Student Loan Requirements

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1. Basic Eligibility Requirements

To qualify for Alberta Student Aid (provincial) and Canada Student Loans (federal), you must meet ALL of the following basic eligibility criteria. A single disqualifying factor makes you ineligible for government loan funding.

🇨🇦 Citizenship & Status

You must be one of: Canadian citizen, permanent resident, Protected Person (Convention Refugee), or a person with a Minister's Permit (specific conditions apply). International students on a study permit are not eligible for government student loans.

🏠 Residency — Alberta

You must be an Alberta resident at the time of application. Residency is determined by where you last lived for 12+ consecutive months prior to starting school (excluding time spent as a student). If your family home is in another province, you must apply to that province.

📋 Enrollment Status

You must be enrolled at a Designated Learning Institution (DLI). BrightlyEd is a designated institution. You must be enrolled in a program of at least 12 weeks and carry a minimum 60% course load (40% for students with a permanent disability).

🎓 Program Eligibility

The program you're enrolled in must be approved for student loan purposes. All BrightlyEd certificate and diploma programs of 12+ weeks qualify. Single courses and continuing education workshops do not qualify.

📅 Age Requirement

There is no minimum age for Alberta Student Aid — high school graduates under 18 can apply. There is also no maximum age. Mature students aged 40+ are eligible on the same basis as younger students.

💰 Financial Need

Student loans are need-based. Your assessed need = program costs minus your assessed financial resources (income, parental contribution if applicable, spousal income). Even if eligible, you may not receive a loan if assessed need is $0.

Default Status

If you have a previous student loan in default (more than 270 days overdue), you are not eligible for new student loans until the default is resolved. You must either repay in full or negotiate a Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP) with National Student Loans Service Centre (NSLSC) before new funds can be released.

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2. Income Assessment Rules

Alberta Student Aid uses an income assessment formula to determine your level of financial need. The following income sources and exemptions apply for the 2025–2026 assessment year.

Student Income Assessment

Employment income during study period: First $1,800 earned during the study period is exempt. Income above $1,800 is assessed at 80% (i.e., $0.80 of every dollar above $1,800 reduces your loan eligibility).
Summer earnings: If you worked during the summer prior to the study period, Alberta expects you to contribute 70% of net summer income (after mandatory deductions) toward your education costs.
RRSP withdrawals: Assessed in full as income.
TFSA withdrawals: Not assessed as income (TFSA is post-tax).
Employment Insurance (EI): Assessed in full. Students cannot typically receive EI while studying full-time.
Social assistance (AISH, Income Support): Not assessed as student income — Alberta Student Aid coordinates with social assistance offices.
Child Tax Benefit / CCB: Not counted as student income.
Scholarships and bursaries: First $1,800 of scholarship income is exempt per study period. Amounts above $1,800 are assessed at 50%.

Parental Contribution (Dependent Students Under 22)

Students who are under age 22, have never been married/common-law, and have not lived independently for 12+ consecutive months are classified as dependent students.
Dependent students must declare parental income. Parents are expected to contribute on a sliding scale based on their net family income and the number of dependants.
Contribution starts when parental net income exceeds $42,000/year (2025–2026 threshold) for a family of 4. Threshold varies by family size.
Maximum parental contribution is capped at 50% of assessed need regardless of parental income.
Students can request an override of dependent status if they can demonstrate they have been financially independent (self-supporting) for 24+ consecutive months prior to starting school.

Spousal Income (Married / Common-Law Students)

Spouses / common-law partners must declare their income.
Spousal contribution is calculated at 80% of net spousal income above $12,400/year (the exempt portion is equivalent to one employment income exemption).
If your spouse is also a full-time student, their contribution is reduced to $0 regardless of income — both students are assessed independently.

Income Example — Single Independent Student

Maria, age 25, enrolled in the Healthcare Administration Certificate. She earned $8,200 during the summer. Her assessed summer contribution = 70% × $8,200 = $5,740. Her program costs are $4,200 tuition + $420 fees + $1,800 living allowance = $6,420. Her assessed need = $6,420 − $5,740 = $680. Maria is eligible for $680 in student loan funding. If her summer earnings were only $2,000, her contribution = $1,400, and her assessed need = $5,020 — a much larger loan amount.

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3. Loan Limits & Amounts

Student loan funding is divided between the federal Canada Student Loan and the provincial Alberta Student Loan. Together they make up your total loan award. Grants (non-repayable) are issued separately and automatically assessed when you apply.

Loan Component	Annual Maximum	Weekly Maximum	Notes
Canada Student Loan	$7,700/yr	$210/week	Federal — issued by NSLSC. Interest-free while in school.
Alberta Student Loan	$2,640/yr	$72/week	Provincial — issued by Alberta Student Aid. Interest-free while in school.
Combined Maximum	$10,340/yr	$282/week	You cannot receive more than this regardless of assessed need.
Lifetime Maximum — Federal	$40,000 total (aggregate lifetime limit)		Once reached, no further Canada Student Loans are issued.
Lifetime Maximum — Provincial	$30,000 total (aggregate lifetime limit)		Combined provincial + federal lifetime cap: $70,000.
Study Weeks Limit	340 weeks (undergraduate/certificate); 520 weeks total (if graduate studies follow)		Weeks with disability: +60 extra weeks if applicable.

Loan Limits Are Per Study Period — Not Per Year

If your program is 10 months long, your loan is calculated based on the number of study weeks (typically 40 weeks × $282/week = $11,280 maximum). However, the $10,340 annual cap applies. You cannot borrow more than your assessed need, and the maximum is the lesser of assessed need or the weekly cap × study weeks.

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4. Grant Eligibility (Non-Repayable Funding)

Grants are automatically assessed when you apply for student loans — you do not need to submit a separate grant application. If you are eligible, grants are disbursed along with your loan funding.

Canada Student Grant (Full-Time)

Amount: $4,200/year (2025–2026)
Eligibility: Full-time student with demonstrated financial need
Income threshold: Family net income under $175,000/year (tiered — higher income = reduced grant)
Non-repayable: Does not need to be repaid
Counts against lifetime study weeks

Canada Student Grant (Part-Time)

Amount: Up to $1,800/year
Eligibility: Part-time students (20–59% course load) with financial need
Family income threshold: under $60,000/year (2025–2026)
Part-time students may receive grants but not loans (different assessment)

Grant — Students with Disabilities

Amount: Up to $4,000/year for education-related disability accommodations
Amount: Up to $20,000/year for high-cost disability-related education needs (e.g., intervenors, intensive sign language interpretation)
Requires documentation from a registered health professional
Visit the Disability Services office before applying

Grant — Dependent Students with Children

Amount: $200/month per child (under age 12) — up to $400/month if sole-support parent
Eligibility: Must be a full-time student with one or more dependent children
Child care grants: Up to $175/week per child in licensed child care during study period

Alberta Training Bursary

Alberta residents enrolled in trades and technical programs (including most BrightlyEd trades and technology certificates) may qualify for an additional non-repayable Alberta Training Bursary of $1,500–$2,500. Eligibility is based on program type, income, and number of dependent children. Assessed automatically with your student loan application.

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5. Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Requirements

To remain eligible for student loan funding in future study periods, you must maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress. Failure to meet SAP requirements results in suspension of loan eligibility until conditions are met.

Completion Rate (Pace)

You must successfully complete at least 67% of all attempted credit hours by the end of each study period.
"Attempted" includes: courses in progress, passed, failed, withdrawn after the drop deadline, and incomplete grades not resolved within 30 days.
Withdrawals before the drop deadline do not count as attempted.
Example: If you registered in 5 courses, you must pass at least 4 of them (80% > 67% ✓).

Minimum GPA

You must maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher (on a 4.0 scale) — equivalent to a C average.
Certificate programs: minimum cumulative passing average of 60%.
Diploma programs: minimum cumulative passing average of 65%.
A single failed semester does not automatically disqualify you — your cumulative average is used.

Maximum Timeframe

You must complete your program within 150% of the published program length.
Example: A 1-year certificate must be completed within 18 months of your start date.
A 2-year diploma must be completed within 3 years.
Study periods in which you received funding count toward this maximum even if you subsequently withdrew.

SAP Warning & Suspension

If you fail SAP at the end of a study period, you are placed on Financial Aid Warning for the following period — you may still receive funding, but you must meet SAP by the end of the warning period. If you fail SAP for two consecutive study periods, you are placed on Financial Aid Suspension and cannot receive loans until you complete a study period without loan funding and meet SAP standards. You may appeal suspension to the Financial Aid Appeals Committee — appeals must include a detailed explanation and an Academic Recovery Plan signed by your program advisor.

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6. Special Circumstances & Specific Rules

Prior Degree Holders

Holding a previous degree, diploma, or certificate does not automatically disqualify you from student loans for a new program. However:

Your lifetime study weeks limit may be reduced or exhausted if you received student loans for prior studies.
Your assessed need may be lower if your prior credential has increased your earning potential (Alberta Student Aid may apply a "prior degree premium" to assessed resources for students who already hold a post-secondary credential in a related field).
Students upgrading from a certificate to a diploma in a different field are generally assessed the same as first-time students.

Part-Time Enrollment

Part-time students (20–59% course load) may apply for part-time Canada Student Loans — up to $10,000 per award year lifetime for part-time study.
Part-time loans are interest-free while studying. Repayment begins 6 months after you cease to be a part-time student.
Part-time students are not eligible for the full-time Canada Student Grant.
Students with permanent disabilities may qualify for full-time loan amounts at 40% course load — contact Financial Aid for documentation requirements.

Employer-Sponsored Tuition / Tuition Reimbursement

If your employer reimburses tuition either before or after the study period, this reimbursement is assessed as a resource and reduces your loan eligibility.
Exception: If the employer reimbursement is conditional on maintaining employment (i.e., you receive it only after completing the year and returning to work), it is not assessed in the initial loan calculation. If you receive it during the study period, it must be reported and may trigger a reassessment.
Report employer tuition support honestly on your application — failure to disclose is considered fraud and can result in full loan repayment demands and ineligibility for future loans.

Parental Leave & Students with Children

If you are on parental leave during part of your study period, EI parental benefits are not assessed as student income only if you are also enrolled in courses that study period.
Taking a leave of absence for parental reasons does not reset your study weeks clock — weeks you were not enrolled do not count against you.
Contact Financial Aid before going on leave to understand the impact on your loan disbursements and repayment obligations.

Permanent Residents & New Canadians

Permanent residents are eligible for student loans on the same basis as Canadian citizens — citizenship is not required.
The 12-month Alberta residency rule applies the same way. If you just arrived in Alberta, you may need to wait 12 months before establishing Alberta residency for loan purposes (unless you moved for study, in which case your previous province applies).
Protected persons (Convention Refugees) are eligible from the date their status is recognized by IRCC.
Refugees with a Minister's Permit are eligible — contact Financial Aid with your permit documentation.

Withdrawal & Return of Loan Funds

If you withdraw from your program within the first 30 days of the study period, your full loan amount must be returned to Alberta Student Aid.
If you withdraw after 30 days but before 60% of the study period is complete, a pro-rated return is required (Return of Title IV equivalent).
After 60% of the study period is complete, you are considered to have "earned" 100% of your disbursed loan — no return is required even if you withdraw.
BrightlyEd calculates earned amounts on a daily basis using total calendar days in the study period.

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7. Repayment Rules

Repayment Start Date

Repayment begins 6 months after you cease to be a full-time student. This is the non-repayment period.
During the non-repayment period: no interest accrues on Canada Student Loans (federal). Alberta Student Loans also do not accrue interest during this period.
If you return to full-time studies within the 6-month non-repayment period, repayment is deferred again until 6 months after your new graduation/withdrawal date.

Standard Repayment Amounts

The standard repayment term is 10 years (120 monthly payments).
You can request to extend the amortization period up to a maximum of 15 years (180 payments) — this reduces monthly payments but increases total interest paid.
There is no penalty for making lump-sum payments or paying off your loan early.
Interest rate (Canada Student Loan, post non-repayment period): Prime rate. Rate may be fixed or floating — confirm with NSLSC at time of repayment start.

Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP)

If your income after graduation is insufficient to make standard monthly payments, you can apply for the Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP).
Under RAP, your monthly payment is capped at 20% of your gross family income.
If your income is below $40,000/year (single), your required payment under RAP may be $0/month.
RAP must be renewed every 6 months. You must reapply and provide updated income documentation.
After 10 years on RAP, any remaining loan balance is forgiven by the federal government. Alberta Student Loans: after 15 years total in repayment.

Canada Student Loan Forgiveness — Healthcare & Education Workers

Healthcare workers who are employed in under-served rural or remote communities may qualify for Canada Student Loan forgiveness of up to $40,000 over 5 years. Early childhood educators working in licensed childcare may qualify for up to $20,000 over 5 years. These programs are administered by ESDC. Contact Financial Aid for current program details and eligibility requirements.

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8. How to Apply

Apply to BrightlyEd First

Receive your Letter of Acceptance from the Registrar's Office. You will need your Student ID number and program code for the loan application. Apply to BrightlyEd at registrar.html.

Gather Required Documents

You will need: Social Insurance Number (SIN), Notice of Assessment from Canada Revenue Agency (last 2 years), proof of residency, and parental tax information if applicable (dependent students). International documents may need a certified English translation.

Apply Online at StudentAid.Alberta.ca

Applications open approximately 6 weeks before your study period start date. The online application takes 30–60 minutes. Apply early — processing takes 4–6 weeks and funds must be disbursed before or shortly after your start date.

BrightlyEd Confirms Enrollment

Alberta Student Aid will contact BrightlyEd to confirm your enrollment details. Our Financial Aid office monitors these requests and responds within 2 business days. You do not need to do anything — we handle this step.

Sign & Receive Funds

Once approved, you will receive a Master Student Financial Assistance Agreement (MSFAA) to sign electronically. Funds are split: approximately 50% at the start of the study period and 50% at the midpoint. Funds are deposited directly to your bank account.

Pay Tuition

You are responsible for paying your tuition by the due date, regardless of when your loan is disbursed. BrightlyEd offers a 30-day tuition payment deferral for students with a submitted loan application — contact Financial Aid before your program start date to request a deferral.

Quick Reference

Max loan per year:

$10,340 (Canada + Alberta combined)

Max grant per year:

$4,200 (Canada Student Grant, FT)

Minimum age:

None

Minimum course load (full-time loan):

60% (40% with documented disability)

Repayment begins:

6 months after leaving school

Default threshold:

270 days overdue

Application site:

studentaid.alberta.ca

⚠️ Common Mistakes

Applying from another province and claiming Alberta residency incorrectly
Not reporting summer employment income accurately
Forgetting to report employer tuition reimbursement
Withdrawing before 60% — triggering a mandatory return
Not renewing RAP every 6 months (causing default)
Exceeding lifetime study weeks and applying again

📞 Contact Financial Aid

BrightlyEd Financial Aid advisors can help you understand your eligibility and walk you through the application process.

Office: Room 104, Main Building
Hours: Mon–Fri, 9am–4pm
Phone: (403) 555-8201
Email: financialaid@brightlyed.ca

Back to Financial Aid

Book Appointment

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Frequently Asked Eligibility Questions

I already have a university degree. Can I get a student loan for a BrightlyEd certificate?

Yes. Holding a prior credential does not disqualify you. However, your remaining lifetime study weeks and lifetime loan limits will be reduced by the weeks you received funding for your degree. If you received student loans for a 4-year degree (approximately 160 weeks), you may have approximately 180 eligible weeks remaining under the 340-week cap. Contact Financial Aid with your loan history — we can estimate your remaining eligibility.

I have a student loan from another province in default. Can I still get loans for BrightlyEd?

No. Defaults on any provincial or federal student loan (including loans from BC, Ontario, etc.) are shared with NSLSC and Alberta Student Aid. You must resolve the default through repayment or a Repayment Assistance Plan before new funding can be issued. Contact NSLSC at 1-888-815-4514 to discuss your options.

My employer pays part of my tuition. Will this affect my loan?

Yes. Employer tuition reimbursement received during the study period is assessed as a resource and reduces your loan amount. However, if the reimbursement is contingent on completing the program and returning to work afterward, and you will not receive it until after your study period ends, it is typically not assessed in the initial calculation. Disclose it on your application and speak to Financial Aid about timing.

I'm on parental leave and want to take classes. Am I eligible for student loans?

Generally yes — being on EI parental leave does not disqualify you, but EI parental benefits are assessed as income. Students receiving EI parental benefits while studying will have those benefits counted as resources, which may reduce loan amounts. If you are on EI Maternity/Parental and enroll full-time, confirm with Service Canada whether your EI is affected by full-time study status — in some cases, student status can trigger a review of EI eligibility.

Can I get a loan if I withdraw mid-semester?

You keep any loan funds already disbursed if you withdraw after the 60% point of the study period. If you withdraw before 60%, a prorated portion must be returned to Alberta Student Aid. Additionally, if you fail to meet SAP standards due to withdrawal, future loan eligibility may be suspended. Contact Financial Aid before withdrawing — we can help you understand the financial impact and may be able to arrange alternatives (late withdrawal, leave of absence).

I'm studying part-time. What's available?

Part-time students (20–59% course load) may be eligible for part-time Canada Student Loans (up to $10,000 lifetime aggregate) and the part-time Canada Student Grant (up to $1,800/year if family income is under $60,000). Part-time loans are not available provincially through Alberta Student Aid — only the federal Canada Student Loans program covers part-time study. Note that courses below 20% course load do not qualify for any government loan funding.

I just got my Permanent Residency. How soon can I apply?

Immediately upon receiving your PR card. Permanent residents are eligible for student loans on the same basis as Canadian citizens. You do not need to wait any additional period beyond the Alberta 12-month residency requirement. If you have been in Alberta for 12+ consecutive months prior to starting school (as a worker, not a student), you qualify as an Alberta resident for loan purposes.

What happens to my loan if I fail a course and need to repeat it?

Repeated courses count as attempted credits and may affect your SAP completion rate. You can typically receive loan funding to repeat a failed course once. Funding to repeat a course you already passed (for grade improvement) is generally not covered. The additional study period needed to repeat courses also counts against your maximum timeframe limit. If retaking courses threatens your SAP standing, contact Financial Aid to discuss a SAP Appeal before your next enrollment period.