Official Guidelines Updated: March 2026
Key Facts for 2025–2026:
The NWT Course Reimbursement program reimburses eligible NWT residents for individual post-secondary courses. The reimbursement is up to $880 per approved course, with a lifetime limit of $8,800. It is available to both full-time and part-time students. Apply within one year of your course start date, with official transcripts and receipts.
The NWT Course Reimbursement program is the part-time component of the Northwest Territories Student Financial Assistance (SFA) program. Rather than providing funding upfront for a full program, it reimburses you for individual post-secondary courses you have completed at a designated institution. It is designed for NWT residents who are upgrading their skills or advancing their education one course at a time, including working adults who cannot commit to full-time studies.
Course Reimbursement can be accessed by both full-time and part-time students, but a student cannot be receiving full-time SFA benefits during the same semester the course begins.
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for Course Reimbursement, you must:
- Be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or protected person.
- Be ordinarily resident in the NWT for at least 12 continuous months.
- Have attended a designated post-secondary institution.
- Be enrolled in an approved post-secondary course — note that SFA benefits are not available for upgrading, bridging, continuing education, or professional development courses.
- Not be receiving full-time SFA benefits during the semester the course begins.
- 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.
- Submit all required documents within one year of your course start date.
How Much Can You Get?
Each approved post-secondary course is reimbursed at up to $880 per course. The lifetime limit for Course Reimbursement is $8,800. The reimbursement covers eligible course-related expenses such as tuition, mandatory fees, and books — you must provide receipts.
If you have a disability, you may also be eligible for up to $1,000 per approved course for disability-related services and equipment through the Study Grants for Students with Disabilities.
How to Apply
Applications for Course Reimbursement must be submitted within one year of your course start date. You can apply after you have completed the course. The following documents are required:
- Completed Application for Course Reimbursement form
- All applicable receipts (tuition, fees, books)
- Official transcript verifying successful completion of the course — online unofficial transcripts are not accepted
- Form E – Payments and Financial Transaction Authorization ‘Individual’ (for direct deposit to your bank account)
Submit your application 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. Your application will be assessed within 25 business days of receipt; payment will be processed within 10 business days after all documents are received.
Important:
Course Reimbursement is only available for courses you have successfully completed — you must submit an official transcript confirming completion. SFA does not provide advance funding for individual courses; you pay first and are reimbursed after completing the course and submitting all required documents.
Other Financial Aid Options
If you are ready to pursue full-time post-secondary studies, you may be eligible for a broader range of SFA benefits including the Basic Grant, the Supplementary Grant or Remissible Loan for monthly living expenses, and the NWT Student Loan. Students with disabilities may also access the NWT Grants for Students with Disabilities through the Course Reimbursement stream.
Ready to find a program? Explore eligible schools today.
