Student Aid
Student Financial Aid Office
For information: 644.6130
Room A125, Main Building, Downtown Campus
NorQuest College Student Financial Aid understands that when you’re a student . . . money matters! We specialize in helping students identify their eligibility for a number of different financial resources that will assist with educational and/or living costs while you are attending NorQuest College.
Alberta Works Income Support (Grant Funding)
Google search: Alberta Works Policy Manual
NorQuest’s Skills Investment Program offered in conjunction with Alberta Employment, Immigration and Industry (AEII) is a grant funding program designed to financially enable and support Albertans in need of training, and provides funding to qualified full-time and part-time students. The program is open to those Albertans who are currently in the following situations:
- Underemployed
- Financially disadvantaged and require training to obtain and maintain sustainable employment
Making an informed choice
All NorQuest programs are supported by the Skills Investment Program.
Three different streams of funding are available:
1.EI (Employment Insurance) Client Stream
To apply under this stream, you must have an EI (Employment Insurance) attachment. This attachment can either be an active EI claim (if you are currently receiving EI), or a Reachback EI claim (if you have received EI in the past three to five years, three years for a regular claim and five for maternity/paternal claim). Other basic criteria must also be met to access this funding. This will be determined through an assessment conducted by NorQuest Student Advisors.
2. Non EI (Non–Employment Insurance) Client Stream
To apply under this stream of funding you must be able to demonstrate that you are financially disadvantaged and require training to obtain and maintain employment. You must also have been out of the regular school system for at 12 consecutive months at some point in your education. Other basic criteria must also be met to access this funding. This will be determined through an assessment conducted by NorQuest Student Advisors.
3. Part-Time Bursary
To apply under this stream of funding you must be able to demonstrate that your last years’ income is below the eligible threshold and you need training to improve your employment status. Other basic criteria must also be met to access this funding. This will be determined through an assessment conducted by NorQuest Student Advisors.
In all funding streams, eligible candidates may be considered for grant funding as required to assist in funding training goals. Employment Insurance learners may also be eligible to receive regular EI benefits while in training. (The duration is based on original eligibility.)
Applying for Skills Investment Funding
- Initial assessment: All prospective students in Adult Upgrading and English Language Training programs are given a short interview to determine their eligibility to access funding.
- Career study: Assistance is available from NorQuest’s Student Career and Employment Services.
- Referral to training: Meet with a NorQuest Student Advisor to approve your training plan.
- Training commences and you enter Service Management. This is your support system and monitors your attendance and progress while in school.
- You successfully complete training and start looking for work.
- Follow-up at three and six months: You will be contacted so that we can have a snapshot of where you are in your job search or employment situation.
- From the time you apply at NorQuest College, it can take up to six weeks to receive funding. Please apply early!
Student Loans
Alberta Student Loans: www.alis.gov.ab.ca/learning/main.asp
The government student loan program is intended to supplement your own resources. Students coming right out of high school are considered to be dependent for four years, which means a parental contribution is expected. Students on government student loans may earn $400 per month in extra income. Earnings above that amount will be considered in your assessment.
Identify your sources of income:
- Parents
- Grandparents/relatives
- Savings from summer jobs
- Part-time earnings while in college
- Spouse
- Investments
- Scholarships/bursaries
- Student loan
- Bank student line of credit
Alberta Student Number
The Alberta Student Number (ASN) is a unique identifier for all Alberta learners that gives students access to improved programs and services in the Alberta Education system. With an ASN, students may apply electronically for financial assistance and have their enrolment confirmed electronically. If you do not have access to your number of if you are moving into the province to study, you can look up or request a number at www.alis.gov.ab.ca, or http://www.learning.gov.ab.ca/learning/studentservices/ASNLookup/.
Applying for a Student Loan
Full-time students in a post-secondary level program (not upgrading) can apply for assistance to Students Finance in their home province. Your provincial Students Finance determines your eligibility and will determine the disbursement method (i.e., Canada loan, provincial loan, etc.).
Paper applications are available after May 1st in the NorQuest Financial Aid Office. Most provinces are now encouraging students to complete an Internet application.
Processing times vary from province to province and may take up to eight weeks. Early application is advised. Proof of admission is not required to submit an application.
Who can help?
NorQuest’s Student Financial Aid Advisor can assist you with the following:
- Advice on how to maximize your student loan funding
- Assistance completing and reviewing student loan application forms
- Assistance in obtaining interest-free status on previously existing student loans
- Information regarding loan repayment after you finish your program
- To process your loan, please come to the Student Financial Aid office with original documents, including your Certification of Eligibility, a void cheque (two cheques if you have two loans), Social Insurance (SIN) card (or T4), and photo ID (e.g., driver’s licence).
Filling out Canada/Alberta Student Loan Forms
When completing a student loan application, be sure to include all the required information and documents. Check the NorQuest College website at www.norquest.ca to confirm the exact costs for tuition, books, and other fees for your program.
Don't forget to claim $10/month for miscellaneous expenses under books and supplies.
Be sure to claim your Students’ Association fees under mandatory fees.
NorQuest College Learner Access Bursary
NorQuest College continues its tradition of helping students to achieve their educational and career goals by assisting tuition payers attending NorQuest College with the NorQuest College Learner Access Bursary. To be eligible for this bursary, you must meet these conditions:
- Resident of Alberta for a minimum of 12 months
- Full-time or part-time tuition paying student
- Not eligible to receive AEII grant funding, a Canada/Alberta student loan, WCB funding, Band funding, AISH, or any other sponsorship
- Must be able to provide documentation to verify your financial need
If you are eligible, you must fill out a bursary application and submit the form and required documentation to the Student Financial Aid Office. Applications are reviewed in the Student Financial Aid Office and students are notified if they qualify for an award.
The NorQuest College Learner Access Bursary amount is dependent upon full-time or part-time status, the length of the program or course, and student financial need. The maximum per academic year is $499 for full-time students and $200 for part-time students.
Applications are available through the Office of the Registrar and the Student Financial Aid Office at the downtown campus in Edmonton. Applications are also available at the Westmount, Wetaskiwin, Stony Plain, Hinton, Edson, Westlock, and Whitecourt campuses and learning sites.
Aboriginal Student Funding
Qualified Aboriginal students may be eligible for additional grants or loans. Other sources of funding may be available through your Band Education Counsellor or Aboriginal funding agencies. For further information, contact NorQuest’s Aboriginal Student Advisor at 780-644-6148.
Aboriginal student funding:
- Student grant funding
- Student loan funding
- Band funding, Bill C-31 funding, and Metis funding
Emergency Student Assistance
Students who have extenuating or emergency situations and are in need of assistance should see the Student Financial Aid Officer in the Student Financial Aid Office, Room 125, Downtown campus, to determine eligibility for loans, food vouchers, or assistance with transportation.
Student Food Bank
Students may access the food bank in emergency situations.
Student Emergency Loans
The College provides loans to registered students on an emergency basis. These loans are repayable to the Student Emergency Loan Fund.
Students wishing to access the Student Emergency Loan Fund must first see the Student Aid Officer to demonstrate a legitimate need for a loan. Legitimate need would include unforeseeable circumstances beyond a student’s control that lead to undue hardships, and are verifiable by an objective and qualified third party. The student will be required to support the request with the assurance that sufficient funding will be forthcoming to repay the loan. The Student Financial Aid Officer will assess the request and discuss the repayment plan with the student.
Last updated:
April 29, 2008
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