Official Guidelines Updated: March 2026
Important Update for 2025–2026:
The Financial Assistance for Nunavut Students (FANS) program has been significantly restructured for 2025–2026. Phase 1 changes include a simplified 12-month residency requirement, a new Primary and Secondary Universal Benefits structure, and enhanced supports for Nunavut Inuit students. A full program overhaul (Phase 2) is underway. Like the NWT, Nunavut operates outside the federal Canada Student Loans and Grants system — students apply directly through FANS, not through a provincial portal.
Nunavut’s Financial Assistance for Nunavut Students (FANS) program is designed to ensure that financial need is not a barrier to post-secondary education for territory residents. It provides grants, loans, disability supports, scholarships, and distance course reimbursements — all through a single application directly to the Government of Nunavut.
FANS is one of the most comprehensive territorial student aid programs in Canada, with non-repayable grants for eligible students covering tuition, books, living costs, and travel. For Inuit beneficiaries, additional supports are available on top of the universal benefits.
Let’s get into the details of Nunavut’s student financial assistance programs.
What Kind of Funding Is Available?
- Primary Universal Benefits — non-repayable grants for tuition, books, and holiday travel for all eligible Nunavut residents
- Secondary Universal Benefits — housing allowance and living expense support
- Nunavut Inuit Benefits — additional non-repayable supports for Inuit beneficiaries
- Loans — primary (remissible) and secondary (repayable) loans, plus needs-assessed loans
- Disability supports — grants for students with permanent disabilities
- Scholarships — merit-based awards at Grade 12 and undergraduate levels
- Distance course reimbursement — for residents studying online or by correspondence
Important:
FANS operates independently from the federal Canada Student Loans and Grants program. You cannot receive both FANS and federal student aid for the same period of study. Nunavut, like the NWT and Quebec, receives an alternative federal payment and administers its own student aid system.
Who Can Apply?
To receive FANS funding, you must:
- Be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident
- Have been a resident of Nunavut for at least 12 months before applying
- Be enrolled in a program of at least 12 weeks duration at Nunavut Arctic College or another designated post-secondary institution
- Be a full-time student carrying at least 60% of a full course load
- Be studying towards a certificate, diploma, or degree
- Demonstrate satisfactory progress and attendance
The type and amount of support you receive depends on whether you are a Nunavut Beneficiary (under the Nunavut Land Claim Agreement), a Nunavut Resident with Nunavut Schooling, or a Nunavut Resident without Nunavut Schooling. Beneficiaries are eligible for the most comprehensive package of grants and loans.
FANS Programs
Primary Universal Benefits
Available to all eligible FANS students regardless of student category. Covers tuition and fees, books, and one return holiday travel trip per year for the student and eligible dependants. Non-repayable.
Secondary Universal Benefits
Provides a housing allowance and living expense support to help cover the day-to-day costs of studying away from home. Part-time students receive half the full-time living expense rate. Based on family size and circumstances.
Nunavut Inuit Benefits
Additional non-repayable supports for students who are Beneficiaries under the Nunavut Land Claim Agreement. Includes a Supplementary Grant for extra tuition, travel, and settling-in costs that scales with the number of dependants. Also includes a $500 per semester Wellness Benefit to help with Nunavut’s high cost of living.
Primary Loan
Helps cover rent, food, and clothing costs while studying. Available to Nunavut residents based on years of residency. This loan can be forgiven — if you return to live and work in Nunavut after your studies, you do not have to repay it.
Secondary Loan
Available to newer Nunavut residents who have not lived in the territory long enough to qualify for a Primary Loan. Covers living costs including rent, food, and daily expenses. Must be repaid in full — unlike the Primary Loan, it cannot be forgiven.
Needs Assessed Loan (NAL)
An additional loan available on top of other FANS funding for students with demonstrated financial need beyond what standard programs cover. Must be applied for each semester — you cannot request retroactive NAL for a past semester.
Grant for Students with Permanent Disabilities
Helps cover extraordinary costs associated with a permanent disability during post-secondary studies — such as specialized equipment, interpreters, or study aids. Requires a medical or learning ability assessment by a certified professional. Can be applied for at any time during the academic year.
Distance Course Reimbursement
Reimburses Nunavut residents who have successfully completed post-secondary courses through distance learning or correspondence. You must have been a Nunavut resident for at least three years before enrolling, and must submit original receipts and an official transcript showing a passing grade.
FANS Scholarships
FANS also offers merit-based scholarships to recognize academic achievement at key transitions in a student’s education.
Grade 12 Scholarship
Awarded to Nunavut students who graduate from Grade 12 with an average of 80% or higher. A one-time award recognizing strong academic achievement at the secondary level.
Undergraduate Scholarship
Awarded annually to Nunavut students who achieve a grade A average in their first year of an undergraduate program. Renewable each year as long as the grade threshold is maintained.
Pro Tip:
Apply for FANS as soon as you decide to pursue post-secondary education — you do not need to be formally accepted into a program before submitting your application. Applications are processed on a first-come, first-served basis. Contact the FANS office toll-free at 1-877-860-0680 or email fans@gov.nu.ca for help with your application.
Other Funding for Inuit Students
Inuit students may also be eligible for additional supports through the Inuit Post-Secondary Education Strategy, a federal program administered through regional Inuit land-claim organizations. This funding is separate from FANS and can help cover tuition, travel, childcare, and more. Contact your regional Inuit organization for details.
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