You may have questions about SFA that are easily answered by reading the SFA Student Handbook. Some questions can be answered from the list of FAQs below. If you have any questions or need specific details about your SFA file, call the SFA Office toll-free at 1-800-661-0793 or email nwtsfa@gov.nt.ca.

What is the loan limit for Student Financial Assistance?

The Remissible Loan and Repayable Loan are limited to a revolving loan limit, which has increased from $60,000 to $90,000.  The loan limit is the maximum amount of funding that a student can receive through loans from Student Financial Assistance.

This limit is a revolving limit, which means once students make payments to their loan balance or earn remission, they are able to access that amount of money again from the Student Financial Assistance program.

What is the limit a student can have in loans for Student Financial Assistance?

In November 2024, the loan limit for Student Financial Assistance was increased from $60,000 to $90,000.

For the 2024-2025 academic year, students who are already receiving Student Financial Assistance and are nearing the $60,000 loan limit, or students who were previously denied in 2024-2025 due to meeting the $60,000 loan limit are encouraged to submit the 2024-2025 Expanded Loan Limit Application, so they can be considered under the new $90,000 loan limit.

Beginning in November 2024, all new Student Financial Assistance applicants will be considered under the $90,000 loan limit.

I previously maxed out my limit for grants and loans, am I eligible?

The increased loan limit has no impact on grants offered through the Student Financial Assistance program.

If you are a student who previously met the $60,000 loan limit, you may be eligible for additional funding. If you are a current student receiving Student Financial Assistance or were denied for funding in the 2024-2025 academic year for meeting the $60,000 loan limit, you are encouraged to submit the 2024-2025 Expanded Loan Limit Application.

As of November 2024, all students who submit an application for Student Financial Assistance will be considered under the $90,000 loan limit.

Why was the Northern Bonus discontinued?

The removal of the Northern Bonus from the Student Financial Assistance program was a difficult decision, but a necessary one as part of the GNWT’s review of its fiscal capacity. However, the program was improved in 2023 to better help students pursue their educational goals and borrowers can still take advantage of other loan repayment incentives, including loan forgiveness and 0 percent interest on loans.

What loan repayment initiative does Student Financial Assistance offer to students once they have completed their studies?

Student Financial Assistance offers two loan repayment incentives to encourage you to return and reside in the NWT and to help alleviate the burden of student debt:

• Loan forgiveness (remission), which can provide up to $6,000 to $12,000 in loan forgiveness per year, depending on the community you live in.  
• 0 percent interest on loans

To learn more about these initiatives, visit www.ece.gov.nt.ca/sft-loan-repayment-and-incentives.

When can I apply for loan repayment incentives?

Applications for loan repayment incentives are accepted twice a year and must be submitted by April 15 and October 15.

• April 15 applications will be accepted between March 1 through April 15
• October 15 applications will be accepted September 1 through October 15

Late applications are not accepted.

If you have any questions about your loan repayment details, please contact your Finance Officer, Revenue and Collections, who will be happy to assist you.

Designated/Accredited Educational Institutions

In order to receive SFA, you must provide proof of enrollment in an approved program at an accredited post-secondary institution.

To find out if your college or university is approved, please refer to the Master List of Designated Educational Institutions. Still have questions? Contact the SFA Office toll-free by calling 1-800-661-0793 or email nwtsfa@gov.nt.ca.

Do I need to be accepted into a post-secondary program or school before applying for SFA?

No, you can apply for SFA before being accepted into a post-secondary program or institution.

Apply by your application deadline to ensure you receive SFA funding on time for your first semester. 

Late applications for full-time studies are accepted but payment is not guaranteed for the start of your program.

I'm applying for SFA, what's the difference between a Remissible and Repayable Loan?

The Remissible Loan is a monthly living allowance you may qualify for if you are ordinarily a resident of the NWT for 12 months before applying. The Remissible Loan may be forgiven if you return to the NWT once you cease full-time studies. 

The Repayable Loan is a needs-assessed loan based on education-related expenses. The Repayable Loan is 100% repayable and you must start making payments towards your Repayable Loan once you cease to be a full-time student, even if you return to the NWT.

What else do I need to hand in when I submit the application for funding?

Nothing! The SFA Office will contact you after assessing your application when further documents are required.

The Remissible Loan or Supplementary Grant living allowance aren't enough to cover my education-related costs, what else can I do?

SFA is intended to supplement the cost of obtaining a post-secondary education, not to cover all expenses. Other options may include:

• Applying for the Repayable Loan. This is a needs-assessed loan based on your education-related expenses
• Exploring various Scholarships and Bursaries available to post-secondary students
• Reviewing your school’s website for opportunities that may be available
• If you’re an Indigenous student, contact your Indigenous organization to see if they offer top-up funding.

What's the difference between part-time and full-time studies?

Full-time studies means being enrolled in 60% or higher course load. Part-time studies is being enrolled in less than a 60% post-secondary course load. For example, if your school considers 15 credits per semester as a 100% course load, you would need to be enrolled in at least 9 credits (60%) to qualify for full-time SFA benefits.

If you are a student with a permanent, persistent or prolonged disability, you may be considered a full-time student while being enrolled in 40% or higher course load. For example, if your school considers 15 credits per semester as a 100% course load, you would need to be enrolled in at least 6 credits (40%) to qualify for full-time SFA benefits. For more information on how to be considered a student with a permanent, persistent or prolonged disability, contact your Student Case Officer or email nwtsfa@gov.nt.ca.

Do I need to notify SFA if I drop a course?

Yes, it is important to contact the SFA Office if you drop or withdraw from a course to make sure your SFA benefits are not affected. If you drop to part-time studies during a semester, you will no longer be eligible for SFA funding. Please contact the SFA Office before dropping or withdrawing from a course to see how your funding may be affected.

If I don't return to the NWT over summer between academic years, am I still allowed to access SFA?

Yes, generally summer breaks are from May to August of each year. If you choose not to return to the NWT for summer, your residency will not necessarily be affected. Your residency may change if you are outside of the NWT for 12 or more continuous months without being considered a full-time post-secondary student. If your residency changes, you may have to seek post-secondary funding from other provinces or territories.

How much money will I receive?

Funding rates can be found here but may vary depending on your eligibility.

Do I need to hand in official transcripts or are online copies accepted?

Yes, you need to submit official transcripts; however, they do not have to be original copies. Transcripts can be faxed to 1-800-661-0893 toll-free, or emailed to nwtsfa@gov.nt.ca. Online unofficial transcripts are not accepted by the SFA Office.

Is one Form D (Student Enrolment Form - SEF) enough to cover both Fall and Winter semesters?

No, in order to continue to receive funding from SFA, you and your school must complete and submit a Form D for each semester. Form D helps the SFA Office to confirm that you are enrolled in at least 60% of a 100% full-time post-secondary course load, indicates the program you're taking, and confirms tuition, book and fee costs for the semester. Form D can be found here.

How many trips does SFA cover per academic year?

Once your application is assessed you will be notified of your travel entitlements by letter from the SFA Office. Depending on your eligibility, you may qualify for up to two return trips from your home NWT community to the nearest approved educational institution in the NWT or as far as Edmonton, Alberta. Trips can only be used for a break in between semesters, such as the break between fall and winter semester. Travel during a semester, such as during spring break or reading week, are not eligible for SFA travel benefits.

You are responsible for making your own travel arrangements by contacting a travel agency in the NWT at least two weeks prior to your travel date. View our list of NWT travel agencies for their contact information.