Official Guidelines Updated: March 2026
Key Facts for 2025–2026:
Secondary Universal Benefits are the monthly living allowance component of FANS, available to all eligible students. A single student studying in the south receives approximately $2,900/month — a significant increase from previous rates. Benefits include a Housing Allowance (paid in full at semester start) plus a Living Expense component (50% at start, 50% at midpoint). For Nunavut Inuit students, these are grants. For non-Inuit students, they are remissible loans.
Secondary Universal Benefits are the monthly living allowance component of Financial Assistance for Nunavut Students (FANS). They help all eligible students — regardless of student category — meet the ongoing costs of housing and living while studying away from home. As part of the 2025-26 restructuring, living allowances were significantly increased and a dedicated Housing Allowance was introduced as a separate component.
As with Primary Universal Benefits, these are provided as non-repayable grants for Nunavut Inuit students and as remissible loans for non-Inuit students.
Benefit Amounts
Amounts vary based on where you are studying (north or south) and your family situation. The following applies to full-time students studying in the south (provinces). “North” refers to Nunavut, Northwest Territories, and Yukon.
| Student Situation | Base Living Expense | Housing Allowance | Approx. Monthly Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single student, studying south | $770/month | $2,185/month | ~$2,955/month |
Amounts for students with a spouse, dependants, or those studying in the north differ — contact the FANS office for a full breakdown applicable to your situation. If both spouses are FANS students, they can choose to either split the housing and dependant allowances in half, or have one spouse receive the full housing and dependant amounts.
Payment Schedule
Starting October 2025, Secondary Universal Benefits are paid as follows each semester:
- Housing Allowance — full amount paid at the start of the semester
- Living Expense — 50% paid at the start of the semester; 50% paid at the midpoint
If you have not yet started receiving your program, payments are issued at the start of each new semester after your Student Enrollment Form (SEF) or Enrollment Verification (EV) has been received. Submit your SEF/EV at least one month before the start of each new semester to avoid payment delays.
Important:
FANS benefits are taxable — you will receive a T4A each spring for the full amount of tuition, books, living allowances, travel costs, and other fees paid on your behalf. Income tax is not deducted from your monthly payments, so you should plan for this at tax time.
General Eligibility Requirements
To receive Secondary Universal Benefits, you must 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% or more course load) in an eligible program of at least 12 weeks at a designated institution, studying towards a certificate, diploma, or degree.
- Demonstrate satisfactory progress and attendance.
- Have no outstanding debt owing to the Government of Nunavut.
- Not be receiving student financial aid from another provincial, territorial, or federal program.
How to Apply
Secondary Universal Benefits are assessed through your main FANS application — no separate application is required. Apply by the applicable deadline (March 1, July 15, or November 15) and submit a new Student Enrollment Form to fans@gov.nu.ca one month before each new semester. Loan students should send SEFs to fansloans@gov.nu.ca.
Other FANS Benefits
Secondary Universal Benefits complement the Primary Universal Benefits (tuition, books, travel). Nunavut Inuit students may also access Nunavut Inuit Benefits for additional support. If your living costs exceed what these benefits cover, you may also apply for the Needs Assessed Loan.
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