University · Halifax, Nova Scotia
Dalhousie University Scholarships & Financial Aid
Dalhousie University, the largest university in Atlantic Canada, offers competitive entrance scholarships, the Sexton Scholar awards for engineering students, and substantial bursary support. Nova Scotia's Graduate Retention Rebate adds another incentive — graduates who stay in NS can get up to $25,000 in student loan principal refunded.
Entrance scholarships: $2,000–$40,000+ based on average and application
Sexton Scholar: Competitive engineering entrance awards
Automatic awards: Based on admission average (no application required)
NS Graduate Retention Rebate: Up to $25,000 refunded for staying in NS
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Quick facts — Dalhousie University Scholarships & Financial Aid
Entrance scholarships
$2,000–$40,000+ based on average and application
Sexton Scholar
Competitive engineering entrance awards
Automatic awards
Based on admission average (no application required)
NS Graduate Retention Rebate
Up to $25,000 refunded for staying in NS
Location
Halifax, Nova Scotia
Last verified
March 2026
Entrance scholarships
Dalhousie offers both automatic and competitive entrance awards:
- Automatic Entrance Scholarships: Based on admission average — amounts vary by program and average
- Sexton Scholar Awards: Competitive awards for students entering Dalhousie Engineering (Sexton Campus)
- Faculty-specific entrance awards: Science, Arts, Management, and Health have dedicated scholarships
- Schulich Leader nominations: Dalhousie is a participating Schulich Leader institution
Pro tip: Use our free 5-step quiz to see which of these programs you're eligible for — and get a ranked list of matching scholarships, grants, and bursaries in under 3 minutes.
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The Nova Scotia advantage
Studying at Dalhousie comes with Nova Scotia-specific financial benefits:
- NS Graduate Retention Rebate: Up to $25,000 in student loan principal refunded for graduates staying in NS
- NS Student Bursary: Non-repayable provincial grant for NS residents with financial need
- Halifax's relatively lower cost of living compared to Toronto and Vancouver helps stretch your funding further
Tips for Dal students
Practical advice for Dalhousie students:
- Apply for the bursary program through myDal each year
- Engineering students should look into Sexton Scholar awards — they're program-specific and less competitive than university-wide awards
- If you plan to work in Nova Scotia after graduation, factor in the Graduate Retention Rebate — it's a major financial benefit
- Out-of-province students: Check if your home province's student aid can be used at Dalhousie (it can)
Frequently asked questions
Some are. Dalhousie awards automatic entrance scholarships based on your admission average. Higher-value competitive awards require a separate application.
Sexton Scholar awards are competitive entrance scholarships for students entering Dalhousie's engineering programs at the Sexton Campus. They're based on academic performance and sometimes additional application components.
Yes. Out-of-province students can use their home province's student aid at Dalhousie and also apply for Dalhousie's institutional bursaries and scholarships.
Yes. Dalhousie provides graduate scholarships, teaching and research assistantships, and the Killam Predoctoral Scholarship — one of the most prestigious doctoral awards at a Canadian university.
Yes. Dalhousie offers the International Entrance Scholarship and other awards for international students. Check the Dalhousie International Centre website for eligibility and amounts.
Official source:
Awards & Financial Aid – Dalhousie University
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Last verified: March 2026
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Always confirm details directly with the program provider before applying.
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