Education and Living Costs
Helping you cover basic learning and living costs
Based on your own financial resources, even if you apply, you may not be eligible for student aid. Student aid is meant to supplement, not replace, your own resources. The amount of Student Aid you are eligible to receive may not cover all your costs.
When you apply, Student Aid uses your education and living costs to assess how much funding you can receive. There are limits to the amount of funding you can receive each year, and a limit to the amount you can receive in your lifetime.
For more information about Student Aid loan limits, go to:
Education Costs
Alberta Student Aid provides funding to help you pay for your basic educational costs, including your tuition, mandatory fees, and books and supplies. When you apply online, these costs are automatically included in your application. If you are applying on paper, talk to your post-secondary institution to determine what costs and fees you are expected to pay.
Living Costs
When you apply, Alberta Student Aid will automatically assess your living costs using a standard monthly budget that helps us determine how much student aid you may qualify for. It is important to understand that Student Aid does not provide a monthly payment. These amounts are based on meeting the basic costs of living in Alberta.
It is important to understand that Student Aid does not provide a monthly payment and, based on your resources, you many not be eligible to receive the full amount.
2020-21 Monthly Living Allowance
| Household Status | Monthly Total (CAD$) | |
| No dependants | Single, not paying rent or mortgage | 585 |
| Single, paying rent or mortgage | 1,220 | |
| Married/Common Law | 2,355 | |
| With dependants | Single - 1 dependant | 2,155 |
| Single - 2 dependants | 2,797 | |
| Single - 3 dependants | 3,439 | |
| Married/Common Law - 1 dependant | 2,997 | |
| Married/Common Law - 2 dependants | 3,639 | |
| Married/Common Law - 3 dependants | 4,281 | |
| Each additional dependant add | 642 |
Separated/Divorced/Widowed with no dependants receive the same monthly living allowances as single students no dependants.
Dependants are children who are living with you and/or your spouse/partner for whom you are legally responsible, and also includes individuals who are wholly dependent on you as reported on your tax return.
Breakdown of Monthly Living Allowance
Monthly Living Allowance for a Single Student - no rent/mortgage
| Living Cost | Amount (CAD$) |
| Accommodations (rent, residence fees, mortgage, utilities) | 0 |
| Food | 228 |
| Miscellaneous (Personal & health care) | 281 |
| Local Public Transportation | 76 |
| Total | 585 |
Monthly Living Allowance for a Single Student - with rent/mortgage or residence fees
| Living Cost | Amount (CAD$) |
| Accommodations (rent, residence fees, mortgage, utilities) | 500 |
| Food | 293 |
| Miscellaneous (Personal & health care) | 351 |
| Local Public Transportation | 76 |
| Total | 1,220 |
Request for Reconsideration of Higher Costs
If your costs are higher than the amounts in the tables above, you can submit a Request for Review. You may be eligible for additional funding. To learn more about submitting a Request for Reconsideration, go to:
Childcare Costs
Student Aid will consider childcare costs for dependents under the age of 12.
You may be eligible for:
- up to $724 per month per child if you do not provide receipts.
- up to $1,200 per month per child if you provide receipts.
You may also qualify for the Alberta Child Care Subsidy Program.
Medical Coverage for Dependents
If you are a post-secondary student with dependents, you may be eligible for coverage of medical, optical, dental and ambulance services through the Alberta Child Health Benefits Program.
