Alberta Student Aid provides financial resources to eligible post-secondary students in Alberta to help cover educational costs. This support includes loans, grants, and scholarships tailored to full-time and part-time students. Whether you’re a full-time powerhouse or balancing part-time studies with other responsibilities, understanding how to access and maintain student aid can make all the difference. We’re here to walk you through the essentials of Alberta Student Aid, from eligibility criteria and application procedures to maintaining your funding. Let’s make sure you can focus on what matters—your education!
General Eligibility Criteria for Alberta Student Aid
Citizenship and Residency
- Be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or have protected person status.
- Must be a resident of Alberta, meaning you have not lived in another Canadian province for 12 consecutive months and are attending a post-secondary institution in Alberta.
Independent Status
- You are considered independent if you meet any of the following criteria:
- Married or in a common-law relationship.
- Divorced, separated, or widowed.
- Have at least one dependent child.
- 23 years of age or older.
- Out of high school for at least four years.
- Available for full-time work for at least two years since leaving high school.
Eligibility Criteria for Student Aid Alberta for Full-time and Part-time Students
Full-time Students
You are recognized as a full-time student if you:
- Enroll in at least 60% of what your school considers a full-time course load.
- Have a disability and are enrolled in at least 40% of a full-time course load.
- Attend a licensed private career college in a program that lasts 12 weeks or longer and includes 20+ hours per week of instruction/practicum.
Alberta Student Aid Eligibility Criteria
- Withdrawal and Funding Eligibility: A student who withdraws from two study periods after receiving student funding will be ineligible for further funding for 12 months from the date of their second withdrawal. Those who change to part-time status are not subject to this rule.
- School and Program Eligibility: Your school and program must be recognized and eligible for student aid.
- Concurrent Enrollment: If you’re enrolled part-time at multiple schools but your total course load equals a full-time status, you can apply for student aid as a full-time student.
- Integrated Internships, Co-ops, and Practicums: Participation in an integrated internship, co-op, or practicum can qualify you for student aid. It is considered integrated if necessary for completing your degree, diploma, or certificate, and your school considers you a full-time student during this period.
- Exchange or Field Study Programs: If participating in an exchange or field study program, you may apply for student aid as a full-time student.
- Studying Outside of Canada: Students enrolled and paying tuition at a school outside Canada are eligible for student aid for full-time studies, provided their school and program are eligible.
Part-time students
A student is considered part-time if they are:
- Enrolled in less than 60% of what is considered a full-time course load by their school.
- If the student has a disability, they are considered part-time when enrolled in less than 40% of a full-time course load.
- Attending one to two courses per semester for a typical undergraduate program
Part-Time Alberta Student Aid Eligibility and Application Process
- Combining Part-Time Studies at Multiple Schools: If you’re enrolled part-time at multiple institutions and your combined course load equates to full-time, you can apply for full-time student aid.
- Course Completion Requirement: You must pass your courses to continue receiving part-time student aid. To verify your academic success, you may be required to provide transcripts or letters of progress.
- Repeating Courses: You may receive aid to repeat a part-time course, but you must request a review and provide a valid explanation for the repeat.
Application Procedures and Requirements
- 12-Month Enrollment: The maximum period you can apply for funding on a single application is 12 months.
- More Than 12-Month Enrollment: If your study period exceeds 12 months, you must submit two separate applications, one for each applicable loan year.
- Break in Studies: A study break of 30 days or more requires a new part-time application.
- Multiple Courses at Different Schools: If enrolled in courses at different schools, a separate part-time application is needed for each school.
- Full-Time Application for Concurrent Enrollment: If combined courses at different schools amount to a full-time load, submit a full-time application.
Signing Requirements
- Read and sign Section 7: Applicant Consent and Declaration in original ink.
- If married or in a common-law relationship, your spouse/partner must verify their income and provide an original ink signature on Section 8: Spouse/Partner Declaration.
- A school official (Awards Officer or Registrar’s Office) must complete the program information in Section 5 (page 3) and return it to you with their ink signature.
How to apply for an Alberta student loan?
- Set Up and Verify Your Account:
- Full-time students: Create and verify a Student Aid account to apply online. Access your inbox for important messages from Student Aid.
- Part-time students: Creating an account is optional; you will receive important messages by mail.
- To verify your account, use:
- An Alberta driver’s license or
- An identification card (available from Alberta Registry services for residents without a valid driver’s license).
- If You Have an Existing Account:
- Transfer to a verified account by following the steps on the Alberta.ca Account.
- Determine Your Status:
- Decide whether you are a full-time or part-time student, as aid calculations and application processes differ. This will help you select the right type of student aid in Alberta.
- Check Your Eligibility:
- Find out if you qualify for student aid.
- Gather Required Information:
- Personal Information: Address, phone number, email, birthdate, gender.
- Social Insurance Number.
- Alberta Student Number.
- Income Information: Total income amount from last year (Line 15000 of Income Tax Return).
- Emergency Contact Information.
- Academic Information: Program length, start, and end dates, and student ID number (if known).
- Financial Information: Expected support from parents or other sources, value of any awards, anticipated reduced income while in school.
- Additional Information Depending on Your Circumstances:
- Dependent Students: Provide parents’ or guardians’ names, Line 15000, family size, and number of siblings in post-secondary education.
- Married/Common-Law Students: Provide spouse’s or partner’s name, birthdate, Social Insurance Number, Line 15000, and expected reduced yearly income.
- Students with Dependent Children: Provide the child’s name, birthdate, and monthly childcare costs (if under 12).
- Students Enrolled at Multiple Schools/Exchange: Name of primary and additional schools, airfare costs (if applicable).
- Students with Disabilities: Provide proof of disability, medical letters, learning disability assessment, documentation of disability assistance (e.g., AISH), equipment costs, and assessment fee.
- Application Submission:
- Full-time students: Submit applications online through the verified Student Aid account.
- Part-time students: Complete and submit the part-time application form as instructed on the form.
- Required Medical Documents for Students with Disabilities (if applicable):
- Disability Verification form.
- Medical letters.
- Learning assessment documentation.
- Proof of federal or provincial disability assistance (e.g., AISH).
FAQs
What is Alberta Student Aid Contact?
You can contact Alberta Student Aid via their website or at 1-855-606-2096 for general inquiries or specific questions about your student aid.
How to make Alberta Student Aid Repayment?
Repayment of Alberta student loans typically begins six months after your studies end. During this grace period, interest does not accrue. You’ll receive a package from your loan provider with details on your repayment schedule, the amount you need to repay, and the repayment plan options available.
How to make an Alberta Student Loan Login?
To log in to your Alberta Student Loan account, visit the Alberta Student Aid portal. You must use your verified Alberta.ca Account credentials to access your loan details, application status, and personal information.
Where to Find Alberta Student Loan Number?
Your Alberta Student Loan Number can be found on any official correspondence from Alberta Student Aid, such as your loan agreement or the statements you receive. It’s also available when logging into your Alberta Student Aid account online.
How Much Does Alberta Student Aid Give?
Alberta Student Aid provides various amounts of money, depending on factors such as your financial situation, program of study, and academic term length. Each application is assessed individually to determine the funding you can receive.
Can International Students Apply for Alberta Student Aid?
No, international students are not eligible for Alberta Student Aid. These funds are available only to Canadian citizens, permanent residents, and protected persons in Alberta.
What Student Grants are Available in Alberta?
Alberta offers several grants for students who demonstrate financial need, including the Alberta Student Grant for Full-Time Students, the Alberta Part-Time Grant, and grants for students with dependents or disabilities. Eligibility is determined when you apply for student aid.
How Long Does Alberta Student Aid Take?
The processing time for Alberta Student Aid applications can vary. Generally, it takes about 4 to 6 weeks to process an application once all required documentation has been submitted. However, times can vary, especially during peak periods around the start of school terms.
That wraps up our guide to student aid in Alberta. For a detailed breakdown of the different types of student aid available in Alberta, check out our comprehensive article on types of student aid in Alberta. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact us—we’re ready to assist you!
Remember, it’s your first step towards a brighter, more empowered future through education!
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