2023-2024 Operational Policy & Procedures
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Chapter 7:
Designation for Student Loans and Grants- Introduction to Designation
- Canada and Alberta Acts and Regulations
- General Program Designation Requirements
- Accelerated Programs
- Pan-Canadian Designation Policy Framework
- Obtaining Designation Status
- Requirements for Alberta Educational Institutions and Programs
- Alberta Private Career Colleges (PCCs)
- Change of Ownership
- Accredited Indigenous Post-Secondary Institutions in Alberta
- Accredited Divinity Programs
- Requirements for Programs at Educational Institutions Outside of Alberta
- Additional Requirements for Programs Delivered Online
- Maintaining Designation Status
- De-designation
- Contact Information – Designation Process and Policy Inquiries
Introduction to Designation
Student Financial Assistance Act, s. 8 Reg.: Schedule 2, s. 9
Designation is a status assigned to an approved post-secondary program that allows eligible students to apply for Canada and Alberta student loans and grants for that specific program. The designation status is assigned when an eligible program has met all required Canada and Alberta designation criteria as referenced in the policies that follow in this chapter. Designation status is not an endorsement of institution or program quality, and institutions cannot advertise their designation status for recruitment purposes.
‘Program’ and ‘specialization’ terminology is used interchangeably throughout this chapter.
- Program refers to a program of study such as ‘Bachelor of Science'.
- Specialization is a major or specific area of study under that program; thus, the specialization of the program ‘Bachelor of Science’ might be ‘Biology’. Not all programs or educational institutions will have programs with specializations; however, specializations are more commonly seen at public post-secondary institutions.
Where a program has more than one specialization, the program designation requirements apply at the specialization level.