Official Guidelines Updated: March 2026
Key Facts for 2025–2026:
The Supplementary Grant and Remissible Loan are both monthly living allowances provided to eligible NWT residents. Northern Indigenous Residents make a once-in-a-lifetime choice between the two. All other NWT residents access the Remissible Loan only. The monthly amount is based on family size, starting at $1,000/month for a single student with no dependants.
The Supplementary Grant and Remissible Loan are the living allowance components of the Northwest Territories Student Financial Assistance (SFA) program. They provide monthly support to help cover accommodation, food, utilities, and local transportation while you study.
All NWT residents who qualify for SFA are eligible for the Remissible Loan. Northern Indigenous Residents have the additional option of receiving a Supplementary Grant instead — but this is a once-in-a-lifetime election. Once you have chosen one form, you cannot switch to the other in future years of study.
Supplementary Grant vs. Remissible Loan
| Supplementary Grant | Remissible Loan | |
|---|---|---|
| Who can access it | Northern Indigenous Residents only | All NWT resident student categories |
| Repayable? | No — non-repayable grant | Loan — may be forgiven upon returning to NWT |
| Taxable? | Yes — taxable benefit | No — not a taxable benefit |
| Forgiveness available? | N/A (non-repayable) | Yes — if you return to the NWT after ceasing full-time studies |
Important — Once-in-a-Lifetime Choice:
If you are a Northern Indigenous Resident, your decision to receive either the Supplementary Grant or the Remissible Loan is permanent. Think carefully before making this choice — the Supplementary Grant is non-repayable but taxable, while the Remissible Loan can be forgiven tax-free if you return to the NWT. Contact the SFA office to discuss which option best suits your situation before you apply.
Monthly Amounts
The same monthly amounts apply to both the Supplementary Grant and the Remissible Loan. Your amount is based on your family size:
| Family Situation | Monthly Amount |
|---|---|
| Single, no dependants | $1,000 / month |
| With spouse, no dependants | $1,400 / month |
| 1 dependant | $1,700 / month |
| 2 dependants | $1,950 / month |
| 3 dependants | $2,200 / month |
| Each additional dependant beyond 3 | +$200 / month |
What the Living Allowance Covers
Both the Supplementary Grant and Remissible Loan are intended to help with monthly living expenses while you are in school, including:
- Rent and/or mortgage
- Food
- Utilities
- Local transportation
If the living allowance does not fully cover your education-related costs, you may also be eligible for the NWT Student Loan (Repayable Loan), which is a needs-assessed loan covering a broader range of expenses.
Remissible Loan Forgiveness
Your Remissible Loan may be forgiven if you return to the NWT and reside there after ceasing full-time studies. The amount forgiven per year depends on the community where you live:
| Zone | Communities | Annual Loan Forgiveness |
|---|---|---|
| Zone 1 | Yellowknife (including Ndı̨lǫ̀ and Dettah) | $6,000 / year |
| Zone 2 | Fort Simpson, Fort Smith, Hay River, Kátł’odeeche First Nation, Inuvik, Norman Wells | $8,000 / year |
| Zone 3 | All other NWT communities including Aklavik, Behchokǫ̀, Délı̨nę̨, Fort Good Hope, Fort McPherson, Fort Providence, Tuktoyaktuk, Tulita, and others | $12,000 / year |
Applications for loan repayment incentives (including remission) are accepted twice per year: between March 1 and April 15 (deadline April 15), and between September 1 and October 15 (deadline October 15). Late applications are not accepted.
General Eligibility Requirements
To access the Supplementary Grant or Remissible Loan as part of SFA, you must:
- Be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or protected person.
- Be ordinarily resident in the NWT for at least 12 continuous months before applying.
- Be enrolled full-time in an approved post-secondary program at a designated institution (at least 60% course load, or 40% for students with a disability).
- 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. The Supplementary Grant or Remissible Loan is assessed as part of your SFA application — there is no separate form. Submit your application by your applicable deadline (see the Basic Grant page for deadlines) 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.
Other Financial Aid Options
The living allowance works alongside the Basic Grant (for eligible categories), the NWT Student Loan for additional needs-assessed support, and the NWT Grants for Students with Disabilities where applicable.
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