Post-Secondary Funding
Red Deer Polytechnic's Student Connect Centre will be hosting several Alberta Student Aid Drop-In Advising Sessions during the Summer. To see available dates, and to register for your session, please check out this webpage.
Please note: advisors will be available during these sessions to help guide you through the application. Advisors will not be completing the application for you.
Government student loans and grants are available for students studying at the post-secondary level (college or university courses) with both full-time and part-time options.
IMPORTANT: High school level upgrading classes are not post-secondary level courses and are not funded through the same program. High school level upgrading funding information.
Full-Time Student Loans & Grants
Part-Time Student Loans & Grants
Managing Your Student Loan
Full-Time Student Loans and Grants
Government student loans and grants are available to students studying at a full-time post-secondary course load. Full-time funding is intended to assist students with educational and living expenses throughout their study period.
Ensure you meet Alberta Student Aid’s residency requirements.
If you are not a resident of Alberta, you will need to apply for funding through the province you have established residency through.
Access Alberta Student Aid’s online application by visiting studentaid.alberta.ca.
You will need to log in using a MADI (My Alberta Digital ID) account. Once logged in, select the funding application for the academic year you wish to receive funding for.
Please note Alberta Student Aid applications are revised annually and are made available to students every summer (usually in June).
By completing Alberta Student Aid's full-time student loan application, you are automatically assessed for federal and provincial loans and grants. If you consider yourself to have a permanent disability, you are encouraged to connect with Red Deer Polytechnic's Accessibility Services to discuss disability grant eligibility. Additional paperwork may be required.
Alberta Student Aid will assess you for your living expenses as per this chart. If your actual living expenses exceed the amount you are being assessed for, you may be able to appeal your loan for higher costs by submitting a Request for Review.
Ensure you are registered in a full-time post-secondary course load.
In order to be considered a full-time student for student loan purposes, you must be registered as follows:
| Minimum Full-Time Course Load for Student Loan Purposes | |
| Fall and Winter Terms (Credit Programs) |
Minimum of 3 post-secondary level courses and 9 academic credits per term.
|
| Spring and Summer Terms (Credit Programs) |
Minimum of 2 post-secondary level courses and 6 academic credits
|
| Health Care Aide (Division of Extended Education) | Enrolment in the 8 month program |
| Pre-Employment (Division of Extended Education) | Enrolment in the 12 week program |
| Apprenticeship | Enrolment in the 6-15 week programs |
Your student loan will not be confirmed nor released until you have registered in a full-time course load for the entire study period indicated on your loan application.
Log in to your Student Aid Account to review your correspondence.
Your Student Award Letter will break down the amount(s) and type(s) of funding you will be receiving. If your approval amount is lower than expected and you wish to receive additional funds, you may be able to appeal your loan. Contact the Student Connect Centre to discuss your situation or submit a Request for Review.
Depending on your situation, you may need to complete loan agreements or have your partner complete a spousal consent and declaration form.
Funds are scheduled to be released by the date(s) on your Student Award Letter. Please note your funds will not be released unless your loan application has been approved, your enrolment has been confirmed by Red Deer Polytechnic, and your loan agreements and spousal consent form (if applicable) have been submitted.
Part-Time Student Loans and Grants
If you are registered in a course load that is less than the minimum full-time requirements, you are considered to be a part-time learner and can apply for part-time funding. Part-time funding is intended to assist students with the cost of tuition, books, travel, and childcare (if applicable). Living expenses such as rent, utilities, and groceries are not provided for part-time learners. Students must apply for funding each semester and subsequent funding is dependent upon successful course completion.
- Ensure you meet Alberta Student Aid’s residency requirements. If you are not a resident of Alberta, you will need to apply for funding through the province you have established residency through.
- Print and complete Alberta Student Aid’s Part-Time Application.
- Once completed, submit your application to the Student Connect Centre. Please note you must be registered in a part-time course load prior to submitting your application.
- If you consider yourself to have a permanent disability, you are encouraged to connect with Red Deer Polytechnic's Accessibility Services to discuss disability grant eligibility. Additional paperwork may be required.
Updating Your Student Loan
If you need to change your student loan session dates, or you have applied incorrectly and need to cancel and start a new application, log in to your Student Aid Account, and click on “Update Application” to make the required corrections. If your funds have already been released, please contact the Student Connect Centre for assistance.
Managing Your Student Loan
Appealing Your Student Loan
If you wish to change information originally submitted on your student loan application or would like to request additional funding, you may appeal your student loan. Contact the Student Connect Centre to discuss your situation or log in to your Student Aid Account to submit a Request for Review. Please note appealing your loan may take up to 6 weeks to process.
Interest-Free Status
If you have previous student loans and wish to place them in interest-free and payment-free status during your current or upcoming study period, you may be eligible to do so. Click here for more information on placing your loans into interest-free status or contact the Student Connect Centre to discuss your situation.
Student Loan Repayment
When it comes to repaying your student loan, you will be dealing directly with your lender(s). If you received both provincial and federal loans, you may have two lenders. Visit the National Student Loans Service Centre YouTube channel or Alberta Student Aid's Repayment webpage for more information on student loan repayment.
Did you know student loan borrowers can use Aeroplan, TD or CIBC points to pay off student loan debt? Read more on how to do so with HigherEdPoints.
Student Connect Centre
Room 1102 | Red Deer Polytechnic
Box 5005 - 100 College Blvd, Red Deer, AB T4N 5H5
t: 403.342.3254 | f: 403.342.3262 | e: studentconnect [at] rdpolytech [dot] ca
Book an appointment with the Student Connect Centre