Official Guidelines Updated: March 2026
Key Facts:
The French Post-Secondary Bursary provides $1,000 per semester (up to $2,000 per school year) to NWT residents aged 25 and under who are studying in French at a Canadian post-secondary institution. This is the only standalone bursary offered directly by the GNWT outside the SFA program. A limited number of bursaries are available each semester — first-time applicants are given priority.
The French Post-Secondary Bursary is administered by the Department of Education, Culture and Employment (ECE) to support young NWT residents who choose to pursue their post-secondary education in French. Unlike the main SFA program, this bursary is available at any eligible Canadian institution — not just institutions in the NWT — making it a valuable option for francophone and French-immersion graduates who wish to study in French elsewhere in Canada.
Because the number of bursaries is limited each semester, first-time applicants are given priority. Apply as early as possible before the semester deadline.
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for the French Post-Secondary Bursary, you must:
- Be 25 years of age or under.
- Have attended an NWT school for at least five years.
- Be an NWT high school graduate.
- Be enrolled full-time at a post-secondary institution in Canada.
- Pass a minimum of four courses that semester, of which at least three must be taught in French.
How Much Can You Get?
The bursary is $1,000 per semester, up to a maximum of $2,000 per school year (fall and winter semesters). A school year consists of two semesters — you may receive up to $1,000 for each.
Application Deadlines
| Semester | Application Deadline |
|---|---|
| Fall | August 1 |
| Winter | December 1 |
| Spring/Summer | April 1 |
Important:
Bursaries are awarded on a limited basis each semester and first-time applicants have priority over returning applicants. Submit your application before the deadline to maximize your chances, especially if you have not received this bursary before.
How to Apply
Download and complete the Application for Bursary for Post-Secondary Studies in French, available from the ECE website. Submit your completed application along with supporting documentation before your semester’s deadline.
For more information or to request an application form, contact the ECE Teaching and Learning Division at 867-767-9342 ext. 71293.
Other Financial Aid Options
The French Post-Secondary Bursary can be combined with other sources of funding. NWT residents may also be eligible for the full SFA program, including the Basic Grant, Supplementary Grant or Remissible Loan, and NWT Student Loan, depending on their student category. Note that if you are receiving SFA, you cannot simultaneously receive student financial aid from another provincial, territorial, or federal program — check with both offices to confirm how your funding sources interact.
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