Skip to main content Skip to site utility navigation Skip to main site navigation Skip to site search Skip to footer
Login
Hide Menu
Menu

Tuition Policy

Ref. No. Executive sponsor Policy steward Approval authority First approved Last reviewed Effective date Next review
62.10 Vice President, College Services and Strategy Chief Financial Officer Board of Governors December 17, 2025 December 2025 August 15, 2026 December 2026
  1. Purpose
    1. This policy aims to promote clarity and consistency in the establishment, application, revision, payment, and refunding of the College’s tuition, ensuring compliance with all relevant regulatory requirements. 
    2. In accordance with Section 63(1) of the Community Colleges Act, and with the approval of the Governor in Council, the Board of Governors shall establish a tuition policy and schedule of tuition fees, subject to the approval of the Minister of Labour, Skills and Immigration. 
    3. NSCC recognizes its responsibility and accountability to the diverse community it serves and is committed to educational equity throughout the College. 
    4. This policy reflects the College’s commitment to equitable access and a learning-centered approach, through consistent, transparent, and fair standards. 
  1. Scope
    1. This policy applies to all students enrolled in courses/programs with associated tuition delivered by the College. 
    2. This policy does not apply to non-credit course offerings, application fees, cost recovery programs, and contract offerings of training.  
    3. The Chief Financial Officer (CFO) is responsible for the annual establishment (development, approval, and publication) of tuition and fees.  
    4. The Director, Enrolment & Registrar is responsible for interpreting this policy in the application of tuition and fees. The Director, Enrolment & Registrar shall notify the CFO and/or Vice-President College Services and Strategy regarding significant deviations from this policy.  
  1. Definitions
Term Definition
Course load the number of courses in which a student is enrolled in a given semester that are program requirements.
Credit balance the result of over-payment on an account.
Domestic student Canadian citizens, permanent residents and individuals with refugee status living in Canada.
Fee mandatory or elective costs, other than tuition, assigned to program components and College services.
Full time student status a student who is enrolled in a full-time course load in a given semester.
International student individuals who are not citizens, permanent residents, or individuals with refugee status living in Canada.
Over-payment where the monies collected exceed the monies due.
Part time student status a student who is enrolled in a part-time load in a given semester.
Program of study the approved and structured sequence of courses and learning requirements that comprise the delivery of a College Credential Program.
Refund repayment of eligible monies.
Student any individual who is registered in a program and/or enrolled in courses at and/or provided by NSCC.
Student account a student’s financial record of all charges, payments, and credits incurred throughout their time at the College.
Term the period in which all classes are scheduled to begin and end within a set time frame.
Term amount calculated tuition and applicable mandatory fees for the term enrolled.
Tuition the cost to enroll in a program or course, exclusive of additional fees. Tuition is charged differently for domestic and international students, based on government policy.
Tuition deposit non-refundable payment required by an applicant or student to secure their spot for an upcoming course/program which they have been admitted to.
Unit (program delivery) based on instructional time; one unit is equivalent to 4 credits or 60 hours of instructional time.
Withdrawal when a student officially removes themselves from enrolment and participation in a course or program.
  1. Policy
    1. Tuition
      1. General
        1. Tuition for domestic and international students must be approved annually by the NSCC Board of Governors and the Nova Scotia Minister of Labour, Skills and Immigration.
        2. The College is required to comply with the standards, regulations, and directives set by the Nova Scotia government regarding the setting of tuition.
        3. Tuition will be set and published in Canadian dollars on an annual basis, available and transparent to the public. The official source of tuition information is the College’s public website at www.nscc.ca.
        4. Tuition fees represent a partial cost of education; the remainder is publicly subsidized by the Province of Nova Scotia.
      2. Applying Tuition
        1. All full-time students shall be charged tuition at the annual rate approved and posted to their program of study.
        2. All part-time students shall be charged tuition at the per-credit rate approved and posted to their program of study. Tuition is calculated and charged at the beginning of each term.
        3. All international students will be charged the approved international tuition rate applicable to their program of study.
        4. The CFO may authorize tuition waivers for defined groups (e.g., Indigenous learners, refugees, or College employees) in accordance with equity or funding strategies.
    2. Tuition Payment
      1. General
        1. Tuition payment deadlines are published annually by the College. Details can be found on the Program payment schedule page.
        2. Tuition will be charged at the beginning of each term.
        3. A tuition deposit may be required to confirm a student’s seat prior to the term tuition charge.
      2. Student Responsibilities
        1. Students are required to meet the deadline dates for tuition payments, outlined in the Program payment schedule and/or their Program fees page.
        2. Failure to meet tuition payment deadlines may result in academic or registration restrictions, up to and including withdrawal.
    3. Tuition Refunds
      1. General
        1. Refund(s) shall be available once all outstanding student tuition and fee balances have been collected.
        2. Refund(s) of student loans, sponsorship payments, or other similar funding shall be returned to the issuer in accordance with their terms of receipt agreement.
        3. Tuition refunds do not include the application fee or the non-refundable tuition deposit.
        4. Tuition refunds that fall outside the published schedule must be approved by the campus Manager of Administrative Services and/or a Central Finance Manager.
    4. Calculation of Tuition Refunds
      1. Refunds will be calculated based on a tiered schedule aligned with the academic calendar and date of withdrawal.
      2. Refunds for Credit Balances on Student Accounts
        1. Credit balances resulting from over-payments are eligible for a refund.
        2. Student accounts with a credit balance will be reviewed to ensure accuracy of the refund amount and eligibility prior to issuance of a refund.
  1. Policy Supports

Policy Supports:

13.01 College Credentials Policy 

21.01 Admissions Policy 

28.01 Student Awards Policy 

32.01  Student Academic Appeals Policy 

34.01 Academic Accommodations Policy 

Other Resources: 

2026-2027 Tuition Schedule:

Domestic

International

Top