Nova Scotia stacks the federal Canada Student Loan + Canada Student Grant against a robust provincial program: Nova Scotia Student Assistance, the Tuition Bursary, and the University Bursary Loan Forgiveness for graduates who stay in Nova Scotia. Combined with a deep slate of Atlantic university awards, well-prepared NS students access more provincial funding per capita than most Canadians realize.
Who this page is for
Nova Scotia residents applying to post-secondary in Nova Scotia or out-of-province. Out-of-province students at Nova Scotia universities should still check institutional entrance awards — many are open to all Canadians.
Nova Scotia Student Assistance
Apply at novascotia.ca/studentassistance:
- Nova Scotia Student Loan: provincial loan portion stacked on Canada Student Loan.
- Nova Scotia Bursary: provincial grant component (does not repay).
- Nova Scotia Tuition Bursary: targeted at full-time students at Nova Scotia universities; reduces tuition directly.
- NS Loan Forgiveness for Family Doctors / Nurses: full or partial loan forgiveness for graduates working in priority health professions in Nova Scotia.
Nova Scotia University Bursary Loan Forgiveness
Nova Scotia residents who complete an undergraduate degree at a Nova Scotia university within five years can have up to $20,400 of their provincial student loan portion forgiven. Apply through Nova Scotia Student Assistance after graduation.
Nova Scotia universities
- Dalhousie University: Dalhousie Entrance, Sexton Scholar Awards, Faculty Awards.
- Saint Mary's University (SMU): SMU Entrance, Don Casey, Loyola.
- Acadia University: Acadia Entrance, Reed Family, Founders' Scholarships.
- Mount Saint Vincent University (MSVU): MSVU Entrance, Bursary Awards.
- NSCAD University: NSCAD Entrance, Foundation Awards.
- St. Francis Xavier University (StFX): StFX Entrance, Coady Awards.
- Cape Breton University: CBU Entrance, Founders.
Nova Scotia Community College
NSCC offers entrance awards + continuing awards across its campuses. Trades programs at NSCC stack with federal apprenticeship grants.
Indigenous Nova Scotia students
- Mi'kmaq Education Trust: dedicated bursary programs.
- Indspire: national funding streams including Nova Scotia-eligible awards.
What our directory lists
Below: Nova Scotia-eligible scholarships, grants, bursaries, and loans currently in our directory. For the full Atlantic Canada student funding guide (covers NS + NB + NL + PEI), see the linked blog post.