1. How is a student line of credit different from a student loan?
Lines of credit and student loans each have two parties: a borrower (that’s you) and a lender.
You apply for a line of credit such as a student line of credit from a financial institution, like a bank or credit union. After your application is approved, you can withdraw funds as you need them, up to your approved limit — which is usually much more than a student loan. Some financial institutions will let you withdraw only part of your total limit each year.
Student loans are interest-free until you graduate from medical school, while a student line of credit starts accumulating interest as soon as you withdraw funds.
A student loan is issued by (and repaid to) the federal or provincial government. When you’re a student, you apply each year for new loans, and you are advanced the amount you’re approved for in one lump sum.
2. What’s the benefit of a student line of credit compared with a student loan?
A student line of credit is a lot more flexible than a student loan: you can borrow what you need when you need it, instead of getting the entire loan amount advanced when the loan is approved.
This means that you can manage how much you borrow over time in a much more hands-on way.
Through the Scotiabank Healthcare+ Physician Program, medical students and residents can apply for the Scotia Professional® Student Plan. It offers a line of credit of up to $350,000 with an interest rate of prime minus 0.25%1, fully available at account opening and no payments are required until two years have finished your residency2. Note, however, that interest is charged on amounts withdrawn will be payable from the time of withdrawal. Besides the line of credit, you can also qualify for other banking benefits including a fee waiver on your chequing account and select credit cards (subject to conditions).
3. Are there restrictions on how the funds from a student line of credit are spent?
No — you can spend the funds on anything you choose. That’s why it makes sense to stick to a borrowing plan that’s based on your budget. Otherwise it can be easy to “over-borrow,” just because the funds are available — resulting in more debt to pay back later!
4. How is the interest on a student line of credit calculated?
Interest is calculated daily on the amount you’ve borrowed, based on the lending rate set by the issuing financial institution. That rate, in turn, is usually based on the lender’s prime rate (the rate the lender charges its best customers) and expressed as an annual percentage.3
A typical lending rate for a student line of credit would be the lender’s prime rate3. Under the Scotiabank Professional® Student Plan Line of Credit2, Scotiabank offers prime minus 0.25%. Interest is calculated daily and added to the amount you owe on a monthly basis.
5. Could the interest rate charged on a student line of credit change over time?
Yes! If the lending rate set by the lender goes up or down, the interest calculated and owing on the funds you borrow will change as well.
If the rate goes up, the amount of interest charged on the amount you owe will go up, as it’s calculated using a higher interest rate.
If the rate goes down, the amount of interest calculated on the amount you owe will go down.
6. While I’m a resident, do I have to pay anything toward my student line of credit debt?
The repayment rules during residency will differ from lender to lender. With some lenders, you will need to pay the interest amount on the withdrawn funds on a monthly basis. Other lenders will allow you to “capitalize” the interest payments (add the interest payments to your outstanding balance). Just remember that regardless of the repayment rules, interest is always accumulating on the funds you borrow.
7. What happens if I choose to capitalize the interest payments on my student line of credit?
If your lender gives you the option of capitalizing interest payments, the accumulated interest is added to the outstanding balance. This is called “capitalization of interest.” The downside is you will be paying interest on the interest you already owe.
8. What happens to my student line of credit when I finish residency?
Different lenders have different rules for repayment once residency is over. Some require that repayments start as soon as residency is over, while others will let you delay the start of repayments for a full year or two. With the Scotiabank Professional® Student Plan, you have a two-year grace period after you’ve finished residency before you need to start repaying3 and you have the option to continue with a revolving line of credit post-residency at the same rate of prime minus 0.25%2. Note, however, that interest is charged on amounts withdrawn will be payable from the time of withdrawal.
Your financial situation will change once you finish residency. If you have time before the repayments begin, you can use it to put together a debt repayment plan as part of your overall financial plan, based on your new financial situation.
9. If I finish medical school with a lot of debt, will I still meet my financial goals?
The reality is that most medical students in Canada graduate with some debt. But access to borrowed funds is a big part of what allows students and residents to complete their training, and fulfill their goal of becoming physicians. Borrowing with the support of professional advice and a financial plan that’s tailored to you can help you prioritize and achieve your financial goals during residency and beyond.
10. Where can I learn more?
The student line of credit can be the perfect solution to your borrowing needs through residency and as you transition into practice. Contact an MD Advisor* or Scotiabank Advisor to learn more.
All banking and credit products and services are offered by The Bank of Nova Scotia (“Scotiabank”) unless otherwise noted. Credit and lending products are subject to credit approval by Scotiabank. Terms and conditions apply to all reward programs and benefits and should be reviewed carefully before applying. All offers, rates, fees, features, reward programs and benefits and related terms and conditions are subject to change. Visit scotiabank.com or speak with your MD Advisor or a Scotiabank representative for full details
® Registered trademarks of The Bank of Nova Scotia.
* MD Advisor refers to an MD Management Limited Financial Consultant or Investment Advisor (in Quebec), or an MD Private Investment Counsel Portfolio Manager
1 The annual interest rate will vary with Scotiabank Prime and, where applicable, the adjustment factor. Scotiabank Prime is the prime lending rate of Scotiabank published from time to time and is subject to change. We may also change the adjustment factor with prior notice. You can find the current Scotiabank Prime lending rate at https://www.scotiabank.com/ca/en/personal/rates-prices.html or by contacting Scotiabank 1(800) 4SCOTIA (1-800-472-6842)
2 While you remain in school and for 24 months after your residency program ends (the “Repayment Grace Period”) no payments will be required on your Scotia Professional Student Plan Line of Credit (the “Account”) so long as your balance does not exceed the credit limit on your Account but interest will continue to accrue during that Repayment Grace Period and is charged on any amount you borrow starting from the day you borrow until you pay that amount in full. See the Application Disclosure Statement we provide to you or speak with your Scotiabank Advisor for more information about the repayment grace period and how interest is charged to your Account.
3 Prime rate means the annual variable interest rate published by the lending financial institution from time to time as the benchmark interest rate for Canadian dollar demand loans. This rate is subject to change without notice.
The above information should not be construed as offering specific financial, investment, foreign or domestic taxation, legal, accounting or similar professional advice nor is it intended to replace the advice of independent tax, accounting or legal professionals.
