2022-23 Academic Year
Applying for Student Aid
Students must login to apply, and check their application online at studentaid.alberta.ca.
Student Aid recommends you apply at least two months prior to the start of school:
- Starting school on or after August 1, 2022 - apply on the 2022-23 application
- Starting school on or before July 31, 2022 - apply on the 2021-22 application
Important Notice | Student Aid Verified Accounts
As of September 8, all students need to create or upgrade to a verified Alberta.ca Account (formerly MyAlberta Digital ID) to access the Alberta Student Aid system. Getting a verified account can take up to 10 days.
Learn more at: Student Aid Verified Accounts
Alexander Rutherford Scholarship Application
The 2022-23 Alexander Rutherford High School Achievement Scholarship online application will be available in early August.
Affordability Supports | Bursary for Internationally Educated Nurses
As of March 31, 2023
A new service bursary to provide funding supports for internationally educated nurses in Alberta. Eligible nursing practitioners can receive up to $30,000 to help cover the costs of nursing bridging programs, tuition and cost of living expenses.
Learn more at: Bursary for Internationally Educated Nurses
Alberta Scholarships and Awards
All scholarship and award applications will be available in early August.
Alberta Student Aid Changes
Unless otherwise indicated, the changes to Alberta Student Aid program, systems, and policies are for the upcoming loan year (August 1, 2022 to July 31, 2023).
Increased Loan Limits
The student loan limit increases below are effective for full-time study periods beginning on or after August 1, 2022.
Annual Loan Limits
There is an increase to the standard annual loan limit in combined Canada and Alberta student loans.
|
Annual Loan Limits |
2021-22 |
New 2022-23 |
|
One semester (1 to 4 months) |
$7,500 |
$8,500 |
|
Two semesters (5 to 9 months) |
$15,000 |
$17,000 |
|
Three semesters (10 to 12 months) |
$22,500 |
$25,500 |
For more information, see Loan Limits policy.
Lifetime Loan Limits
A new lifetime loan limit is established for open studies and undergraduate programs of one year or less. The new loan limit of $51,000 is equivalent to two years of the maximum standard annual loan limit of $25,500.
|
Student’s Program |
2021-22 |
New 2022-23 |
|
Open Studies, One Year Undergraduate Programs including Certificate, Diploma, and Apprenticeship Programs |
N/A |
$51,000 |
|
Undergraduate Programs* of two years or more in length including Certificate, Diploma, Bachelor's Degree, and Journeyman Certificate |
$75,000 *Up to $60,000 for either Commercial Aviation Training (maximum of $15,000 for each of four approved fixed wing training components), or for Commercial Helicopter Training. |
$85,000 *Up to $68,000 for either Commercial Aviation Training (maximum of $17,000 for each of four approved fixed wing training components), or for Commercial Helicopter Training. |
|
Dental Hygiene |
$85,000 |
$95,000 |
|
Graduate programs, Pharmacy |
$100,000 |
$125,000 |
|
Master of Business Administration, Law, Doctoral |
$125,000 |
$150,000 |
|
Medicine, Dentistry, Veterinary Medicine, Chiropractic Medicine, Optometry |
$175,000 |
$200,000 |
Living Allowance Increase
There is an increase to the living allowances used to calculate eligibility for the 2022-23 school year. This amount is used by Alberta Student Aid as part of the calculation of your total costs.
For more information, see Standard Living Costs
Alberta Student Grant for Full-time Students
Effective February 7, 2023
The amount of the grant is based on family income (Line 15000 of 2021 income tax form) and family size. The monthly grant amount is increased from $250 to $475 per month, and the annual grant maximum is increased from $3,000 to $5,700 per year.
This grant increase applies to students who are eligible for this grant in the 2022-23 loan year. This is a one time increase exclusively for the 2022-23 loan year.
- Applying for full-time studies on or after February 7, 2023
Eligible students will automatically receive the higher grant amounts. No action is required by students to receive additional grant funding. - Already received the Alberta Student Grant in the 2022-2023 loan year, (prior to February 7, 2023)
Eligible students can expect to benefit from the grant changes, provided they continue to meet Alberta Student Grant eligibility criteria during their studies.
Students will be automatically assessed for the higher grant amounts by Alberta Student Aid and are not required to submit a new application, or Request for Reconsideration.
Grant Changes - Effective June 20, 2023
The maximum amount awarded was $250 per month and the annual grant maximum was from $3,000.
For more information, see Alberta Student Grants
Canada Student Financial Assistance Program Changes
A number of program changes to increase eligibility for funding for students and families will continue during the upcoming academic year.
Doubling of Canada Student Grants
The following Canada Student Grants will continue to be doubled in the 2022-23 loan year:
- Canada Student Grant for Full-Time Students
- Canada Student Grant for Part-Time Students
- Canada Student Grant for Full-Time Students with Dependants
- Canada Student Grant for Part-Time Students with Dependants
- Canada Student Grant for Students with Disabilities
There are no changes to the following grants:
- Skills Boost Top-Up to the Canada Student Grant
- Canada Student Grant for Services and Equipment - Students with Disabilities
For more information, see the Full-time Grants and Part-time Grants sections.
Income Thresholds | New Grant Maximums and Cut-offs
The income thresholds as determined by the Canada Student Financial Assistance Program are increased in the 2022-23 school year. These income thresholds are used to determine the student’s eligibility for:
- Canada Student Grant for Full-Time Students
- Canada Student Grant for Full-Time Students with Dependants
- Canada Student Grant for Part-Time Studies
- Canada Student Grant for Part-Time Students with Dependants
This is also used to determine the Federal Student Contribution and Federal Spouse/Partner Contribution.
| Family Size | Low Income Threshold/Income Threshold for Maximum Grant (in $) |
Income Threshold at Which Grant Eligibility is Cut-off (in $) |
| 1 | 33,180 | 64,693 |
| 2 | 46,923 | 90,528 |
| 3 | 57,469 | 108,145 |
| 4 | 66,360 | 119,177 |
| 5 | 74,192 | 129,339 |
| 6 | 81,274 | 138,966 |
| 7 or more | 87,785 | 147,309 |
There are no changes to the income threshold charts used to determine eligibility for Alberta grant funding, including:
- Alberta Student Grant for Full-time Students
- Alberta Part-Time Grant
For more information see, Income Thresholds for Canada and Alberta Eligibility.
Canada Student Loans | Permanent Elimination of Interest
Effective April 1, 2023
The Government of Canada has permanently eliminated the accumulation of interest on all Canada student loans including loans currently in repayment. Students are still responsible to pay any interest that may have accrued on their Canada loans before April 1, 2023.
Canada Student Loans | Interest Will Not Accrue
Interest on Canada student loans is waived from April 1, 2021 until March 31, 2023. This means interest will not accrue during this period for full-time Canada student loans as well as part-time Canada student loans.
Expanding Support for Students with Disabilities
Effective August 1, 2022
Alberta Student Aid and the Canada Student Financial Assistance Program are extending disability supports to students whose disabilities are persistent or prolonged, but not necessarily permanent. The new supports for students who have persistent or prolonged disabilities adds to the supports already in place for people with lifelong, permanent disabilities.
Students must provide medical documents to identify their disability as one of the following:
- Permanent Disability
- Persistent or Prolonged Disability
A new Disability Verification form is available on the Applications and Forms section. This form will assist students with describing the nature of their disability as either a permanent disability, or a persistent or prolonged disability.
For more information, see the Student Aid Policy Manual, Chapter 4: Students with Disabilities
Repayment Assistance Plan Changes
Effective November 1, 2022
The Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP) for the Canada student loan portion only is updated to increase RAP income thresholds.
For more information, go to Repayment Assistance Plan – How it works and Repayment Assistance Plan - Disability assistance.
Residency History form (formerly Residency Resume)
The Residency History form is the new name of the Residency Resume form. The renamed form collects the same information, and the new name is more intuitive for students who need to submit this form. The same name change protocols impacted the Alexander Rutherford Scholarship Residency History form.
Student Services
There are number of service improvements to make it easier for students to manage their applications, reviews of their personal accounts and submit documents with their applications.
- Cancel applications
Students can now self cancel an active application for loans and grants. - Request a review of your account
Student Aid will review students' accounts if there are changes to their personal information, or they need more money. Students can now cancel a Request for Review submitted in their personal accounts without having to involve the service center in this process. - Upload documents
Students are required to submit documents securely to Alberta Student Aid in their personal accounts. They will now receive a courtesy message reminding them to remove any password protection on their documents before hitting submit. This will prevent delays in processing documents.
Additional Resources
View the program changes in the 2021-22 academic year below.
Please continue to visit this section to ensure you are getting up-to-date information. Information is subject to change.
2021-22 Academic Year
The Government of Alberta is committed to supporting students. Learn more about our response to the pandemic and financial impacts for students.
All information is updated to include the rebranding of the Canada Student Loans Program to the Canada Student Financial Assistance Program.
Applying for Student Aid
Students must log in to register, apply, and check their application online at studentaid.alberta.ca.
Student Aid recommends you apply at least two months prior to the start of school:
- Starting school on or after August 1, 2021 - apply on the 2021-22 application
- Starting school on or before July 31, 2021 - apply on the 2020-21 application
Alexander Rutherford Scholarship Application
The 2021-22 Alexander Rutherford High School Achievement Scholarship online application will be available in early August.
Alberta Scholarships and Awards
All scholarship and award applications will be available in early August.
Alberta Student Aid Changes
Unless otherwise indicated, the changes to Alberta Student Aid program, systems, and policies are for the upcoming loan year (August 1, 2021 to July 31, 2022).
Alberta Student Grant for Full-time Students (ASG-FT)
Effective Sept 21, 2021
All funds available for the Alberta Student Grant for the 2021-22 loan year have been allocated. Students continue to be eligible to receive all other Alberta and Canada student grants and the maximum loan amount available for each year they are in school, if applicable.
Note: Grant funding will be restored in late spring 2022 for the 2022-23 loan year.
For more information, see Alberta Student Grants.
Successive Short-Term Programs Policy
Reinstated as of December 2, 2021
A student who receives funding for two successive short-term programs (each less than or equal to 12 months), or switches between short-term programs during a study period, is not eligible for funding for a third short-term program for a 12-month period.
Learn more about academic progress.
Open Studies Policy
Definition as of December 22, 2021
Students who are not enrolled in a specific program of study, and are enrolled in studies referred to as 'open studies' or 'qualifying year' may be eligible to apply for or receive funding when they:
- enter studies following an undergraduate degree, in order to satisfy prerequisite requirements for a specific graduate program, or
- cannot enter into an undergraduate program major, and are enrolled in the relevant program courses.
Learn more about program eligibility.
Income Thresholds
The income thresholds as determined by the Canada Student Financial Assistance Program are increased in the 2021-22 school year. These income thresholds are used to help determine the student’s eligibility for the:
- Canada Student Grant for Full-time Students (CSG-FT)
- Skills Boost Top-Up to the Canada Student Grant for Full-time Students (CSG-TU)
- Canada Student Grant for Full-Time Students with Dependants (CSG-FTDEP)
- Alberta Student Grant for Full-Time Students (ASG-FT)
For more information see, Income Thresholds for Canada and Alberta Eligibility.
Living Allowance Increase
There is an increase to the living allowances used to calculate eligibility for the 2021-22 school year. This amount is used by Alberta Student Aid as part of the calculation of your total costs.
Move to Paperless
Students with a spouse/partner who do not have a Social Insurance Number (SIN) will need to provide one of the following reasons when completing the full-time application:
- Spouse lives outside Canada
- Spouse not eligible for a SIN
- Spouse has not applied for a SIN
This additional information allows those students whose spouse/partner lives outside Canada to apply online. This change will reduce the number of paper applications.
Canada Student Financial Assistance Program Changes
There are a number of program changes that will increase eligibility for funding in recognition that many students and families will struggle to save for this school year, and may have reduced part-time or summer employment opportunities.
Canada Emergency Benefits for COVID-19
The Government of Canada's emergency support benefits for students continue in the 2021-22 loan year. These do not need to be reported on the application and will not be used as a resource.
Doubling of Canada Student Grants
The following Canada Student Grants will continue to be doubled in the 2021-22 loan year.
- Canada Student Grant for Full-Time Students
- Canada Student Grant for Part-Time Students
- Canada Student Grant for Full-Time Students with Dependants
- Canada Student Grant for Part-Time Students with Dependants
- Canada Student Grant for Students with Permanent Disabilities
There are no changes to the following grants:
- Skills Boost Top-Up to the Canada Student Grant
- Canada Student Grant for Services and Equipment for Students with Permanent Disabilities
For more information, see the Full-time Grants and Part-time Grants sections.
Federal Student and Spouse/Partner Contributions
The Canada Student Financial Assistance Program will consider contributions from parents and spouses/partners to help determine your eligibility for Canada student loans and grants. The Canada student loan assessment for expected student and spousal contributions was waived in the previous loan year.
There are no changes to the Alberta expected student contribution or the federal parental contribution. Alberta does not have a forced spouse/partner contribution.
For more information, refer to:
Canada Student Loans | Weekly Maximum Amount
The maximum Canada Student Loan that can be issued is 60% of the student’s Canada calculated need, up to a maximum of $210 per week. This is reduced from the one-time COVID-19 maximum amount of $350 per week in the 2020-21 loan year.
Canada Student Loans | Interest Will Not Accrue
Effective April 1, 2021
Interest on Canada student loans is waived until March 31, 2023. This means interest will not accrue during this period for full-time Canada Student Loans as well as part-time Canada Student Loans.
Students with Permanent Disabilities | Learning Assessment Fee Increase
Effective July 14, 2021
The Canada Student Grants program’s partial coverage of the cost of a Learning Assessment is increased from $1,700 to a maximum of $3,500 per loan year.
Designations Waiting Period Exemption
Alberta Student Aid implemented a one-year waiting period for designating new schools, or new locations of existing schools in 2020. This policy was recently revised to allow for requests for exemption. The new exemption process reviews requests on a case-by-case basis.
Past performance and compliance history are taken into account for existing Private Career Colleges that request exemption from the Institution Designation Waiting Period for new campuses.
Moving Up Funding Policy | Discontinued
Alberta Student Aid will no longer change a student’s disbursement schedule and move up student funding. Previously, students had the option of requesting their funding was moved up from a later study period to their current study period to help them meet their short-term financial needs.
Determining Family Income | Change to Definition
The definition previously considered whether the student was legally responsible for their child, and not whether they were financially responsible for their dependant. The terminology the student is 'legally responsible' is now replaced with the wording, the student is 'financially responsible'.
For more information, see Student Resources.
Additional Resources
To view the 2020-21 What's New as a PDF, download.
Please continue to visit this section to ensure you are getting up-to-date information. Information is subject to change.