After almost a decade of advocacy efforts from the Canadian Association of Social Workers (CASW), the federal government has added social workers to the list of eligible professions for Canada’s Student Loan Forgiveness program.
This alignment with other professions signals a federal recognition of the essential role social workers play in providing equitable access to care across Canada.
Who is eligible?
Eligibility applies to registered social workers who have worked in rural or remote communities with a population of 30,000 or fewer for at least one year and have provided at least 400 hours of in-person service.
Loan forgiveness begins at up to $4,000 in the first year and increases by $1,000 annually, up to a maximum of $30,000 over five years.
The program applies only to the federal portion of the Canadian Student Loans, and applications must be submitted within 90 days of completing one year of eligible service.
Currently, applications must be submitted by mail to the National Student Loans Service Centre, with online applications expected to be available in March 2026.
How will this decision impact Ontario Social Workers?
Many social workers graduate with substantial student debt and enter sectors that are underfunded and underpaid. This loan forgiveness reduces financial strain and makes it more feasible to pursue work in rural and remote communities without the same financial pressure. This new policy can also strengthen recruitment and retention in these areas, which have long struggled to attract full-time social workers.
Overall, this change represents both tangible financial support for social workers and meaningful recognition of the critical work they do in rural and remote communities.