The Government of Canada and the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador work together to provide student financial assistance to residents of Newfoundland and Labrador. Both loans and grants are available to help you access and pay for post-secondary education. With one application, StudentAidNL will assess you for both federal and provincial financial assistance.
Contact information
- Call 729-5849/1-888-657-0800
- Email studentaidenquiry@gov.nl.ca
The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador provides students with one of the most generous student financial assistance programs in the country with grants and loans to support students entering post-secondary studies in the province.
Provincial loan and grants- Effective August 1, 2025
Provincial student financial assistance includes weekly maximums for full-time students of $240 per week ($120 per week in loans and $120 per week in grants).
StudentAidNL may convert up to the full amount of provincial student loans into non-repayable grants for eligible students graduating from eligible programs through the Newfoundland and Labrador Debt Reduction Grant Program.
Newfoundland and Labrador Debt Reduction Grant Program
Graduating students are eligible for a Debt Reduction Grant if:
- Within ten years after the program start date, they graduate from a post-secondary program within the province with a bachelor degree.
- Graduate from a program of study within Newfoundland and Labrador that is not fewer than 80 weeks in duration. As of August 1, 2025, StudentAidNL is expanding eligibility for NL Debt Reduction to include programs of study which are at least 60 weeks in length. This change only applies to new entrants in eligible programs as of August 1, 2025, and will not be applied retroactively. Individuals currently enrolled in programs of study that are at least 80 weeks in length, will remain eligible.
- Borrow more than $165 per week for each period of study.
- In accordance with the standards of the educational institution attended, pass 80% of a full course load in each period of study.
- Apply for and be considered eligible to receive financial assistance for at least 50% of the required length of their program of study. This does not include the time spent in a work term during which the student did not receive financial assistance.
- In certain situations, students may qualify for a Debt Reduction Grant if they are taking less than 80 per cent of a full course load. For example, students approved by StudentAidNL for assistance for full-time studies while taking less than 80 per cent of a full course load and students with permanent disabilities.
Responsibility for finalizing eligibility for the Newfoundland and Labrador Debt Reduction Grant Program rests with graduating students. There is no separate or designated application form. StudentAidNL does not know when or if students graduate; therefore, it is the explicit and direct responsibility of students to notify StudentAidNL when graduation occurs.
For more information on this grant, please visit StudentAidNL.
Tuition Relief Grant Program – Effective August 1, 2025
To address the tuition increases at Memorial University and support low and middle-income students and families, the province provides this needs-based grant up to a maximum of $4,200 per academic year ($420 per course). This is in addition to the existing student aid program.
The funding is available to residents who:
- Have graduated from a high school in Newfoundland and Labrador;
- Have enrolled in full-time studies at Memorial University in a bachelor level-degree program; and
- Who qualify for need under the provincial student aid program.
The grant is available for students who enroll at Memorial University as of September 2022. Students who enrolled prior to September 2022 will qualify for the four-year grace period on existing tuition announced by the university.
For more information on these grants, please visit StudentAidNL.