Standard Educational Costs

Tuition and Mandatory Fees

If a student’s costs are higher than the amount provided to Alberta Student Aid by the educational institution, the student will be required to provide documentation from the institution to confirm the higher costs.

Exception:

The costs provided on the application are used for students attending educational institutions outside of Alberta.

Books, Supplies, and Instruments

If a student’s costs are higher than the amount provided to Alberta Student Aid by the educational institution, the student will be required to provide documentation from the institution to confirm the higher costs.

Exception:

The costs provided on the application are used for students attending educational institutions outside of Alberta.

Tuition and Books Award Exception

If the Alberta calculated need results in no award or an award less than the costs of tuition, mandatory fees, and books/supplies/instruments, a student may submit a request through the Review Process for a Tuition and Books Award Exception to receive Alberta student loans to cover those costs.

Computer Related Costs

This is for any computer related costs (e.g., desktip computer, laptop and Internet).

Months Funded in a Study Period

Students must provide the correct start date and end date for their period of study. The start date and end date are used to determine the months for which a student is eligible to receive loan and/or grant funding. A student’s monthly costs and resources are calculated based on the start and end dates of the study period in which the student has applied for funding.

Start month:

• If full-time studies start between the 1st and the 15th of a month, the student’s calculation will include living allowance for that month.
  
  
• If full-time studies start on or after the 16th day of a month, the student’s calculation will not include living allowance for that month.

End month:

• If full-time studies end between the 1st and the 6th of a month, the student’s calculation will not include living allowance for that month.
  
  
• If full-time studies end on or after the 7th day of a month, the student’s calculation will include living allowance for that month.

Standard Living Costs

Monthly Living Allowances

The standard monthly living allowance is intended to help cover costs for food, clothing, personal needs (e.g., health care, hygiene), transportation, rent/mortgage and utility expenses. The monthly living allowance used to determine a student’s Canada and Alberta assessment is based on the student’s household status. While the monthly living allowance is an allowable cost, students will not receive a monthly disbursement dedicated to covering all expenses.

Monthly living allowances are determined by the Canada Student Financial Assistance Program and applied to both Canada and Alberta assessments.  Living allowances are adjusted annually to account for inflation.  

The monthly living allowance tables in this manual are used for students studying in Alberta or outside of Canada. For students attending in other Canadian provinces or territories, the monthly living allowances for each province or territory, as determined by the Canada Student Financial Assistance Program are used.

The standard monthly living allowances for 2024-2025 is:

Exceptional costs will be reviewed on an individual basis.

Subject to Annual Loan Limits, exceptional expenses may be considered for students who have costs that exceed the standard monthly living allowance.

Dependent students who attend an educational institution in the same community in which their parent(s) reside are expected to live with their parents. The Single Not Paying Rent or Mortgage monthly living allowance is used in both the Canada and Alberta assessment.

If both partners in a married or common-law relationship are attending post-secondary studies and wish to apply for student loans and grants, applications should be submitted for each person. When calculated need is determined, each student will be assessed using half the appropriate monthly living allowance listed above.

Exception:

In cases where a student’s spouse or partner is attending post-secondary studies on a study visa, the spouse or partner will not be eligible for Canada or Alberta student loans and grants. Upon request, the eligible student can be assessed using a full married/common-law living allowance.

2024-2025 Monthly Living Allowance Details

Single/Separated/Divorced/Widowed Student with No Dependants

Married or Common-Law Student

Single/Separated/Divorced/Widowed Student with Dependants

Determining the Student’s Family Size

To determine monthly living allowances, a student’s family includes:

• the student
• the spouse or common-law partner of the student, and
• any dependants:

  • where the student or the spouse/common-law partner is a parent to a dependent child 18 years of age or younger who is residing with the student, and for whom the student or the spouse/common-law partner has financial responsibility. The dependant must not be attending post-secondary studies.

    • Full custody (i.e., dependant lives with one parent most of the time) and shared custody parents (i.e., dependant shares their time about equally between both parents) applying to Alberta Student Aid must list on their loan application the accurate number of dependants they are residing with and for which they have financially responsibility. The dependant(s) listed on the loan application will be included in the student’s family size.
      
      
    • Non-custodial parents, other than foster and kinship parents, applying to Alberta Student Aid should not list any dependent children on their student loan application. However, the applicant may request funding for child support and/or alimony costs. 
      
      
  • where the student or the spouse/common-law partner is a parent to a 19-year old dependent child residing with the student and for whom the student or the spouse/common-law partner has financial responsibility, and the 19 year old dependent child has been continuously attending high school.
    • Proof of address and high school enrollment for the 19-year old dependent child may be requested.
      
      
  • other wholly dependent individuals, including disabled or elderly family, and kinship or foster children, for whom the post-secondary student or the spouse/common-law partner has financial responsibility.
    • The dependent person must reside in Canada and must reside with the student or in a health care facility.
    • The student or spouse/common law partner must have claimed the dependent person for tax purposes and the Canada Revenue Agency must have accepted the person as being wholly dependent upon the student or spouse/common law partner.
    • The student must provide documentation.

For the purposes of verifying financial responsibility for any dependant(s) listed on the loan application, Alberta Student Aid may request:

• supporting documentation showing living and custody arrangements (e.g., court orders, custody or written agreements),
• a copy of a letter from Canada Revenue Agency showing the student’s or the spouse/common law partner’s eligibility for child benefits (e.g., Canada child benefit (CCB), Alberta child and family benefit (ACFB)) or tax credits (e.g., disability tax credit (DTC)) for the dependant(s), and/or
• a letter from a third-party professional (e.g., social worker, psychologist, family physician, pediatrician, etc.) corroborating the circumstances.

Common-Law Definition

Reg.: Schedule 2, s. 1(1)(c)

Common-law partner means an individual who is not married to the student but who:

• has lived with that student in a conjugal relationship continuously for the past 12 months, or
• the student has declared to have a status equivalent to that of the student’s common-law partner under any other law of Alberta or Canada, or
• is living with that student in a conjugal relationship, where there are one or more children of the relationship by birth or adoption.

Spouse or Partner that Lives Outside Canada

Reg.: Schedule 2, s. 8(2)

If a student has a spouse or partner that is living outside of Canada, the student must still apply as a married or common-law student. The spouse or partner should sign the Consent and Declaration (C&D) form if possible. If the spouse or partner is unable to sign the C&D form, the student must provide a letter explaining that the spouse or partner lives outside of Canada and is unable to sign the form.

Consideration for Additional Rent/Mortgage and Utility Costs

Subject to Annual Loan Limits, consideration may be given to students who have rent and utility costs or mortgage, property tax, home insurance and utility costs that exceed the Rent/Mortgage and Utilities component of the Alberta Student Aid monthly standard living allowance.

Rent and Utilities

The additional amount allowed will not usually exceed the Rent/Mortgage and Utilities component of the monthly living allowance by more than $400/month. Of this $400, up to $75 may be allowed for phone costs (receipts not required). If the student received additional funding for rent last year and maintains the same residence, Alberta Student Aid can allow the same amount this year without requiring documentation.

Documentation required, as applicable:

• either rent receipts, copy of lease agreement, copy of last month’s cancelled cheque, letter from the landlord, and/or
• copies of recent basic utilities bills (e.g. power, natural gas, water, sewer, garbage), and/or
  • students who have moved may request an estimate from utility companies based on the previous year’s consumption
  • cable, satellite and internet are not considered basic utilities.
• letter of explanation for students who pay rent to their parents and for students with disabilities who require specialized housing.

Mortgage and Utilities

The additional amount allowed will not usually exceed the Rent/Mortgage and Utilities component of the monthly living allowance by more than $600/month. Of this $600, up to $75 may be allowed for phone costs (receipts not required). If the student received additional funding for mortgage funding last year and maintains the same residence, Alberta Student Aid can allow the same amount this year without requiring documentation.

Documentation required:

• copy of mortgage statement, documentation of condo fees (if applicable), property tax assessment and/or home insurance, and/or
• copies of recent basic utilities bills (e.g., power, natural gas, water, sewer, garbage).
  • students who have moved may request an estimate from utility companies based on the previous year’s consumption.
  • cable, satellite, and internet are not considered basic utilities.

Second Residence

Subject to Annual Loan Limits, a student and spouse/partner who maintain separate residences due to the student’s post-secondary studies can be allowed additional funding to cover the additional housing costs, over and above the married/common-law living allowance. This amount is the equivalent of the Rent/Mortgage and Utilities component of the Single/Separated/Divorced/Widowed with No Dependants and Paying Rent or Mortgage living allowance.

Documentation showing that both residences are being maintained is required.

Documentation required:

• copy of mortgage statement, and/or
• either rent receipts, copy of lease agreement, copy of last month’s cancelled cheque or letter from the landlord.

Monthly Child Care Costs

Many students qualify for the Child Care Subsidy Program. For more information or to apply, visit:

• Alberta Child Care Subsidy

When completing the Application for Financial Assistance for Full-Time Post-Secondary Studies or Application for Financial Assistance for Part-Time Post-Secondary Studies, students should request the amount they actually pay (parent portion after subsidy or full amount in the case where student is not eligible for subsidy).

Child care costs are generally only allowed for children under the age of 12. Costs can be considered for dependants 12 years of age or older who have a permanent disability if documentation of care required is provided.

Additional Transportation Costs

Exception:

Subject to Annual Loan Limits, additional transportation costs may also be allowed for students:

• when it is more economical to commute to school than to relocate
• who cannot use public transportation (e.g., due to coordinating school and child care, due to a disability, or because student is taking night classes)
• with temporary transportation needs (e.g., students doing a practicum), or
• with higher-than-average bus pass costs.

Transportation costs will not typically exceed the Rent/Mortgage and Utilities component of the living allowance for a Single/Separated/Divorced/Widowed student with No Dependants Paying Rent or Mortgage. However, with documentation, Alberta Student Aid may allow additional transportation costs up to:

• $0.25 per kilometer traveled, and
• cost of basic Personal Liability/Property Damage vehicle insurance.

Out-of-Country Travel

Child Support or Alimony

Spouse/Partner Student Loan Payments

Health-Related Costs

Subject to Annual Loan Limits, Alberta Student Aid can consider allowing funding for health-related costs. Students should first access benefits and subsidies that are offered by various government programs (e.g. Alberta Adult Health Benefit, Premium Subsidy Program, and Alberta Child Health Benefit).

Medical Costs

Actual monthly medical costs for the student, spouse/partner and dependants that are not covered by insurance can be considered. This includes monthly insurance premiums (e.g. Blue Cross) and patient portion of receipts (normally 30% of total cost).

Actual yearly medical costs for student, spouse/partner, and dependants can be considered. This is intended for one-time costs that are not covered by insurance. Medical costs must be incurred during the study period.

For monthly or yearly medical costs, documentation of the costs is required.

Dental Costs

Actual costs for mandatory dental work for the student, spouse/partner and dependants can be considered. This is only for dental work that is not covered under other dental plans (e.g. spouse/partner’s or school insurance plan). Dental work must be completed during the study period.

Alberta Student Aid requires an explanation of the dental work from the dentist and documentation of the costs.

Optical Costs

Actual costs for optical expenses for the student, spouse/partner and dependants can be considered. This is only for optical expenses that are not covered by insurance. Eye exams are usually covered by medical insurance.

The annual amount allowed will not exceed $300. Optical costs must be incurred during the study period.

Alberta Student Aid requires receipts or estimates/quotes.

Other Expenses

Subject to Annual Loan Limits, consideration may be given for necessary expenses not mentioned in this manual. An explanation and appropriate documentation of costs should be provided by the student.

Examples of Allowable Expenses

• Can allow up to $50 per month for special diets, food allergies, supplements, etc. if required for medical reasons. If more than $50 per month is required, documentation must be provided.
• Can consider fees over and above normal programs fees, if the cost is noted in educational institution calendar
  
  
• Up to $500 for one-time car repair expenses, if public transportation is not an option.

Examples of Non-Allowable Expenses

• credit card payments
• car loan payments
• utility bill payments past-due
• income tax payments
• funding to cover tickets for fines or offences
• life insurance
• extracurricular activities for dependants
• veterinary costs (unless for an assistive pet)
• payment of back interest on a defaulted student loan
• overpayments from other government departments/agencies
• fees for non-related school clubs and associations
• fertility drugs or treatments
• skin lightening treatments
• tanning
• bail costs
• child support arrears
• exams or fees that are not listed in the school calendar (e.g., LSAT, GMAT, CaRMS)
• replacement of lost or stolen cash
• moving expenses/hookup fees if student is moving within the same community
  • Exception: Moving costs may be considered for emergency relocations (e.g., fire, escaping an abusive situation).
• foreign exchange costs
• interest and related financing costs