Government of the Northwest Territories — Education, Culture and Employment
The only government aid for NWT residents, since NWT opted out of federal student loans. Basic Grant: $875 books plus up to $3,320 tuition a semester.
Published by G Paul · last checked September 23, 2026
Northwest Territories Student Financial Assistance (NWT SFA) is the standalone territorial program for NWT residents pursuing post-secondary studies. NWT does not take part in the federal Canada Student Financial Assistance Program — NWT residents do not apply to Canada Student Loans/Grants. The NWT SFA portal is the single channel for government student aid. The program has two distinct streams with different benefit levels: (a) Northern Indigenous Resident — for Indigenous residents of NWT, the most generous benefits including a Basic Grant covering $875/semester for books plus up to $3,320/semester for tuition; (b) Northern Resident — for non-Indigenous NWT residents schooled in the territory, somewhat reduced but still substantial benefits. Beyond the Basic Grant, all NWT SFA recipients can access (i) a Repayable Loan up to $1,400/month for living costs, (ii) NWT Disability Grants up to $20,000/year for eligible expenses including tutors, interpreters, and adaptive technology — among the most generous disability supports in Canada, (iii) NWT Course Reimbursement for working learners (up to $880/course, $8,800 lifetime — micro-credential friendly), and (iv) Loan Repayment Incentives including 0% interest and partial forgiveness for graduates who return to NWT residency post-graduation. The eligibility rule excludes stacking with federal aid: 'not be receiving aid from another provincial, territorial, or federal program.'
You qualify for NWT SFA if you (1) are a Canadian citizen or permanent resident; (2) are an NWT resident under the territorial residency rules — your specific stream depends on Indigenous status (Northern Indigenous Resident) vs schooling history (Northern Resident, schooled in NWT); (3) are enrolled in a post-secondary program in NWT or elsewhere in Canada; (4) are not also receiving aid from another provincial, territorial, or federal student aid program (the opt-out enforcement). The Disability Grants require documented disability + supporting professional assessment. The Course Reimbursement stream requires working-learner status and applies per-course rather than per-program, capped at $8,800 lifetime.
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.
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No. You need to be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.
FundMyCourse.ca · checked Sep 23, 2026
Northern Indigenous Resident: $875 books + $3,320 tuition/sem + $1,400/mo loan + up to $20,000/yr disability
fundmycourse.ca/scholarships/nwt-student-financial-assistance