Alberta Part-Time Grant

Have you finally decided to pursue higher education courses but only have so much time or resources to spare? While the time constraints can be addressed by opting for a part-time course, the monetary aspect may still seem daunting. But fret not, as there’s a great solution in store for you, especially if you’re planning to study part-time in Alberta.

The province of Alberta has devised some excellent student aid programs, with some of them specifically dedicated as resources for part-time students. Now we will uncover one of the important programs from Alberta’s roster – the Alberta Part-Time Grant. From its eligibility rules to how much amount you can receive through the grant, let’s dive right into learning all about this program.

Eligibility Criteria

Before jumping into all the different eligibility criteria, it is important to understand what constitutes a part-time course or what makes you a part-time student.

• If you are pursuing a certificate, diploma, undergraduate or graduate program at a designated post-secondary institutions by taking less than sixty percent of the semester’s course load, or if you have a disability and are taking less than forty percent of the semester’s course load, then you are considered a part-time student. However, the amount of aid you receive won’t determine your curriculum and it will ultimately be the call of the college or university.

• The applicant must be a citizen or permanent resident of Canada, as well as a resident of Alberta and must stay in the province during the study tenure. If you are not an Alberta resident, you may still be eligible for the grant if you have a protected person status, under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.

• To receive this grant from Alberta, you must be enrolled in a course that does not receive the Canada Student Grant for Part-Time Studies. If you’ve received federal funding for previous semesters but are not eligible for it in the next semester, then you could qualify for this grant.

• Also, this goes without saying – you must pursue your certificate, diploma, undergraduate or graduate programs at a designated post-secondary institution in the province of Alberta.

• If you received any loan or aid from the province or the federal government, then you must ensure that you are in good standing with the authorities regarding the repayment.

• The grant is calculated based on financial need, so to qualify, your family’s annual income must fall below the maximum income threshold set by the Alberta government.

• For those enrolled in multiple part-time courses, you can opt for full-time funding.

• Finally, if you had taken up any part-time courses in the past which were funded, you must have completed them.

Income Threshold for Eligibility

As discussed above, income is a major criterion that will decide the grant money you’ll receive. Explore this section to learn whether you’re likely to get financial help depending on your family size.

Family of One Person:

For qualifying, the annual income should not exceed a maximum of $48,547.

Family of Two People:

To be considered eligible for the grant, the annual income should not cross $67,966.

Family of Three People:

For a family of three, the annual income must not exceed $81,464 to receive the grant.

Family of Four People:

The family income must not go beyond $91,032 to be considered eligible.

Family of Five People:

An annual income under $98,465 is qualified to receive the grant.

Family of Six People:

If you are a large family of six, the annual income should not exceed $104,532.

Family of Seven People:

Family income should not be beyond $109,663 annually to be considered eligible.

How to Apply

Now that the eligibility factors are taken care of, here’s how you can apply for the grant. This is a manual process unlike its full-time counterpart and will require a plethora of information from your end, such as name, date of birth, phone number, email address, address of residence, and gender, among others. With the basics out of the way, you will now need to flesh out the income details of your family, your Social Insurance Number, Alberta Student Number, and other financial aid you may receive from either other programs or your family/guardian. Finally, write down the details regarding your course, such as its start date, end date, and your student id number (if you already have it).

As mentioned above, the process is not digitized, and all this information must be filled in the application form. When done, you must sign your name and submit it by mail. However, there are a few things you should remember before submission. Firstly, Alberta Student Aid’s loan year spans from August 1st to July 31st. Secondly, the maximum time limit of an application is 12 months, after which it has to be renewed. Third, if multiple courses are being undertaken in different institutions, then you will have to follow a separate application procedure for each course. Finally, if you decide to take a break from your studies for more than a month, then the application will need to be resubmitted.

How Much Can You Get

As stated earlier on the page, the part-time grant is mainly determined by financial need. To calculate this, your income or your family’s income is taken into consideration, along with the size of your family, including your spouse. Next, the cost of pursuing your part-time course is determined, which includes factors like tuition and fees, cost of books, supplies, instruments, transportation costs, childcare expenses, and any costs related to disability, if present. 

If you qualify for the grant, then you will receive $600 per semester that will mainly take care of basic expenses such as tuition and book fees, as well as supplies. The maximum amount one can receive is $1,800 per academic year.

Other Financial Aid

In case this part-time grant from the province of Alberta is not the right fit for you, consider other options like Alberta Student Grant for Full-Time Students, Alberta Student Grant for Students with Permanent Disability, Alberta Student Loans, and Alberta Student Scholarships. One thing’s for sure – with such a well-defined student aid plan, worrying about college expenses should hopefully never hold you back.