Government of Nova Scotia — Department of Advanced Education
One MyPATH application covers both federal and provincial aid. Nova Scotia university students also get $1,283 a year taken off tuition.
Published by G Paul · last checked August 31, 2026
Nova Scotia Student Assistance is the Province of Nova Scotia's student financial aid program, administered jointly with the federal Canada Student Financial Assistance Program. Unlike Quebec (which is opted out of federal aid), Nova Scotia participates fully in the federal program, so a single application via the MyPATH portal assesses you for both federal AND provincial aid in one step. The package combines repayable loans (federal + provincial) with non-repayable grants and bursaries, calculated per applicant based on financial need. Two companion programs deserve specific attention: (a) the Nova Scotia University Student Bursary, which automatically deducts $1,283/year from tuition at participating NS universities — no separate application required for eligible NS-resident undergraduates at NS institutions; (b) the NS Student Loan Forgiveness Program, which can forgive up to $20,400 of provincial student loan debt over 5 years for graduates with NS loans dated August 2015 or later, conditional on continued NS residency post-graduation. Both companion programs are foundation-level retention tools and stack with the main Student Assistance package.
You qualify for Nova Scotia Student Assistance if you (1) are a Nova Scotia resident under provincial residency rules; (2) are a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or protected person; (3) are enrolled (or accepted for enrolment) at a designated post-secondary institution — Nova Scotia or elsewhere in Canada; (4) demonstrate financial need per the integrated assessment. Both undergraduate and graduate students may apply. Trades, college, and university programs all qualify, with specific eligibility nuances per program type. Part-time students apply through a separate part-time stream within the same MyPATH portal. International students are not eligible for the main provincial aid (consult institution-specific bursary programs).
This is what the award's official page said when we last checked. Rules change, so confirm on the award's official page before you apply.
Check you meet every requirement, and note each document they ask for.
We don't have a confirmed date for this round. The award's official page will have it.
Use the Apply on the official site button on this page: it opens the official application page in a new tab.
We don't have a confirmed deadline for this one. Check the award's official page for this year's date.
No. You need to be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident or protected person.
FundMyCourse.ca · checked Aug 31, 2026
Need-based federal+provincial; +$1,283/yr NS University Bursary; +up to $20,400 over 5yr Loan Forgiveness
fundmycourse.ca/scholarships/nova-scotia-student-assistance-university-bursary-loan-forgiveness