NSCC Post-Care Bursary

This award is now open for the 2025-26 academic year

Please note: our funding enables us to support up to 10 students per academic year. Once funds have been committed, this bursary application will close. Therefore, eligible students should submit an application as soon as possible if they wish to be considered.

In order to be eligible for this award, applicants must

• Have lived in care for a minimum of one year (cumulative or accumulated) in the Nova Scotia child welfare system – including Mi’kmaw Family and Children’s Services of Nova Scotia and the Nova Scotia Home for Colored Children – or have received Youth Services between the ages of 16 – 18 via signed agreement, as defined by Section 19 of the Children and Family Services Act.
• Consent to a Release of Information to support the verification process with Nova Scotia Department of Community Services.
• Be entering or planning to enrol in their first post-secondary credential in the 2025-26 academic year (e.g. certificate, diploma, or degree); the program must be one with tuition and associated fees.
• Be willing to meet with Student Awards staff to explore other sources of funding and complete an orientation to NSCC.
• Not currently be in receipt of (nor eligible to receive) the NS Department of Community Services Educational Bursary Program for Children in Care or the Post-Care and Custody Agreement.

About the award
This bursary program, generously supported by the Walker Wood Foundation and individual donors, has been established to support those who have lived in care in the Nova Scotia child welfare system — including Mi’kmaw Family and Children’s Services of Nova Scotia and the Nova Scotia Home for Colored Children – or have received Youth Services between the ages of 16 – 18 via signed agreement, as defined by Section 19 of the Children and Family Services Act.

This bursary will be applied towards tuition costs and ancillary fees for full or part-time learning, with an aim to help make post-secondary education more accessible for former youth in care. 

Application assessment will consider

• Financial need
• Educational goals and career aspirations

To apply for this award
We accept applications from prospective students (those who have not yet applied for admission to the College) as well as from confirmed applicants/currently enrolled students. Please refer to the appropriate pathway for details on how to apply.

Process for confirmed applicants/currently enrolled students
Step 1
We require verification of past child welfare involvement to ensure eligibility for the bursary. Applicants must first seek verification by contacting the Disclosure Program:

Disclosure Program
Department of Community Services
Phone: 902-424-2755
Toll-free (within Canada): 1-833-424-2755
disclosureprogram@novascotia.ca   
2131 Gottingen Street, 3rd Floor
Halifax, Nova Scotia B3K 5Z7

Step 2
Upload the verification letter and complete the other application components in the student awards portal.

Process for prospective students
Step 1
We require verification of past child welfare involvement to ensure eligibility for the bursary. Applicants must first seek verification by contacting the Disclosure Program:

Disclosure Program
Department of Community Services
Phone: 902-424-2755
Toll-free (within Canada): 1-833-424-2755
disclosureprogram@novascotia.ca   
2131 Gottingen Street, 3rd Floor
Halifax, Nova Scotia B3K 5Z7

Step 2
Complete the Post-Care Free Tuition Program application (PDF 354KB) and submit it along with the verification letter from the Disclosure Program to NSCC’s Student Awards Office by emailing awards@nscc.ca or faxing 902-491-2259.

All applications must be received by the posted deadline. Late submissions will not be considered.

This award is renewable for students in multi-year programs (based on successful completion of first year in program and remaining in good academic standing).