Important: Tuition waivers can only be applied to tuition charges on your Dalhousie student account. If tuition is being paid to another institution, the waiver cannot be used.
Dalhousie employees and families
Post-care tuition waiver
This program helps students who have lived in government care and may face additional financial and systemic barriers to access and succeed in post-secondary education.
This waiver supports Dalhousie’s commitment to access and inclusion, particularly for groups overrepresented in the child welfare system, including:
- Indigenous (especially Mi’kmaq) students
- African/Black students (especially African Nova Scotians)
- Students with disabilities
- 2SLGBTQIA+ students
Up to 10 renewable waivers are available each academic year and include:
- Renewable tuition waiver for undergraduate studies
- Transition programming and student supports
You must:
- Have lived in care in Canada’s child welfare system or have been in receipt of services through the Department of Community Services, Youth Services Program, or equivalent in your province or territory for at least one year (cumulative or accumulated)
- Be enrolled in or admitted to a Dalhousie undergraduate program with tuition and associated fees in the upcoming academic year
- Demonstrate financial need
- Not already have full educational funding
- Consent to a release of information for verification of your time in care
Preference is given to:
- Students connected to the Nova Scotia child welfare system including Mi’kmaw Family and Children’s Services of Nova Scotia – as defined by the Children and Family Services Act, 2017
- Students completing their first undergraduate degree
- Students from groups overrepresented in the child welfare system, including:
- Indigenous (especially Mi’kmaq) students
- African/Black students (especially African Nova Scotians)
- Students with disabilities
- 2SLGBTQIA+ students
- Applications are now open for 2026–2027
- Applications are accepted in three review rounds each year:
| Application received by | Decision communicated by |
| April 1 | April 30 |
| June 1 | June 30 |
| August 1 | August 31 |
If you're not selected in an earlier round, your application will continue to be considered in future review rounds as long as you meet the eligibility requirements. Once awarded, the waiver renews automatically for up to six years, or until you complete your degree, provided you continue to meet the renewal requirements (see below).
To maintain your post-care tuition waiver, you must:
- Maintain a scholarship GPA of 2.0 or higher
- Complete 18 credit hours over 2 academic terms each year
If circumstances beyond your control affect your academic progress, you may be able to appeal. Information about the appeal process is provided in your award letter.
Transition Year Program
Students who complete the Transition Year Program will be eligible for a tuition fee waiver which would cover tuition-related expenses for their first undergraduate degree.
Eligibility
- African Nova Scotia/Black and Nova Scotia First Nations Persons who are preparing for University credit study.
- While completing the Transition Year Program, students may be eligible for the University Prep Bursary fund. Contact Open Learning and Career Development for more information.
Following graduation from the Transition Year Program, students will be eligible for Dalhousie undergraduate bursaries in their first registered term.
Senior citizen tuition waiver
You may qualify if you:
- Are a Canadian citizen or permanent resident
- Are 65 years of age or older at registration
- Are enrolled in an undergraduate non-professional degree program
- Tuition fees only
- Incidental fees
- Auxiliary fees (e.g. music, theatre, costume studies)
- Residence and housing
Apply to Dalhousie as an undergraduate student. If you meet the eligibility criteria, your tuition waiver will be applied to your student account.