Part-Time Student Financial Aid in Alberta

What is Part-Time Student Aid?

Part-time student aid in Alberta refers to financial assistance available to students who are enrolled in less than 60% of a full-time course load (or less than 40% if you have a disability). This aid is administered by Alberta Student Aid, which distributes federal funding on behalf of the Government of Canada.

Since August 1, 2025, Alberta Student Aid no longer provides provincial loans or grants to part-time students. However, federal funding remains available through the Part-Time Canada Student Loan and several part-time grants. This page focuses on those federal options.

The maximum loan amount is $10,000 in total. The Canada Student Grant for Part-Time Studies is up to $2,520 per year. The grant for students with dependants is up to $56 per week (1-2 dependants) or $84 per week (3+). The disability grant is $2,800 per year, and the services and equipment grant is up to $20,000 per year. These are maximums; your actual amount depends on your assessed need.

• Part-time status: less than 60% of a full course load (40% for students with disabilities).
• Administered by Alberta Student Aid, but funded by the federal government.
• You can apply for up to 12 months of funding on a single application.

Sources: Alberta Student Aid

Eligibility for Part-Time Aid

To receive part-time aid, you must meet general eligibility criteria and specific program requirements. You need to be enrolled in a program that is designated for federal part-time funding and be taking at least 20% of a full course load. Your family income must be below the applicable income threshold.

You must also pass your courses to continue receiving aid; there is no maximum program length, but you need to maintain satisfactory academic progress. If you have a break in studies of 30 calendar days or more, you must submit a new application.

• Enrolled in at least 20% of a full course load.
• Program must be designated for federal part-time funding.
• Family income must be below the threshold (varies by family size and province).
• Must meet residency and citizenship requirements (e.g., Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or protected person).
• Must pass courses to keep receiving aid.

Sources: Alberta Student Aid

Part-Time Canada Student Loan

The Part-Time Canada Student Loan is a federal loan designed to help cover education and living costs for part-time students. You can borrow up to $10,000 in total. Interest is charged during your studies and repayment begins after you finish, with the same repayment assistance programs available as for full-time loans.

To be eligible, you must be enrolled in at least 20% of a full course load and meet the income requirement. The loan amount is determined by your assessed need, which considers your educational costs and financial resources.

Yes, you can receive both a Part-Time Canada Student Loan and one or more part-time grants, as long as you meet the eligibility requirements for each. For example, you can receive the Canada Student Grant for Part-Time Studies even if you do not take out a loan.

• Maximum outstanding balance: $10,000.
• Interest applies during study period.
• Repayment starts when you leave school or drop below part-time status.
• Repayment assistance may be available if you have difficulty repaying.

Sources: Alberta Student Aid

Part-Time Grants

Grants are non-repayable awards. As a part-time student, you may be eligible for the Canada Student Grant for Part-Time Studies, regardless of whether you also receive a loan. This grant provides up to $2,520 per loan year, not exceeding your assessed need.

If you have dependants, you may qualify for the Canada Student Grant for Part-Time Students with Dependants, which provides up to $56 per week for one or two dependants, and up to $84 per week for three or more dependants.

Students with a permanent or persistent/prolonged disability can receive the Canada Student Grant for Students with Disabilities ($2,800 per loan year) and the Canada Student Grant for Services and Equipment - Students with Disabilities (up to $20,000 per loan year, to cover the cost of services or equipment).

• Canada Student Grant for Part-Time Studies: up to $2,520 per year.
• Canada Student Grant for Part-Time Students with Dependants: up to $56/week (1-2 dependants) or $84/week (3+ dependants).
• Canada Student Grant for Students with Disabilities: $2,800 per year.
• Canada Student Grant for Services and Equipment - Students with Disabilities: up to $20,000 per year (must be used for approved services/equipment).

Sources: Alberta Student Aid

Funding Amounts

Funding amounts are based on your assessed need, which is the difference between your educational costs (such as tuition, books, and living expenses) and the resources available to you (such as income, savings, and other funding). The maximum amounts for part-time aid are set by the federal government and are not guaranteed. You may not receive the full maximum if your need is lower.

The following table summarizes the maximum amounts for the 2026-2027 loan year. These figures are subject to change annually.

Sources: Alberta Student Aid

How to Apply for Part-Time Aid

You apply for part-time aid using a paper application form, which you can download from the Alberta Student Aid website. The form requires original ink signatures from you and, if applicable, your spouse or partner. Your educational institution must complete a section to confirm your enrollment and program details.

You can apply for a maximum of 12 months of funding on a single application. If you have a break in studies of 30 days or longer, you must submit a new application for the next period.

It is recommended that you create a verified Alberta.ca Account. This allows you to securely receive and upload personal information related to your loans and grants, and may speed up the process.

Yes, you must be enrolled in at least 20% of a full-course load to be eligible for the Part-Time Canada Student Loan. For grants, the same minimum applies. Students with disabilities may have a lower threshold for full-time status, but the minimum for part-time aid is 20%.

• Download the application from Alberta Student Aid's Applications and Forms page.
• Complete all sections and obtain required signatures (applicant, spouse/partner if applicable, and educational institution).
• Submit the application by mail or in person, as directed.
• Apply for up to 12 months of funding at a time.
• If you have a break of 30+ days, you must reapply.
• Create a verified Alberta.ca Account to receive and upload documents securely.

Sources: Alberta Student Aid

Repayment for Part-Time Borrowers

Repayment of your Part-Time Canada Student Loan begins after you finish your studies or drop below the part-time enrollment threshold. You will be required to make monthly payments, and interest will be charged at the prescribed rate. However, you may be eligible for the Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP), which can reduce your payments to an affordable level based on your income and family size.

If you cannot make your payments due to financial hardship, you should contact the National Student Loans Service Centre to discuss your options. Making payments on time is important to maintain a good credit history.

• Repayment starts after you leave full-time or part-time studies.
• Interest accrues during repayment.
• Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP) may be available.
• Contact the National Student Loans Service Centre for help.

Sources: Alberta Student Aid

Impact on Full-Time Funding

If you switch from part-time to full-time studies, your part-time funding will end, and you will need to apply for full-time aid. You cannot receive both part-time and full-time aid at the same time.

It is important to note that if you are considering full-time studies, you should apply for full-time aid through the standard Application for Full-Time Student Loans and Grants. Any part-time loans you have will still need to be repaid according to the terms of your student loan agreement.

• Part-time and full-time aid cannot be received simultaneously.
• Switching to full-time requires a separate application.
• Existing part-time loans must be repaid.
• You may need to inform Alberta Student Aid about your enrollment change.

Sources: Alberta Student Aid