You can request that Student Aid reviews your account if there are changes to your personal information or you need more money.

On this page:

Overview

After you’ve been approved for student aid, you must inform Student Aid of any changes to the information you provided in your application, even if you don’t think that it will impact your eligibility.

Request a review of your account if:

  • your academic or personal situation changes
  • your expenses or educational costs change
  • you want to request more money
  • you believe your application requires reconsideration for another reason

Before requesting a review, keep in mind:

  • you can’t request more than your loan limits except in special circumstances
  • there are expenses that Alberta Student Aid doesn’t cover
  • requesting a review doesn’t guarantee you’ll get additional money

How to request a review

The most basic request is called a Request for Reconsideration, which can be submitted online. Submitting duplicate requests will cause a delay.

Your request may take up to 30 days to process. You must submit it at least 30 days before the study end date you provided on your application.

You can check the status of your request at any time through your Student Aid account.

  1. Login to your secure Student Aid account.
  2. Choose 'Request for Review' on the right-hand menu.
  3. Select your reason for submitting a request and complete the online form. You’ll be notified if you need to submit additional documents (see below).

If your request does not require documentation, you can call the Alberta Student Aid Service Centre to make your change over the phone. Review the list of requests that require documentation in the list below.

Required documents

Some requests may require additional documentation. If documents are missing, your request will be delayed.

If you submit your request online, you may be asked to provide the following information:

Making changes to personal information

Changes to

Provide

Legal name
  • Legal name change document
  • Marriage certificate
  • Divorce/separation papers
  • Driver's licence
  • Passport

Marital status
  • Marriage certificate
  • Divorce/separation papers
  • Letter stating date of separation
  • Driver’s licence
  • Passport

Making changes to school or enrolment information

Changes to

Provide

Full-time or part-time study information
  • Official documentation from your school indicating your program, specialization, program outcome and program term dates
  • Breakdown of your tuition, mandatory fees and books/supplies

Study end dates for medical reasons

The maximum extension permitted for medical reasons is one month.
  • Medical documentation
  • Confirmation from your school that your study period end date has been extended

Concurrent enrolment or exchange/field study program

Aviation or private pilot licence program

Making changes to monthly costs or resources

Changes to

Provide

Rent or residency fees, mortgage, or utilities

Consideration may also be given to property taxes and condo fees. Cable, satellite and internet are not considered basic utilities.
  • Copies of rent or residency fees receipts or lease agreements
  • Mortgage agreements
  • Copies of basic utility bills (power, natural gas, water, sewer, garbage, phone, etc.)

Transportation costs

Additional travel costs may be considered for students when it’s more economical to commute to school than to relocate.
  • The distance from your residence to your school
  • Receipts showing your basic vehicle insurance costs—Personal Liability and Property Damage (PLPD) only

Medical, dental, or optical expenses

Medical expenses that are not covered through Alberta Health Care or your student health plan may be considered.
  • Receipts and associated medical documentation

Student loan payments made by your spouse or partner

If your spouse/partner is currently repaying their own government student loan, your family living expenses can be adjusted.
  • Statement from the loan lender confirming the amount of the monthly payments

Child support or alimony paid by you or your partner

 

Copy of the court order and

  • Proof of payment for the past four months, or
  • Maintenance Enforcement records showing the child support and/or alimony payments

When legal documentation is not available, provide:

  • Proof of payment for the past 4 months, and
  • Signed statements from both parties confirming child support and/or alimony arrangements

Indigenous Services Canada 

 Provide supporting documentation for funding received from Indigenous Services Canada through:
  • Post-Secondary Student Support Program (PSSSP)
  • Métis Nation Post-Secondary Education Strategy
  • Inuit Post-Secondary Education Strategy to eligible First Nation, Métis, and Inuit students.

Making changes to your dependant’s information

Changes to

Provide

Child care costs
  • Child care receipt or statement

Costs involving dependent children over the age of 18

If child is attending regular high school:

  • Letter from the school confirming enrolment

If child has a permanent disability:

  • Medical documentation showing that your child requires special daily care

Legal guardianship status
  • Legal guardianship papers verifying custody of the additional dependant(s) you are now claiming

Costs involving a child with a disability aged 13 to 18
  • Medical documentation showing that your child requires special daily care

Escalate a request

If you’re unsatisfied with the results of your initial request, you can escalate your request.

You must submit escalated requests online through your Student Aid account along with documents related to your case. If documents are missing, your review will be delayed.

If you submit an escalated request without completing previous levels, it will be treated as a lower-level request.

Level 2: Request for Executive Review

Submit a Request for Executive Review if:

  • you are not satisfied with outcome of your Request for Reconsideration, or
  • you believe your circumstances are unique and warrant special consideration

You must submit a Request for Executive Review within 60 days of receiving a decision about your Request for Reconsideration. Your request will take Student Aid at least 90 days to process.

Level 3: Request for Ministerial Review

Submit a Request for Ministerial Review if:

  • you are not satisfied with the outcome of your Request for Executive Review, and
  • you believe your circumstances are unique and warrant special consideration

You must submit a Request for Ministerial Review within 90 days of receiving a decision about your Request for Reconsideration. Your request will take Student Aid at least 90 days to process.