Both federal and provincial government funding is available to students who are enrolled on a part-time basis. Part-time status is defined as studying at 20% - 59% of a full course load. At RDC this normally translates to enrolment in less than 3 courses and 9 academic credits.

General Information

• You do not need to be registered in your courses to apply for part-time funding.
• Apply early! Applications can take up to 6 weeks to process.
• Eligibility for part-time funding is determined using an income threshold table.
• Part-time funding is intended to assist with the cost of tuition, books, travel and daycare (if applicable). It is not intended to assist students with living costs such as rent, utilities, food, etc.

Application Procedure

• Application forms are available from the Student Funding & Awards Office (Room 1101) or a local Canada-Alberta Service Centre.
• Students can complete and sign the application form and then drop it off at the Student Funding & Awards Office.
• The Student Funding & Awards Office will complete Section 7 of the form and then forward the application to Alberta Students Finance for assessment.

Types of Funding

Skills Investment Bursary

Students who demonstrate financial need according to set income thresholds may be eligible for up to $5,000/academic year in Skills Investment Bursary Funding. Courses eligible for funding include high school upgrading or courses in post-secondary certificate programs which are one year or less in duration.

Part-time Bursary for Post-Secondary Students

Part-time post-secondary students who demonstrate financial need according to set income thresholds may be eligible for up to $600 per semester to a maximum of $1,800 per calendar year. Courses eligible for funding include one-year certificate programs, two-year diploma programs and four-year degree programs. As well, some Continuing Education courses are eligible. Please speak to the Student Funding & Awards Office for more information.

Part-Time Canada Student Loan for Post-Secondary Students

Students who are studying at the post-secondary level and have demonstrated financial need according to set income thresholds may apply for up to $10,000.00 in part-time Canada Student Loan.
Interest will accumulate while you are in school, but you will not be required to make payments until you have completed your courses. Six months after you have completed your studies, you will be expected to begin repaying your loan to the National Student Loans Service Centre. However, you may also qualify for Repayment Assistance if your income is below a certain level.

Receiving your Funding

You will be mailed a Notice of Assessment which will indicate the type and amount of funding you are eligible to receive.

Loan recipients will be mailed Certificates of Eligibility (Loan Certificates). You will need to bring your loan certificates (and present photo identification) to the Student Funding & Awards Office for loan signing no earlier than 30 days before the start of your classes.

All Grants and Bursaries will be forwarded directly to the Student Funding & Awards Office. You will need to present photo identification to the staff and sign for your cheque before it can be released to you.

If you are a Distance Learning student please contact our office directly to make arrangements for Loan Signing or Cheque distribution. Phone 403.342.3254 or email financialaid@rdc.ab.ca.