Alberta Student Aid provides financial assistance to Alberta residents enrolled in approved post-secondary programs. The program combines provincial loans and grants with the federal Canada Student Loans Program into a single annual application. Unlike the federal program, Alberta does charge interest on its provincial loan portion.
Apply online at alis.alberta.ca. You'll need your SIN, previous year's Notice of Assessment, Alberta residency proof, school enrollment confirmation, and bank details for direct deposit. Apply as early as possible after the application opens — typically in spring for the upcoming fall semester.
Your package may include: Canada Student Grants (federal, non-repayable), Canada Student Loans (federal, interest-free), Alberta Student Loans (provincial, interest-bearing), and Alberta Student Grants for lower-income students. The grant-to-loan ratio improves with lower family income.
Alberta charges interest on its provincial student loans at the prime rate (currently around 5.45%). In contrast, British Columbia and Ontario have eliminated provincial interest. After graduation, always make extra payments on Alberta provincial loans first — eliminating the interest-bearing debt before accelerating repayment of interest-free federal loans.
Repayment begins six months after leaving school. Standard term is 10 years. The federal Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP) covers the federal portion. Alberta has its own repayment assistance for the provincial portion. Contact your loan servicer to coordinate both. Apply for provincial RAP simultaneously if income is low.
Alberta students who become doctors, nurses, or nurse practitioners and serve in rural or remote communities qualify for federal loan forgiveness: up to $40,000 for physicians and $20,000 for nurses over five years. Apply annually through csnpe-nslsc.canada.ca with employment documentation.
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