2024-2025 Operational Policy & Procedures
Introduction

Student Resources

Reg.: Schedule 2, s. 8(1)(d)

Student Contribution

Canada

Alberta

Up to $3,000 per loan year, with specific amounts being calculated based on family income and family size.

For information on how family income is defined, please see the Determining Family Income section.

Students with a family income from the previous year equal to or below the Low Income Threshold listed in the Income Thresholds for Federal Eligibility table will contribute $1,500 for an 8 month study period.

Students with a family income from the previous year above the Low Income Threshold listed in the Income Thresholds for Federal Eligibility table will contribute $1,500, plus an additional 15% of income above the threshold to a maximum total contribution of $3,000 for an 8 month study period.

The expected contribution will be prorated weekly. The number of study weeks used to determine the fixed study contribution is capped at 34 2/3 weeks (i.e., 8 month study period) for each loan year; no student contribution will be calculated beyond this period.

The following students are exempt from a fixed student contribution:

  • students who self-identify as Indigenous learners
  • students with a documented disability (permanent disability (PD) or persistent or prolonged disability (PPD))
  • students who are current or former youth in government care, and
  • students with dependants

Dependants, for the purposes of fixed student contribution, are defined as:

  • individuals 18 years of age or younger residing with the student for whom the student has financial responsibility
  • individuals 19 years of age who have been continuously attending high school and reside with the post-secondary student (parent), and
  • other wholly dependent individuals, such as disabled or elderly family for whom the post-secondary student is financially responsible

Student Contribution will not be reassessed after funding has been paid.

 

$1,500 Flat Rate (on first application of loan year)

  • Single parents and recipients of Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped have a $0 flat rate student contribution.

 

Upon request for reconsideration, students may be eligible to have a $0 flat rate contribution if they:

  • are receiving Canada Pension Plan Disability Benefits, or
  • were in receipt of Income Support anytime during their pre-study period (the four months prior to beginning their current study period).

 

Spouse/Partner Contribution

Canada

Alberta

An amount equal to 10% of the family income above the Low Income Threshold listed in the Income Thresholds for Federal Eligibility table.

For information on how family income is defined, please see the Determining Family Income section.

The expected contribution will be prorated weekly. The number of study weeks used to determine the fixed spousal contribution is capped at 34 2/3 weeks (i.e., 8 month study period) for each loan year; no spousal contribution will be calculated beyond this period.

No fixed Spouse/Partner Contribution will be required if:

  • the family income is equal to or below the Low Income Threshold listed in the Income Thresholds for Federal Eligibility table
  • the student’s spouse/partner is in receipt of Employment Insurance benefits
  • the student’s spouse/partner is in receipt of Income Support
  • the student’s spouse/partner is in receipt of Canada Pension Plan Disability Benefits or Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped, or
  • the student’s spouse/partner is also a full-time student.

Spouse/Partner Contribution will not be reassessed after funding has been paid.

 

Exempt

 

Monthly Resources

Parental Contribution

Canada

Alberta

For dependent students, there is an expected weekly contribution based on parental income and family size. The weekly parental contribution is divided by the number of dependants attending post-secondary studies.

Students can refer to the Parental Contribution Calculator on the Government of Canada’s website to determine the expected amount of parental contribution.

No expected parental contribution.

Voluntary parental contributions that a student reports will be fully included as part of the resources available to the student.

Registered Education Savings Plans (RESPs) are used as a voluntary parental contribution.


Exception (Canada calculation only):

The expected federal parental contribution may be waived if parents cannot afford to contribute because they are experiencing:

  • significant financial loss (e.g., job loss, retirement, reduced income), or
  • short-term financial difficulties (e.g., drought for a farming family).

Appropriate documentation should be provided – for example, a letter from the parent(s) and a parental statement of monthly expenses and monthly net earnings.

With appropriate documentation, other exceptional parental expenses may be considered to reduce the income that is used to calculate expected parental contribution. The amount of expenses considered will not usually exceed $10,000 per year. Examples of these expenses include:

  • wedding, funeral, or legal expenses
  • house or vehicle repairs
  • tuition and fees costs for one of the parents.

A waiver of expected parental contribution will be reviewed yearly.

Student and Spouse/Partner Alimony or Child Maintenance and Care Support

Canada

Alberta

Exempt

Actual amounts received.

 If payments are irregular, students may report the average monthly amount received over the last 12 months.

Student Employment Insurance (EI Benefits)

Canada

Alberta

Exempt

Exempt

Students who qualify for Employment Insurance (EI) benefits and wish to receive EI benefits while attending school must be approved by Alberta Seniors, Community and Social Services (SCSS) before their studies begin. Some students may not be eligible to continue receiving their EI benefits while attending school. Apprentices do not need to seek approval from SCSS and are eligible to continue to receive EI benefits while attending technical training.

Visit or call the Alberta Supports Centre for information on what students will need to do to continue to receive EI benefits while in school.

To ensure coordination of funding, Alberta Student Aid will share with Alberta Seniors, Community and Social Services information on students who report EI benefits on the Application for Financial Assistance for Full-Time Post-Secondary Studies. Information shared includes: SIN, name, contact information, educational institution and program of study information, and study period start and end dates.

Student Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped (AISH)

Canada

Alberta

Exempt

Actual amounts received.

The Alberta eligibility assessment is done for any student in receipt of Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped (AISH) but with no requirement for a student contribution.

 If the Alberta eligibility calculated need results in no award or an award less than the costs of tuition, mandatory fees, and books/supplies/instruments, an Alberta Student Loan may be issued to cover those educational costs.

Student Indigenous Services Canada

Canada

Alberta

Exempt

Actual amounts received

Report funding provided by Indigenous Services Canada through the Post-Secondary Student Support Program (PSSSP), the Métis Nation Post-Secondary Education Strategy, or the Inuit Post-Secondary Education Strategy.

Student Income from Other Sources

Canada

Alberta

Exempt

Actual amounts received

Some examples of ‘other income’ to be reported include:

  • pensions,
    • Do not include income from the Canada Pension Plan (CPP) Death Benefit, CPP Disabled Contributor’s Child Benefit, and the CPP Surviving Child’s Benefit
  • rental property income, and
  • business income.

Students must report all monthly income that has not been reported elsewhere on the application and is not exempt. Refer to Resources Not to be Reported on Application section below for further information on resources that do not need to be reported.