Scholarships and grants for Nova Scotia students
If you live or plan to study in Nova Scotia, we list 23 awards you can look at now: 1 from the provincial government, 16 at Nova Scotia universities and 6 other awards for Nova Scotia residents. 7 of them are automatic, with no extra form. The next published date is February 15, 2027 (Dalhousie First Nations and Indigenous Black Student Scholarships, entrance award deadline). Each links to its provider, checked between August 14, 2026 and October 2, 2026.
Reviewed October 1, 2026 · Checked against the primary sources below · How we review guides
Nova Scotia government aid
Grants, bursaries and scholarships from the Nova Scotia government. Most need a Nova Scotia resident.
| Award | Amount | Next date |
|---|---|---|
Nova Scotia Student GrantNova Scotia Student AssistanceNova Scotia Student AssistanceWho can apply and stepsIf you study at a Nova Scotia school, 40% of your Nova Scotia student loan comes as a grant you don't repay.
Timing, as the provider states it: Assessed with your Nova Scotia student assistance application | Amount: 40% of your Nova Scotia student loan | Next date: No single deadline. See timing.How you apply: Automatic consideration |
Awards at Nova Scotia universities
Entrance and group awards at universities in the province. The tag shows the school.
| Award | Amount | Next date |
|---|---|---|
Dalhousie First Nations and Indigenous Black Student ScholarshipsDalhousie UniversityDalhousie University. For: Black students or First Nations, Inuit & MétisWho can apply and stepsFor Indigenous Black and First Nations students from Atlantic Canada with good academic standing and financial need. The admission average isn't considered.
Timing, as the provider states it: Entrance award deadline February 15, 2027 | Amount: $32,000 ($8,000 a year for four years) | Next date: How you apply: Through your school |
Dalhousie General Entrance AwardsDalhousie UniversityDalhousie UniversityWho can apply and stepsDalhousie assesses each applicant individually for entrance awards, usually from an 80% average or 26 IB points. The 2027–28 program opens October 1, 2026.
Timing, as the provider states it: 2027–28 entrance award program: October 1, 2026 to February 15, 2027 | Amount: Varies; named awards up to $80,000 | Next date: How you apply: Through your school |
Dalhousie Johnson Foundation BursariesDalhousie UniversityDalhousie University. For: Students with disabilitiesWho can apply and stepsRenewable entrance bursaries for students with a permanent disability and financial need.
Timing, as the provider states it: Entrance award application opens October 1, 2026 and closes February 15, 2027 | Amount: $5,000 to $20,000 ($1,500 to $5,000 a year for four years) | Next date: How you apply: Through your school |
Dalhousie Sankofa ScholarshipsDalhousie UniversityDalhousie University. For: Black studentsWho can apply and stepsTwo domestic awards: one for a Black student of Caribbean heritage and one for a Black or African Nova Scotian student entering an undergraduate degree.
Timing, as the provider states it: Entrance award application opens October 1, 2026 and closes February 15, 2027 | Amount: $32,000 ($8,000 a year for four years) | Next date: How you apply: Through your school |
Dalhousie Student Union Accessibility BursaryDalhousie UniversityDalhousie University. For: Students with disabilitiesWho can apply and stepsA renewable entrance bursary for students with a permanent disability and financial need.
Timing, as the provider states it: Entrance award application opens October 1, 2026 and closes February 15, 2027 | Amount: $4,000 ($1,000 a year for four years) | Next date: How you apply: Through your school |
Forsyth Family NS ScholarshipDalhousie UniversityDalhousie University. For: Black studentsWho can apply and stepsFor Black African Nova Scotian students entering Dalhousie who show financial need and extracurricular involvement.
Timing, as the provider states it: Entrance award application opens October 1, 2026 and closes February 15, 2027 | Amount: Up to $80,000 (up to $20,000 a year for four years) | Next date: How you apply: Through your school |
Saint Mary's Sobey National Innovator ScholarshipsSaint Mary's UniversitySaint Mary's UniversityWho can apply and stepsTen renewable entrance awards for accepted applicants from across Canada with 90%+ or an IB Diploma score of 36+.
Timing, as the provider states it: Entrance Awards and Admissions Scholarships deadline February 15, 2027 | Amount: $50,000 over four years ($20,000 in year one) | Next date: How you apply: Apply directly |
Cape Breton University Major Entrance ScholarshipsCape Breton UniversityCape Breton UniversityWho can apply and stepsA limited number of renewable awards, such as the Chancellor's, President's and Deans' scholarships, for students entering straight from high school, based on marks.
Timing, as the provider states it: Accepted students apply for entrance scholarships until March 1 | Amount: $10,000 to $30,000 over four years (Chancellor's $7,500 a year) | Next date: How you apply: Through your school |
Leacross Women in Technology Entrance ScholarshipDalhousie UniversityDalhousie UniversityWho can apply and stepsFor Canadian and international students entering Dalhousie's Bachelor of Computer Science. Applicants who identify as women are preferred.
Timing, as the provider states it: Computer Science scholarship application due March 1 | Amount: $10,000 over two years | Next date: How you apply: Through your school |
WeAreAllCS African Nova Scotian and African Descent Student Entrance ScholarshipDalhousie UniversityDalhousie University. For: Black studentsWho can apply and stepsFor students of African descent entering Dalhousie Computer Science with at least 70%. African Nova Scotian and Black Canadian applicants are preferred; international students can apply.
Timing, as the provider states it: Computer Science scholarship application due March 1 | Amount: Up to $10,000 over two years ($5,000 a year) | Next date: How you apply: Through your school |
WeAreAllCS Indigenous Student Entrance ScholarshipDalhousie UniversityDalhousie University. For: First Nations, Inuit & MétisWho can apply and stepsFor First Nations (status or non-status), Métis and Inuit students entering Dalhousie Computer Science. Mi'kmaq applicants are preferred.
Timing, as the provider states it: Computer Science scholarship application due March 1 | Amount: Up to $10,000 over two years ($5,000 a year) | Next date: How you apply: Through your school |
Acadia Entrance ScholarshipsAcadia UniversityAcadia UniversityWho can apply and stepsCanadian and international applicants are considered automatically with at least 80% in the courses required for admission, within five years of finishing high school.
Timing, as the provider states it: Apply and submit scholarship forms in the Status Portal by March 1 | Amount: $2,000 to $10,000 over four years; other awards up to $80,000 | Next date: No single deadline. See timing.How you apply: Automatic consideration |
King's College Dr. Carrie Best ScholarshipUniversity of King's CollegeUniversity of King's College. For: Black students or First Nations, Inuit & MétisWho can apply and stepsA King's major entrance award for Black Canadian and Indigenous students. Most major awards need the scholarship section of the admission application and a 500-word essay.
Timing, as the provider states it: Scholarship application and essay due March 1, 11:59 p.m. AST | Amount: $20,000 | Next date: No single deadline. See timing.How you apply: Apply directly |
King's College General Entrance ScholarshipsUniversity of King's CollegeUniversity of King's CollegeWho can apply and stepsGuaranteed Year 1 amounts for secondary students applying for September entry in the BA, BSc, BJ(Hons) or BMus at 80%+.
Timing, as the provider states it: Official mid-year grades by March 1, 11:59 p.m. AST | Amount: $1,000 at 80% up to $5,000 at 98%+ | Next date: No single deadline. See timing.How you apply: Automatic consideration |
StFX National Entrance ScholarshipsSt. Francis Xavier UniversitySt. Francis Xavier UniversityWho can apply and stepsAutomatic ladder based on the five Grade 12 admission courses.
Timing, as the provider states it: Automatic with admission | Amount: $5,000 at 85%; $7,000 at 90%; $12,000 at 96%+ (paid over four years) | Next date: No single deadline. See timing.How you apply: Automatic consideration |
Université Sainte-Anne Excellence ScholarshipUniversité Sainte-AnneUniversité Sainte-AnneWho can apply and stepsAutomatic ladder for eligible students coming directly from a Canadian high school.
Timing, as the provider states it: Automatic with admission | Amount: $2,000 at 80% up to $5,000 at 95% | Next date: No single deadline. See timing.How you apply: Automatic consideration |
Other awards for Nova Scotia residents
Foundation awards and universities elsewhere that ask for Nova Scotia residents.
| Award | Amount | Next date |
|---|---|---|
Currie Undergraduate ScholarshipUniversity of New BrunswickUniversity of New BrunswickWho can apply and stepsFour awards for Atlantic Canadian students who show leadership and have overcome a significant obstacle.
Timing, as the provider states it: UNB entrance scholarship application due March 1 | Amount: $75,000 (4 awards) | Next date: How you apply: Through your school |
Nova Scotia Power Black Nova Scotian BursaryNova Scotia PowerNova Scotia Power. For: Black studentsWho can apply and stepsFour bursaries for Black Nova Scotian students in any year of full-time study in engineering, technology, trades, business, communications, environmental science or law.
Timing, as the provider states it: The 2026 program is closed. Nova Scotia Power runs it each year; the next dates aren't posted yet | Amount: $2,500 (4 awards) | Next date: Next deadline not posted yetHow you apply: Apply directly |
Nova Scotia Power Mi'kmaw BursaryNova Scotia PowerNova Scotia Power. For: First Nations, Inuit & MétisWho can apply and stepsFour bursaries for Mi'kmaw students entering any year of a full-time accredited post-secondary program.
Timing, as the provider states it: The 2026 program is closed. Nova Scotia Power runs it each year; the next dates aren't posted yet | Amount: $2,500 (4 awards) | Next date: Next deadline not posted yetHow you apply: Apply directly |
Nova Scotia Power Women in Trades, Engineering and Technology ScholarshipNova Scotia PowerNova Scotia Power. For: WomenWho can apply and stepsSix scholarships for women in any year of full-time study in a trade, engineering, technology or innovation program at a Canadian school.
Timing, as the provider states it: The 2026 program is closed. Nova Scotia Power runs it each year; the next dates aren't posted yet | Amount: $2,500 (6 awards) | Next date: Next deadline not posted yetHow you apply: Apply directly |
U of A National Achievement ScholarshipUniversity of AlbertaUniversity of AlbertaWho can apply and stepsFor top incoming Canadian students from outside Alberta, based on admission average. No application.
Timing, as the provider states it: Assessed at the time of the admission offer | Amount: $30,000 over four years | Next date: No single deadline. See timing.How you apply: Automatic consideration |
Université Laval Exemption Scholarship for Canadians outside QuebecUniversité LavalUniversité LavalWho can apply and stepsCanadian citizens and permanent residents who aren't Quebec residents pay the Quebec tuition rate when they study in French in an eligible Laval program. Most certificates, bachelor's and master's programs qualify.
Timing, as the provider states it: Applied to eligible programs; check the 2026–2027 excluded-program list | Amount: Supplemental out-of-province fees removed (you pay the Quebec rate) | Next date: No single deadline. See timing.How you apply: Automatic consideration |
Being listed doesn't mean you qualify. Each provider sets its own rules, so check the official page before you apply.
Key facts
- Open or coming up
- 23 awards
- Next published date
- February 15, 2027: Dalhousie First Nations and Indigenous Black Student Scholarships
- No single deadline
- 8 awards
- Checked at the source
- Between August 14, 2026 and October 2, 2026
Apply for student aid even if you're unsure
Some of the Nova Scotia government grants in the first table are automatic once you apply for student aid. The “How you apply” line under each one says which. If you skip the student aid form, you can miss them.
Grants and bursaries don't need to be paid back. Student loans do, so read the official page for what you're offered.
Entrance awards at Nova Scotia universities
Many university entrance awards are automatic when you apply for admission. Larger ones usually need a separate form, and some need your school to nominate you. Check the “How you apply” line and put each date in your calendar.
Group awards in the second table are reserved for one group; the tag says which. Our group guides list more.
Studying outside Nova Scotia
The third table shows awards that name Nova Scotia as your home, like universities in other provinces recruiting Nova Scotia students. National awards open to everyone are in our guide to major national awards.
The Scholarship Finder ranks every award in our list for you. The “Find awards that fit you” button below opens it with Nova Scotia picked as your home province.
How this list works
Every award here comes from the same checked list as our Scholarship Finder. Each record links to the provider's own page and shows the day we last checked it. We never copy award details from aggregator sites.
Awards that are closed for this cycle are left out of the tables. They come back when the provider posts new dates. Dates refresh on their own, so a passed date drops off the page.
A listing isn't a promise that you qualify. Each provider sets its own rules and picks its own winners. Read the official page before you apply.
Official sources
Confirm current dates, rules, fees, and program details in these primary sources.
Written by Stellar Advisers Editorial Team · Reviewed by Official-source review desk · Last reviewed October 1, 2026
- Nova Scotia Student GrantGovernment of Nova Scotia. Checked October 2, 2026.
- Dalhousie First Nations and Indigenous Black Student ScholarshipsDalhousie University. Checked October 1, 2026.
- Saint Mary's Sobey National Innovator ScholarshipsSaint Mary's University. Checked August 15, 2026.
- Cape Breton University Major Entrance ScholarshipsCape Breton University. Checked October 2, 2026.
- WeAreAllCS African Nova Scotian and African Descent Student Entrance ScholarshipDalhousie University. Checked October 2, 2026.
- Acadia Entrance ScholarshipsAcadia University. Checked August 15, 2026.
- King's College Dr. Carrie Best ScholarshipUniversity of King's College. Checked August 15, 2026.
- StFX National Entrance ScholarshipsSt. Francis Xavier University. Checked August 16, 2026.
- Université Sainte-Anne Excellence ScholarshipUniversité Sainte-Anne. Checked August 16, 2026.
- Currie Undergraduate ScholarshipUniversity of New Brunswick. Checked October 2, 2026.
- Nova Scotia Power Black Nova Scotian BursaryNova Scotia Power. Checked October 2, 2026.
- U of A National Achievement ScholarshipUniversity of Alberta. Checked August 16, 2026.
- Université Laval Exemption Scholarship for Canadians outside QuebecUniversité Laval. Checked August 14, 2026.
Frequently asked questions
Quick answers to the questions applicants ask most often.
See which awards fit you
Answer four short questions. The finder ranks every award in our list by how well you fit.