Living Allowances

There is a basic budget for monthly living allowances used by Alberta Student Aid to assess your application. If your monthly costs are higher than these amounts, tell us about your special circumstances. You may be asked to provide documentation.

You can upload your documentation in your Alberta Student Aid account. Login and select Upload Documents.

Basic monthly living allowance

Basic Monthly Living Allowances

for 2023-2024

 

Your household status

Monthly Total (CAD$)

No dependants*

Single and not paying rent or residence fees or mortgage

$642

Single and paying rent, residence fees or mortgage

$1,340

Married/Common law

$2,590

With dependants**

Single: 1 dependant

$2,365

Single: 2 dependants

$3,069

Single: 3 dependants

$3,773

Married/Common Law: 1 dependant

$3,294

Married/Common Law: 2 dependants

$3,998

Married/Common Law: 3 dependants

$4,702

Each additional dependant add

$740

*Separated/Divorced/Widowed with no dependants receive the same monthly living allowance as single student with no dependants.

**Dependants means those children who are living with you and for whom you and/or your spouse/partner are financially responsible and also includes individuals who are wholly dependent on you as reported on your tax return.

Child-care costs

Monthly child-care costs for children under 12 years of age

  • Allowable child-care cost of up to $724 per month per child without receipts.
  • Actual child-care costs may be considered with receipts up to a maximum of $1,200 per month per child.

Dependants Over 12 Years of Age

Child-care costs can also be considered for dependants over 12 years of age who have a permanent disability when you provide documentation of care required.

Extra or higher costs

We may consider higher or extra costs such as:

  • Basic Utilities
    Submit copies of recent basic utilities, for example: power, natural gas, water, telephone, sewer, and garbage. Cable, satellite, and internet are not considered basic utilities.

  • Child Support and/or Alimony Payments
    In order for child support and/or alimony payments to be considered, students must provide a copy of the Court Order and:
    • proof of payment for the past four months, or
    • a copy of Maintenance Enforcement records showing the child support and/or alimony payments.

If no legal documentation is available, the student can provide proof of payment and signed statements from both parties detailing child support and/or alimony arrangements.

  • Rent or Mortgage
    Submit a copy of the rent/residence fees or mortgage agreement.

  • Spouse’s/Partner’s Student Loan Payments
    Submit proof of payment.

  • Travel
    For students who cannot access public transit, submit proof of kilometres travelled per day and Personal Liability/Property Damage vehicle insurance documents.