than 30,000. This program may help reduce your
federal student loan debt while you provide meaningful community-focused
dental hygiene services in underserved areas.
Who is eligible?
To be eligible, a dental hygienist must:
- have received a federal student loan during their studies
- have an outstanding portion to reimburse the government
-
have a student loan that is in good standing (must be up to date with
payments)
-
have been employed in dental hygiene for a minimum of one full year (12
consecutive months)
-
have provided a minimum of 400 hours of in-person dental hygiene
services to an eligible community
When can I apply?
You can apply within 90 days after completing your full year of service
and working a minimum of 400 hours in an eligible community. Furthermore,
you can apply if you have fulfilled the work requirement and decide to
pursue further education or if you are in your 6-month non-repayment
period for your loan.
You will need to apply annually if you carry a Canada Student Loan balance
at the end of each year of service in an eligible community.
How much can I receive?
You may receive Canada Student Loan forgiveness for each year you work in
an eligible community, up to a total of $15,000 over a maximum of 5 years
if you carry an outstanding balance. Your years of service do not have to
be consecutive.
Forgiveness amounts by year
- Year 1: $2,000
- Year 2: $2,500
- Year 3: $3,000
- Year 4: $3,500
- Year 5: $4,000
- Maximum total: $15,000
Which communities are eligible?
Enter the postal code of the workplace
here
to find out.
Tips for dental hygienists
-
Keep records of employment, all eligible work locations, and schedules.
-
Maintain a valid professional registration or licence to practise.
-
Apply every year you remain eligible—forgiveness is not automatic.
-
Make sure your student loan information is up to date with the NSLSC.
Why this program matters
- Helps reduce federal student loan debt for dental hygienists
-
Supports professionals who commit to working in rural and underserved
communities
-
Strengthens access to essential dental hygiene services for communities
across Canada