Canada Student Financial Assistance Regulations

43 (1) The Minister may, on the request of the borrower, make a gratuitous payment to a lender pursuant to section 42 or reduce a borrower's student loans or guaranteed student loans pursuant to section 42.1 when the criterion set out in paragraph 42(1)(e) or 42.1(1)(e), as the case may be, has not been met if the Minister determines, based on documentary evidence provided by the borrower, that

• (a) unforeseen and unavoidable circumstances beyond the control of the borrower or their spouse or common-law partner have led to the borrower incurring extraordinary expenses; and

• (b) the borrower is able to make the instalments on the reduced debt.

(2) The Minister shall provide a notice of the determination to the borrower in the case of the reduction of the principal amount of a direct loan, and to the borrower and the lender in all other cases.