NSCC fees, aid and awards

NSCC’s 2026–27 tuition table lists $3,800 full-time tuition for certificate, diploma and advanced diploma programs for domestic students, and $13,505 for international students. Part-time tuition is shown per unit, where a unit equals four credits or 60 hours. Student health, dental, association, U-Pass, parking, books and program costs can be separate; the individual program and account pages control the amount owed.

For September 2026 starts, NSCC published an August 7 first-term deadline and January 4, 2027 second-term deadline. Domestic tuition is split 50% and 50%; international tuition is split 65% and 35%. The first payment also includes applicable student fees and the tuition deposit, reduced by a deposit already paid. January 2027 starts have a November 20, 2026 first-term deadline.

Tuition refunds require formal withdrawal. Before the first class day, NSCC refunds tuition less the non-refundable application fee and tuition deposit. During the first two weeks of a fall or winter term, the refund is 95% of the term amount less those charges; after the second week, there is no refund. If NSCC cancels a program after the academic year begins, it refunds paid tuition and fees, including the tuition deposit, but keeps the application fee.

NSCC’s Fall 2026 award portal is open to current students and applicants with a confirmed seat. Applicants complete a general application, then may be matched automatically or asked for extra materials. Award offers expire after 10 days, so NSCC tells applicants to check the portal weekly. A separate prospective-student award, the Arnold D. Johnson Sr. Award for Water Resources, is currently listed at $3,600 for one annual award. It supports Indigenous African Nova Scotian students entering named Ivany engineering-technology or Plumbing programs, with preference for Environmental Engineering Technology – Water Resources or Mechanical Engineering Technology. Check the linked awards page for application instructions and current availability.

The Sobey Award is another prospective-student example: 2026–27 funds are fully committed and new applications are waitlisted, while applications for 2027–28 and later remain open. Its published eligibility includes a community-organization referral, future NSCC enrolment and unmet financial need; international students are excluded.