Government aid for students include grants and loans to help full-time and part-time students cover the cost of post-secondary education, including tuition, books, living expenses and more.
- Grants don’t need to be paid back.
- Loans do need to be repaid after you finish school.
- Your province will assess your eligibility for grants automatically when you apply.
Note: If you are an Academic Upgrading, English as an Additional Language, or Transitions to Employment student, you are ineligible for this funding, and need to apply for funding through the Foundational Learning Assistance Program instead.
Not sure how to get funding? Find important information about where and how to apply.
Who can get student aid in Canada?
To be eligible for a Canada Student Loan or Grant, you must:
- Be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or have protected person status
- Have been accepted into a qualifying post-secondary program
- Can demonstrate that you need financial help to pay for school
General information about student loans and grants
Need to learn more about Student Aid in Alberta? Alberta Student Aid has you covered with their Loans and Grants Funding Guide.
Resources for managing or repaying your student loans
Connecting with us
Questions about applying for financial assistance?
There are multiple options available for you to connect including via phone, email or in person.
In person
Visit the Student Service Center located in the CELT Main Lobby. View our campus map
Phone
Call us at 780.644.6000
Frequently asked questions
Can I apply for loans for Spring or Summer semesters?
Yes, include semester details in your application and Service Request comments.
In Alberta, applications for spring/summer student aid open in March, but other provinces have different processes and timelines. If you are planning to study in spring/summer, connect with us in February to get started on the process.
Can I apply for student aid before I am accepted into my program?
Yes. You can apply for student aid before you are accepted into your program.
Applying early can help prevent delays once you are accepted and your enrolment is confirmed
However, your funding cannot be approved or paid until:
- You have been accepted into your program.
- Your school confirms your enrolment.
Some student aid forms from other provinces may also require proof that you have been accepted or enrolled before they can be completed.
Applying early can help prevent delays once you are accepted and your enrolment is confirmed.
Do I need to reapply each year?
Yes, you must reapply each year to receive funding for the upcoming school year, which runs from August 1 to July 31.How do I choose the correct training dates for my Full-Time Alberta Student Aid application?
NorQuest uses standard training dates for Alberta Student Aid applications. This means the dates you enter may not match your exact class start and end dates.
Use the guide below to choose the correct training dates.
Training start date
- If your first class is on or before the 15th of the month, enter the 1st of that month.
- Example: Your first class is September 8 → Enter September 1.
- If your first class is after the 15th of the month, enter the 1st of the following month.
- Example: Your first class is September 18 → Enter October 1.
Training end date
- If your last class or final exam is on or after the 7th of the month, enter the last day of that month.
- Example: Your last class or final exam is December 12 → Enter December 31.
- If your last class or final exam is before the 7th of the month, enter the last day of the previous month.
- Example: Your last class or final exam is December 4 → Enter November 30.
How do I know to apply for full-time or part-time funding?
Your status as a full-time or part-time student depends on the number of courses you are taking. Apply for:
Full-time funding if you’re taking:
- At least 60% of a full course load, or
- At least 40% if you have a permanent disability.
Part-time funding if you’re taking:
- Less than 60% of a full course load, or
- Less than 40% if you have a permanent disability.
You can find your full-time course load on your program’s webpage under the Costs and Courses tab. The number of credits listed there shows what 60% of a full-time course load is for your program.
If you are not enrolled in any classes for 30 days in a row or more during the term, you may need to apply for student aid more than once for that term.
If you aren't sure, consult with the Alberta Student Aid website for more details on eligibility, or connect with a student advisor at NorQuest.
How do I know which province to apply through?
It depends on your residency status. Check the how to apply page for the guidelines for independent or dependent students.I need to provide my tuition, mandatory fees, books costs and study dates on my student aid application. Where do I find this?
- If you are already enrolled you can find information about tuition, fees and study dates on your MyQuest account.
- If you have not yet enrolled, you can find the fees estimates on the Costs and Courses tab of each program webpage.
- A list of books and their prices can be found on the The Core's website.
I'm currently repaying my student loans and I'm enrolled in Academic Upgrading. Can I defer my loan?
No.
Preparatory programs, including Academic Upgrading, EAL Intensive, and Teaching English as a Second Language, are not designated programs under Alberta Student Aid.
This means you cannot:
- Defer your student loan payments.
- Have your loans placed into interest-free status while enrolled.
Only students enrolled in designated post-secondary programs are eligible to request loan repayment deferral using a Schedule 2 (Canada Student Loan) or Form B (Alberta Student Loan).
The government says NorQuest needs to confirm my enrolment. Why haven't you confirmed my enrolment yet?
NorQuest College is unable to confirm your loan until we receive a request from the government, 30 days before your classes start. We will confirm your enrolment within 21 of receiving the request from government.What happens if I change my course load while getting student aid?
If you switch from full-time to part-time studies (or drop courses), you might lose your funding. Any future payments could be canceled.
Your school will automatically let your lender know about changes after the add/drop deadline and up until the course withdrawal deadline.
We strongly recommend speaking with a Financial Aid Advisor before dropping any courses—they can help you understand how it may affect your funding. It's also a good idea to connect with a Retention Advisor to discuss any changes to your course plan.