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Government of Nova Scotia — Department of Advanced Education · Provincial

Nova Scotia Student Assistance + University Bursary + Loan Forgiveness

Reviewed by G Paul · verified May 1, 2026

Need-based federal+provincial; +$1,283/yr NS University Bursary; +up to $20,400 over 5yr Loan Forgiveness

Total value

About this award

Nova Scotia's combined federal-provincial student aid program — loans, grants, and bursaries via one integrated MyPATH application. Includes companion programs: NS University Student Bursary ($1,283/year automatic at NS universities) + NS Loan Forgiveness Program (up to $20,400 over 5 years for post-2015 NS loans).

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.

Can you get it?

Canadian Citizen or Permanent Resident or Protected Person — citizenship requirement
College, Undergraduate, Graduate, Trades — study level
Resident of NS — provincial eligibility

How to apply

Review eligibility and gather your documents~1 hour
Read the official award page end-to-end. Confirm you meet every requirement before you start.
Submit before the posted deadline~1 hour
Check the official source for the current deadline: save a copy and submit at least 24 hours early.

More details

Strategy

Apply through MyPATH 6+ weeks before classes start — the integrated assessment for both federal and provincial portions takes time.

Strategy

The NS University Student Bursary is automatic at participating NS universities, so check with your institution's financial aid office to confirm it's been applied to your tuition account; if not, follow up.

Strategy

The Loan Forgiveness Program is post-graduation — track your NS residency carefully if you're planning to use it, because moving out of province during the 5-year window can suspend forgiveness.

Strategy

If you're studying outside Nova Scotia at a designated institution elsewhere in Canada, you remain eligible for NS provincial aid as long as your home is in NS — but if you're enrolled at a private institution outside Canada, eligibility tightens (effective rules vary; verify on the MyPATH portal).

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