Official Guidelines Updated: March 2026
Important Update for 2026:
For the 2025–26 academic year, the Alberta Part-Time Grant is no longer available. Part-time students may still be considered for eligible federal part-time loans and grants through Alberta Student Aid.
Dear Albertans, what is stopping you from going after your education aspirations? Paying for post-secondary education from a premier institute is no small task.
However, don’t let finances hold you back. The province of Alberta offers a range of grants, loans, scholarships, and awards to help residents pursue their education without added financial stress.
If you are a resident of this province, some of the key funding options available to you include Alberta Student Aid, the Alberta Student Grant for Full-Time Students, and scholarship programs such as the Alexander Rutherford Scholarship, Alberta Citizenship Award, and Belcourt Brosseau Métis Awards. Apart from these, there are also federal funding options available to you.
Let’s get into the finer details of Alberta’s provincial funding programs.
What Kind of Funding Is Available?
Students in Alberta may be able to access several different types of financial support depending on their income, study status, and personal circumstances.
- Student loans to help cover tuition, books, and living costs
- Grants that do not need to be repaid if you remain eligible
- Scholarships and awards based on academic achievement, leadership, or community involvement
- Targeted supports for students with disabilities and eligible Indigenous learners
In many cases, Alberta Student Aid is the main starting point for provincial and federal post-secondary funding.
Pro Tip:
If you are applying through Alberta Student Aid, review both loan and grant options carefully. One application can open the door to multiple types of funding, not just loans.
Alberta Student Aid
Alberta Student Aid is the province’s main student financial assistance system. It helps eligible students access loans, grants, scholarships, and awards for full-time and part-time post-secondary studies.
For many students, Alberta Student Aid is the main place to begin because it connects you to both provincial and federal funding. To qualify, students generally need to meet academic and residency requirements, demonstrate financial need, and be enrolled in an eligible program at a designated school.
This makes Alberta Student Aid the main starting point for Albertans who want to explore what provincial and federal support may be available to them.
Who Can Apply?
To qualify for Alberta Student Aid, you generally must meet a few basic requirements:
- Be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or protected person
- Be considered a resident of Alberta
- Be enrolled in an eligible post-secondary program at a designated school
- Demonstrate financial need for student aid
- Maintain academic progress and remain in good standing on previous student loans
Eligibility can vary depending on whether you are studying full-time or part-time, so it is worth reviewing your situation carefully before you apply.
Alberta Student Grant for Full-Time Students
This grant is designed for students from low-income families who are enrolled in eligible full-time post-secondary studies in Alberta. Unlike a loan, this funding does not need to be repaid as long as you remain eligible.
The amount of the grant is based on family income and family size. Alberta Student Aid says the current maximum is $425 per month, up to an annual maximum of $5,100 per year.
Alberta Part-Time Grant
Part-time students have long looked to this program for support while balancing school with work, family responsibilities, or other commitments.
At the moment, however, the Alberta Part-Time Grant is no longer available for the 2025–26 academic year. Even so, part-time students may still be considered for eligible federal part-time loans and grants through Alberta Student Aid, so it is still worth reviewing your funding options before ruling anything out.
Important Update:
Although the Alberta Part-Time Grant is not available for 2025–26, part-time students may still be eligible for federal part-time loans and grants through Alberta Student Aid.
Alberta Grant for Students with Disabilities
Students with documented disabilities may also qualify for extra support through Alberta Student Aid. This funding is meant to help with exceptional education-related costs such as assistive services, specialized equipment, or transportation related to a disability.
The Alberta Grant for Students with Disabilities may provide up to $3,000 per loan year for eligible students with a documented disability.
Alberta Student Loans
Alberta student loans help full-time students cover tuition, books, and living expenses while they are in school. These loans are typically delivered alongside federal student loan funding through one overall student aid process.
After school, students move into repayment after the standard non-repayment period. Alberta and Canada student aid remain closely integrated, making Alberta Student Aid the main funding route for many full-time learners.
Alberta Student Scholarships
Alberta also offers scholarship and award opportunities for students who demonstrate academic achievement, leadership, citizenship, or community involvement. These can be a valuable complement to grants and loans.
Here are some of the best-known Alberta scholarship options:
Alexander Rutherford Scholarship
This scholarship rewards strong academic achievement and helps students transition from high school into full-time post-secondary studies.
The current Alberta Student Aid scholarship listing shows a value of $2,500 for eligible applicants.
Alberta Citizenship Award
This award recognizes students who have demonstrated strong citizenship, leadership, and service in their communities.
If you have made a meaningful impact through volunteerism or leadership, this is one of the Alberta awards worth exploring further.
Belcourt Brosseau Métis Awards
This award is intended to help Métis Albertans pursue post-secondary education and skills development.
According to Alberta Student Aid, the value currently ranges between $2,000 and $10,000 for eligible Alberta Métis citizens.
Pro Tip:
Don’t stop at loans and grants. Alberta also has scholarships and awards tied to grades, leadership, community service, and Indigenous identity, so it pays to look beyond the standard student aid application.
Other Financial Aid Options
In addition to provincial funding, Alberta students may also qualify for federal programs such as Canada Student Grants, Canada Student Loans, Federal Student Scholarships, and Federal Student Bursaries.
Take the time to explore your options, compare schools, and speak with an advisor if you are unsure where to begin. The right mix of loans, grants, scholarships, and awards can make post-secondary education much more manageable.
Ready to explore your next step? Find schools today!
