Funding During School: Income Support Grant for Apprentices

General Information

• Assistance is provided in the form of a non-repayable government grant to help you cover the cost of tuition, books and living expenses while you are in school.  Grant funding is considered taxable income. Use the following cost estimates to fill out your application:

 2011-2012 Tuition and Fees      2011-2012 Estimated Books and Supply Costs

Application Process

• Application forms are available online at www.employment.alberta.ca/learners
• Please print the Apprentice Income Support Application and any of the additional forms that apply to you.
• Staff in the Student Funding & Awards Office are available to review your completed application and forward your application directly to Alberta Students Finance.
• NOTE: Application forms must be received by Alberta Students Finance in Edmonton prior to your last day of classes in order to be processed.
• Normal processing time is approximately eight weeks. Apply early to have your grant in place for the start of your program.
• Waitlisted? You don't have to be registered to apply! Submit your funding application so that if a spot becomes available your funding will be ready to be processed.
• Attending back to back classes? You'll need two separate application forms, one for each period of study. Make it easier by filling them out at the same time!

What If My Costs Are Higher?

Alberta Students Finance uses a Moderate Standard of Living Guideline in order to determine your allowable costs.  If your costs are higher than the guideline, complete the Additional Continuous Benefits (Apprentice) form to be considered for higher costs.  

Standard of Living Guideline for Apprentices in training August 1, 2011 - July 31, 2012.

Checking the Status of your Application

To check the status of your application call 1.800.222.6485.  You will be required to provide your Social Insurance Number (SIN).

Once your application is processed you will receive a Notice of Assessment in the mail. Your Notice of Assessment will state whether you are going to receive a grant and when to expect the funds.

Appealing the Decision

If your circumstances change from what you indicated on your original application you can fill out the Change in Circumstance for Apprentices form available at www.employment.alberta.ca/learners and bring the completed and printed form to the Student Funding & Awards office for review.  

Federal Apprenticeship Incentive Grant

The Apprenticeship Incentive Grant ($1,000 per year) is available to registered apprentices once they have successfully completed their first or second year (level) of an approved Red Seal apprenticeship program. 

The Apprenticeship Completion Grant ($2,000) is available once you become a certified journeyman in a designated Red Seal trade. 

These grants are considered taxable income. Apply online at www.servicecanada.gc.ca/eng/goc.apprenticeship/index.shtml 

RDC Scholarships

There are various awards available to apprenticeship students in all the years of training. Visit Awards & Scholarships for more information.

External Awards

Apprenticeship students can also refer to many different websites which provide scholarships and awards.  Various deadlines and eligibility criteria apply. 

Check with the Student Funding & Awards Office for more details.

Student Funding & Awards Office
Room 1101 | RDC
t: 403.342.3254 | e: financialaid@rdc.ab.ca