Were you ever in foster care or child welfare services? You may be eligible for free tuition at MSVU.

Mount Saint Vincent University’s Post Care Tuition Waiver Program (PCTWP) is an initiative aimed at making post-secondary education more accessible for former youth in care by waiving tuition (full program) and mandatory program fees for eligible students. There are ten waivers available for each Fall term.

PCTWP Eligibility Criteria:

  • Have lived in care for a minimum of one year (consecutive or accumulated) 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. Students who do not meet this criterion are still encouraged to apply with explanation in the Extenuating Circumstances section and any supporting documents possible.
  • Have obtained an offer of admission from MSVU. If the application fee of $40 is a barrier to you, please contact pctwp@msvu.ca to discuss available options.
  • Complete a PCTWP application — including verification of eligibility, an Educational/Academic Plan and a Financial Need Assessment and provide documentation to support any other extenuating circumstances to assist in determining eligibility.
  • Entering or working towards completing your first certificate, diploma or degree program. If you have completed other post-secondary schooling, your file will be reviewed for eligibility. 2+2 students from NSCC are eligible to apply for the PCTWP.
  • Full time and part time students are eligible for the PCTWP.
  • Will meet with the PCTWP coordinator to explore other sources of funding and orientation to MSVU.
  • Not currently 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.

How To Apply:

Step 1
Applications who can provide verification from the Disclosure Program will be given priority for the PCTWP. They will provide you with a letter of verification.

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

If you can’t provide DCS verification, please provide any supporting documentation you can and discuss it in the Extenuating Circumstances portion of the application.

Step 2
Complete the 2024-25 PCTWP application available in PDF form. Please download, fill (including your MSVU student number) and complete all sections.

Step 3

Send Verification Letter received from the Disclosure Program, the PCTWP Application, and any other relevant documents to: PCTWP@msvu.ca or by mail:

Mount Saint Vincent University

ATTN: PCTWP
EMF 108
166 Bedford Hwy Halifax, NS B3M 2J6

Applications for the 2024-25 academic year are now closed. If you would like to inquire about applying for Winter 2025 start, please contact PCTWP@msvu.ca.

Questions:

Please email your questions and comments to PCTWP@msvu.ca or call 902 457 6567.

Mount Saint Vincent University reserves the right to change criteria based on funding available.