Official Guidelines Updated: March 2026
Key Facts for 2025–2026:
The Needs Assessed Loan (NAL) is a supplementary FANS loan based on demonstrated financial need. It is available to all eligible FANS students — Canadian citizens and Nunavut residents — and can top up other loan and grant support. You must apply before the end of the current semester and submit a new application each time you wish to access the NAL. It must be repaid in full.
The Needs Assessed Loan (NAL) is an additional FANS loan available to eligible students who can demonstrate financial need beyond what their primary FANS benefits cover. It acts as a supplement to other grants and loans, helping students manage costs that are not fully met through the rest of their FANS funding package.
The NAL must be repaid in full — it is not a remissible loan and cannot be forgiven.
Who Is Eligible?
The NAL is available to all eligible FANS students who are Canadian citizens and Nunavut residents and who 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 of at least 12 weeks at a designated institution, studying toward a certificate, diploma, or degree.
- Demonstrate satisfactory progress and attendance.
- Have no outstanding Government of Nunavut debts.
How the NAL Works
The amount you may receive through the NAL is based on your demonstrated financial need — the gap between your assessed educational and living costs and the funding you are already receiving. It is intended as a top-up, not a primary source of support.
Key rules for the NAL:
- You may apply for a NAL at any time during the school year.
- You cannot receive a NAL for past semesters — it applies to the current semester only.
- You must apply before the end of the current semester.
- A new application is required each time you wish to access the NAL — it is not automatically renewed.
- A second installment may be available; use the FANS Second Installment of NAL Application Form if needed.
Important — Full Repayment Required:
The NAL must be repaid in full. It is not remissible. Before applying, exhaust all other funding options — scholarships, bursaries, and other FANS grants or loans — and only borrow what you genuinely need. You will not be eligible for further FANS funding until any outstanding Government of Nunavut debt is repaid.
How to Apply
Complete the FANS Needs Assessed Loan Application Form, available from the FANS office or the Government of Nunavut website. Submit your completed application to fansloans@gov.nu.ca. You must apply before your current semester ends, and you must submit a new application each time you wish to receive a NAL.
For a second installment, use the FANS Second Installment of NAL Application Form. Contact the FANS office at fans@gov.nu.ca or 1-877-860-0680 if you have questions about the process.
Other FANS Benefits
The NAL supplements the rest of your FANS package. Depending on your student category, you may also be eligible for Primary Universal Benefits (tuition, books, travel), Secondary Universal Benefits (monthly living allowance), Nunavut Inuit Benefits, the Primary Loan, and the Secondary Loan.
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