Official Guidelines Updated: March 2026
Key Facts for 2025–2026:
NWT SFA offers two non-repayable grants for students with disabilities: a Grant for Students with Disabilities ($4,000/year for additional tuition, books, travel, and accommodation costs) and a Grant for Services and Equipment (up to $20,000/year for disability-related services and equipment). Both are available to all NWT student categories. Recent program changes have expanded supports to students with persistent or prolonged disabilities, not just permanent ones.
The Northwest Territories Student Financial Assistance (SFA) program offers two separate study grants for NWT residents with disabilities pursuing post-secondary education. Both grants are non-repayable and are available to all three NWT student categories. Recent enhancements to the SFA program have expanded eligibility to include students with persistent or prolonged disabilities, alongside those with permanent disabilities.
The Two Disability Grants
| Grant | Amount | What It Covers |
|---|---|---|
| Grant for Students with Disabilities | $4,000 per academic year ($2,000 per semester) | Additional costs for tuition, books, travel, and accommodation |
| Grant for Services and Equipment for Students with Disabilities | Up to $20,000 per academic year | Tutors, interpreters, note-takers, readers, transportation, attendant care, special equipment, and one-time medical assessments |
Grant for Students with Disabilities
This grant provides $4,000 per academic year, disbursed in two equal instalments of $2,000 per semester. It is intended to help full-time students manage the additional education costs that arise from their disability, including:
- Tuition
- Books
- Travel
- Accommodation
Grant for Services and Equipment for Students with Disabilities
This grant provides up to $20,000 per academic year to cover disability-related services and specialized equipment necessary for your participation in post-secondary education. Eligible expenses include:
- Tutor
- Interpreter — oral, sign language, note-taker
- Reader
- Transportation to and from school (depending on circumstance)
- Attendant care while in school
- Special equipment — such as a braille writer, alternative keyboard, or voice-activated programs
- Alternate formats — including large print or braille materials
- One-time medical assessment — 75% of the cost, up to a maximum of $1,000
For students accessing the disability grants through Course Reimbursement (part-time, course by course), up to $1,000 for services and equipment is available per approved course.
Pro Tip:
You can apply for the disability grants at any time during your academic year — you do not need to wait for the regular SFA application deadline. Submit Form G – Disability Assessment Form along with any other professional assessments or supporting documentation describing your disability as early as possible to avoid delays in receiving support.
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for the NWT Study Grants for Students with Disabilities, you must:
- Be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or protected person.
- Be ordinarily resident in the NWT for at least 12 continuous months.
- Have a permanent, persistent, or prolonged disability that affects your ability to participate in post-secondary studies.
- Be enrolled in an approved post-secondary program at a designated institution. Students with a disability qualify for full-time SFA benefits at a reduced course load of 40% (compared to 60% for other students).
- Have previous SFA loans up-to-date and no outstanding GNWT debts.
- Not be receiving student financial aid from another provincial, territorial, or federal program.
How to Apply
Complete the Application for Full-Time Student Financial Assistance along with Form G – Disability Assessment Form. Other professional assessments or supporting documentation describing your disability may also be submitted. You may apply for the disability grants at any time during your academic year.
Applications can be submitted by email to nwtsfa@gov.nt.ca, by fax, by mail, or in person at the SFA office or a local ECE Regional or Community Service Centre. SFA will provide a written response within 25 business days of receiving your completed application.
Other Financial Aid Options
The NWT disability grants work alongside other SFA benefits. Depending on your student category, you may also be eligible for the Basic Grant, the Supplementary Grant or Remissible Loan, and the NWT Student Loan. Federal programs such as Canada Student Grant for Students with Permanent Disabilities and the Canada Student Grant for Services and Equipment are not available to students receiving NWT SFA.
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