Official Guidelines Updated: March 2026
Key Facts for 2025–2026:
Alberta Student Loans work alongside Canada Student Loans — one application through Alberta Student Aid is all you need to be considered for both. Most students can receive up to $8,500 per semester in combined Alberta and Canada student loans. Unlike Canada Student Loans, Alberta loans carry interest — but repayment doesn’t begin until 12 months after you finish your studies.
Alberta Student Loans are provincial loans that help eligible Albertans cover the cost of post-secondary education — tuition, books, fees, and living expenses. They work in close partnership with Canada Student Loans through a single application, so most students receive a combined package of federal and provincial funding at once.
Unlike grants, loans must be repaid — but Alberta Student Loans are interest-free while you are in school, and you have a 12-month grace period after your studies end before repayment begins.
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for Alberta Student Loans, you must meet the following requirements:
- Be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or protected person who is a resident of Alberta. You are considered an Alberta resident if you have lived in the province for at least 12 consecutive months while not being a full-time post-secondary student, or if at least one of your parents resides in Alberta. Students on a study permit are not eligible.
- Be enrolled full-time — generally at least 60% of a full course load per semester. Students with a documented disability may qualify at 40% of a full course load. Registered Alberta apprentices enrolled in eligible classroom instruction programs are also eligible.
- Demonstrate financial need — your loan amount is calculated as the difference between your allowable education and living costs and the resources you and your family are expected to contribute.
- Be enrolled in an eligible program at a designated institution. Programs must lead to a post-secondary certificate, diploma, or degree credential and be at least 12 weeks in total length.
- Be in good standing on any previous Alberta or Canada student loans.
- Maintain satisfactory academic progress. Students who withdraw from two funded study periods will lose eligibility for funding for 18 months from the date of their second withdrawal.
Pro Tip:
When you submit your Alberta Student Aid application, you are automatically considered for both Alberta Student Loans and Canada Student Loans — as well as all applicable grants — at the same time. You will receive two separate loan amounts (one from each government), which are repaid through two separate accounts.
How Much Can You Get?
Your loan amount is based on your assessed financial need, your program type, and the annual and lifetime loan limits that apply. The majority of students can receive up to $8,500 per semester in combined Alberta and Canada student loans.
The table below shows the annual and lifetime loan limits for Alberta Student Loans by program type. These represent the maximum combined Alberta plus Canada student loans you can have outstanding at any one time.
| Program | Annual Limit (1 semester) | Annual Limit (2 semesters) | Annual Limit (3 semesters) | Lifetime Limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | $7,500 | $15,000 | $22,500 | $85,000 |
| Certificate | $7,500 | $15,000 | $22,500 | $75,000 |
| Diploma | $7,500 | $15,000 | $22,500 | $75,000 |
| Journeyman Certificate | $7,500 | $15,000 | $22,500 | $75,000 |
| Dental Hygiene | $11,250 | $22,500 | $30,000 | $85,000 |
| Pharmacy | $11,250 | $22,500 | $30,000 | $100,000 |
| Graduate Studies | $11,250 | $22,500 | $30,000 | $100,000 |
| Law | $11,250 | $22,500 | $30,000 | $125,000 |
| Masters of Business Administration | $11,250 | $22,500 | $30,000 | $125,000 |
| Doctoral Studies | $11,250 | $22,500 | $30,000 | $125,000 |
| Chiropractic Medicine | $11,250 | $22,500 | $37,500 | $175,000 |
| Dentistry | $11,250 | $22,500 | $37,500 | $175,000 |
| Optometry | $11,250 | $22,500 | $37,500 | $175,000 |
| Veterinary Medicine | $11,250 | $22,500 | $37,500 | $175,000 |
Note: The Lifetime Loan Limit is the maximum combined Alberta and Canada student loan balance you can have outstanding at one time. If you enter a graduate program after completing an undergraduate degree, the limits for both programs are combined. If you repay part of your loan, you may be eligible to borrow again up to your limit.
How to Apply
Applying for Alberta Student Loans works the same way as applying for Alberta Student Aid generally — it is all one process. Before you begin, gather the following information: your personal details (name, address, phone number, email, date of birth), your Social Insurance Number, your Alberta Student Number if you have one, and your family’s income details from the most recent tax year (Line 15000 of your income tax return, or an expected income estimate if your current year income will be lower). You will also need your program details including start and end dates and duration, and a list of any other financial support you expect to receive from family, awards, or other sources.
All students — full-time and part-time — apply online through Alberta Student Aid using a verified Alberta.ca Account. Identity verification is part of the account setup process. Once verified, you can complete and submit your application. Alberta Student Aid recommends applying as early as possible — processing times may exceed 45 days during peak periods. Applications are valid for one academic year; a new application is required if your study period exceeds 12 months or if you have a break in studies of 30 calendar days or more.
Interest and Repayment
Alberta Student Loans and Canada Student Loans have different interest and repayment rules — it is important to understand both:
| Feature | Alberta Student Loan | Canada Student Loan |
|---|---|---|
| Interest while studying | None — interest-free while in school | None — permanently interest-free |
| Grace / non-repayment period | 12 months after studies end (interest-free) | 6 months after studies end |
| Interest rate in repayment | Floating: CIBC prime rate. Fixed: CIBC prime rate on date of request (one-time switch) | No interest — permanently eliminated April 1, 2023 |
| Repayment managed through | MyLoan (Alberta Student Aid) | National Student Loans Service Centre (NSLSC) |
| Tax credit on interest paid | 17% federal tax credit on interest paid | No interest to claim |
Repayment of your Alberta Student Loan begins on the first day of the 13th month after your period of study ends. The 12 months before that is your grace period — no payments are required and no interest accrues. You can choose to start making payments voluntarily during this period to reduce your overall balance.
The repayment term for your Alberta Student Loan is based on the outstanding balance when repayment begins and is amortized over a set period. You can request to change your repayment terms at any time through your MyLoan account.
Important:
Unlike Canada Student Loans — which are permanently interest-free — Alberta Student Loans do carry interest once repayment begins. By default, the interest rate is the floating CIBC prime rate. You can make a one-time request to switch to a fixed rate. Plan your repayment accordingly.
Repayment Assistance
If you are struggling to repay your loans after graduation, the Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP) is available for both Alberta and Canada Student Loans. RAP can reduce your monthly payments to an affordable amount — or to zero — based on your income and family size. A separate RAP for Borrowers with Disabilities (RAP-D) is available for students with a permanent, persistent, or prolonged disability.
Defaulting on your loans (missing payments for 270+ days) has serious consequences, including a lower credit score, loss of eligibility for future student funding, and potential collection action by the government. Contact Alberta Student Aid or the NSLSC promptly if you are having difficulty making payments.
Other Financial Aid Options
Alberta Student Loans work best as part of a broader funding package. When you apply, you are automatically assessed for:
- Alberta Student Grant for Full-Time Students — up to $425/month in non-repayable provincial funding
- Canada Student Grants — non-repayable federal funding that reduces how much you need to borrow
- Canada Student Loans — permanently interest-free federal loans assessed through the same application
- Canada Student Bursaries — non-repayable federal funding for eligible Indigenous students
Ready to find a program? Explore eligible schools today.
