Northwest Territories students can draw on several territorial aid streams, with higher Basic Grant amounts for Indigenous residents. NWT Student Financial Assistance provides a Basic Grant of up to $3,320 in tuition plus $875 in books per semester for Northern Indigenous residents, a Supplementary Grant scaled by family size for monthly living allowance, a Remissible Loan that can be forgiven in full if you return to the territory after studies, and a Repayable Loan up to $1,400 a month with a $90,000 lifetime ceiling. The Northern Bonus retired in 2024 but the Remissible Loan still rewards graduates who come home.
Who this page is for
Northwest Territories residents applying to post-secondary in NWT or anywhere else in Canada. Out-of-territory students at Aurora College should check institutional entrance and continuing awards open to all Canadians.
NWT Student Financial Assistance
Apply through Education, Culture and Employment at least four months before your program start date. The single application assesses you for all components.
Basic Grant
The Basic Grant covers tuition, books, and travel directly:
- Northern Indigenous Residents: $875 for books and up to $3,320 for tuition per semester.
- Northern Residents schooled in NWT: $700 for books and up to $2,655 for tuition per semester.
Supplementary Grant
A monthly living allowance determined by family size. Available alongside the Basic Grant for eligible residents.
Remissible Loan
A monthly living allowance for NWT residents who lived in the territory for 12 months before applying. The Remissible Loan may be fully forgiven if you return to the Northwest Territories once you finish full-time studies. With the Northern Bonus retired, the Remissible Loan now carries most of the "come home to NWT" incentive in the program.
Repayable Loan
Up to $1,400 a month for tuition, books, travel, and living expenses. Lifetime cap raised from $60,000 to $90,000 effective November 1, 2024. Standard repayment terms after the in-study period.
Grant for Students with Disabilities
Up to $4,000 a year for eligible expenses, or up to $20,000 a year for higher-cost accommodation needs. Apply through NWT SFA.
Course Reimbursement
Up to $880 per course, with an $8,800 lifetime maximum, for part-time or distance learners.
Application deadlines
- Fall start (August or September programs): applications by June 30 each year.
- Winter start (December or January programs): applications by October 31 each year.
- Other start dates: applications at least one month before program begins.
Contact NWT Student Financial Assistance at 1-800-661-0793 or nwtsfa@gov.nt.ca. The office sits on the 1st floor of Lahm Ridge Tower, 4501-50th Avenue, Yellowknife.
Aurora College
Aurora College is the territory's public college, with campuses in Yellowknife, Fort Smith, and Inuvik plus a network of community learning centres. Aurora College administers entrance awards and continuing awards across its programs. Trades and apprenticeship students can stack Aurora College awards on federal apprenticeship grants and NWT SFA.
Indigenous NWT students
- Indigenous and Northern Affairs / Crown-Indigenous Relations: post-secondary education funding for status First Nations and Inuit students.
- Inuvialuit Regional Corporation: education funding for Inuvialuit beneficiaries in the Western Arctic.
- Métis Nation NWT: funding streams for NWT Métis students.
- Indspire: national funding with NWT-eligible awards. The Building Brighter Futures bursary closes around August 1 each year, so check Indspire for the next intake if that date has passed.
NWT-specific institutional partners
NWT students can attend out-of-territory institutions including the University of Alberta, the University of Saskatchewan, Yukon University, and southern colleges. NWT SFA travels with you to any recognized Canadian post-secondary institution.
What our directory covers
Below are Northwest Territories-eligible scholarships, grants, bursaries, and awards checked on each award's official page. Every listing shows the date we last checked it. For Indigenous-specific funding nationally, see the linked Indigenous student funding guide.