Getting financial aid in Alberta for college can seem tricky, but it’s all about knowing your options. This quick guide covers everything, including Student Aid Alberta eligibility, the type of funding you can get, scholarships, how much you can borrow, and more. Plus, we’re shining a light on ABES College‘s eligible programs to help you get started.
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for Student Aid Alberta, students must be enrolled in designated programs at accredited schools. Eligibility criteria also include things like academic performance, residency requirements, financial need, and enrollment in an eligible program.
Specific programs at private career colleges may have limits on the amount of funding available, but federal student aid might be an option if provincial aid caps are reached.
To find out if your program is eligible, fill out the form on this page.
Types of Funding
Alberta offers distinct funding options for full-time and part-time students.
Full-Time Student Aid Options
Full-time students must enroll in at least 60% of a full course load (or 40% for those with disabilities) in programs that are 12 weeks (about three months) or longer and feature 20+ hours of instruction/practicum per week.
- Loans: Full-time students can apply for loans to cover educational expenses like tuition, fees, books, and living costs. Both Alberta and Canada offer student loans, which are interest-free while in school but need to be repaid after leaving school. Most students may receive up to $8,500 per semester in combined Alberta and Canada student loans.
- Grants: Full-time students may also qualify for grants, which do not need to be repaid unless eligibility changes. Notable grants include:
- Alberta Grant for Students with Disabilities: Up to $3,000/year.
- Alberta Student Grant for Full-time Students: Up to $425/month, with a maximum of $5,100 per year.
- Canada Student Grant for Full-time Students: Up to $525/month.
- Canada Student Grant for Full‐Time Students with Dependents: $280/month.
- Canada Student Grant for Services and Equipment for Students with Disabilities: Up to $20,000/year.
- Canada Student Grant for Students with Disabilities: $2,800/year.
Part-Time Student Aid Options
- Loans: Part-time students qualify for Canada student loans, capped at $10,000 in total debt for part-time loans. Repayment begins 6 months after leaving school.
- Grants: Part-time students with high financial need, lower family income, or special circumstances may qualify for grants such as:
- Alberta Part-time Grant: Up to $600/semester.
- Canada Student Grant for Part-time Studies: Up to $2,520/year.
- Canada Student Grant for Part-time Students with Dependents: Up to $2,688/year.
- Canada Student Grant for Students with Disabilities: $2,800/year.
- Canada Student Grant for Services and Equipment for Students with Disabilities: Up to $20,000/year.
Scholarships
Alberta’s government offers a variety of scholarships and awards to support and celebrate the achievements of students in post-secondary studies. One of the featured scholarships includes the Alexander Rutherford Scholarship for undergraduate students, valued at $2,500, which requires applicants to have their official high school transcript marks and be enrolled in full-time post-secondary studies.
For a comprehensive overview of available scholarships, including those geared towards college students in healthcare programs, check out this list.
Start Your Post-Secondary Journey at ABES
For students considering ABES College, it’s important to know that our programs are fully designated, and eligible for both full-time and part-time financial aid options. Focused on career-oriented healthcare programs, ABES also provides its own financial aid programs to further support your education journey.
Choose ABES College to unlock your career potential! Contact our team today to learn more about our admissions process.