Official Guidelines Updated: March 2026
Key Facts for 2025–2026:
The FANS Primary Loan is a remissible (forgivable) loan available to non-Inuit students with Nunavut schooling or Nunavut residency. It covers monthly living costs (rent, food, clothing) and is issued annually. If you return to live and work in Nunavut after completing your studies, your Primary Loan may be forgiven — at a rate of $750 per year of Nunavut residency.
The FANS Primary Loan is a remissible loan that provides monthly living support to non-Inuit students while they study. It is designed to help with ongoing living costs — rent, food, and clothing — and is issued annually for eligible students. Unlike the Secondary Loan, the Primary Loan may be forgiven (remitted) if you return to live and work in Nunavut after completing your studies.
Who Is Eligible?
The Primary Loan is available to two non-Inuit student categories:
- Non-Inuit students with Nunavut schooling — eligible for one year of Primary Loan access for each three years of schooling successfully completed in Nunavut (or outside Nunavut while your parents were Nunavut residents and you were financially dependent on them).
- Non-Inuit students with Nunavut residency (but without Nunavut schooling) — eligible for one year of Primary Loan access for each three years you have been a resident of Nunavut.
In both cases, you must also meet the general FANS eligibility requirements: be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, have been a Nunavut resident for at least 12 consecutive months before applying, be enrolled full-time (60%+ course load) in an eligible program at a designated institution, be studying toward a certificate, diploma, or degree, demonstrate satisfactory progress and attendance, and have no outstanding Government of Nunavut debts.
Important — Simplified Residency for 2025-26:
As of 2025-26, the residency requirement to access a remissible loan has been simplified to 12 months of Nunavut residency. The previous requirement involved a complex calculation based on years of residency and years of Nunavut secondary schooling. If you were previously approved under the old structure, your existing approvals remain in place.
Loan Remission
The Primary Loan is a remissible loan — it may be forgiven if you return to live and work in Nunavut after ceasing full-time studies. Remission is calculated at $750 per year of residency in Nunavut following the completion of your studies.
To apply for loan remission, submit a Statutory Declaration Loan Remission Form to the FANS office. Contact FANS at fans@gov.nu.ca or 1-877-860-0680 for current remission procedures and eligibility requirements.
What the Primary Loan Covers
The Primary Loan is a living allowance intended to assist with:
- Rent and accommodation
- Food
- Clothing and other basic living costs
It is issued annually to eligible students as part of their overall FANS benefit package.
How to Apply
The Primary Loan is assessed through your main FANS application. Apply before the applicable deadline (March 1, July 15, or November 15) and submit your Student Enrollment Form to fansloans@gov.nu.ca at least one month before each new semester. You must reapply each academic year and can only receive FANS funding for one academic year at a time.
FANS benefits are taxable — you will receive a T4A each spring for the total amount paid on your behalf. Income tax is not deducted from monthly payments, so plan accordingly at tax time.
Other FANS Benefits
Non-Inuit students with Nunavut schooling are also eligible for Primary Universal Benefits (tuition, books, travel as remissible loans) and Secondary Universal Benefits (monthly living allowance). If you need additional support, you may also apply for the Needs Assessed Loan. New residents without Nunavut schooling may access the Secondary Loan instead.
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