Student Financial Aid

Information Centre

The Financial Aid Team is here to help you navigate the world of student funding!

Here, you will find general information that will assist you as you begin to plan how you will finance your education. The Financial Aid and Awards Office assists students in meeting their education costs through a variety of award and aid programs (scholarships, bursaries, government student loans and grants).

Most funding sources will require you to have an Alberta Student Number. To obtain your Alberta Student Number, please visit the Alberta Learning website, Learner Registry area and use the "Lookup ASN" link on that page. If you have recently moved to Alberta or have never registered with a school or Post-Secondary institution in Alberta, and need to have an ASN you can request an ASN by using the "Request ASN On-line".

We hope you find this information useful. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to contact our office at the information below. If you would like more information or assistance in completing the form, please contact the Financial Aid Office.

Scholarships, Awards & Bursaries

As a student at GPRC, you may be eligible for many scholarships, awards, and bursaries to assist you with your post-secondary education at Grande Prairie Regional College.

Applications and Deadlines

The Awards Office makes applications available throughout the year. In most cases, the applications are available at least six weeks in advance of the deadline. Notifications will also be sent to your student e-mail address when applications become available.

Every effort will be made to have printable applications on the website. You may also stop by the Awards Office to pick up a paper application and to drop off supporting documentation.

Standard Award Criteria

Standard criteria have been established for scholarships and bursaries to ensure fair and equitable selection. Unless the award details state otherwise, selection is based first on the standard criteria, then secondary requirements. Unless otherwise stated, awards are available to Canadian citizens or permanent residents and international students who are in at least their second year of studies at GPRC.

Scholarships: Scholarships are awards given based on academic excellence.

Scholarship Standard Criteria:

• Full-time student in fall and winter semester
• Selection based on grade point average (GPA)

Bursaries: Bursaries are awards given based on satisfactory academic achievement and demonstrated financial need.

Bursary Standard Criteria:

• Full-time student in fall and winter semester
• Achieved a minimum GPA of 1.7 in the fall semester
• Demonstrated financial need

Dates below are subject to change, please see deadlines on specific application forms.

External Award Opportunities

In addition to the GPRC student awards program, there are many other groups and organizations which offer awards, scholarships, and bursaries that can help you pay for your education. Current GPRC students can expect to receive monthly emails announcing external award opportunities. In the meantime, here are some other places you may wish to explore:

Insider Tip! Be Prepared

When applying for awards, scholarships, and bursaries prepare a portfolio that includes:

• A listing of extracurricular and community involvement
• Your education and career goals
• Your academic records (transcripts, statement of grades, test scores)
• Your personal accomplishments (certificates of recognition, participation awards)
• Letters of reference that speak to community involvement and extracurricular activities

Give yourself enough time to meet all of the award requirements. Submit your application and all documentation on time.

Student Loans

The Federal and Provincial/Territorial Government provides student loan and grant assistance for Canadian citizens and permanent residents studying at the post-secondary level. Student loan programs are designed to help you reach your educational/career goal so you can experience the full range of college student life without having to work too much while you study.

To access student loans

• Apply through your province/territory of residency. Applications open June 1 for the upcoming academic year (for studies beginning on or after August 1).
• After applying you will receive a Notice of Assessment and your Master Student Financial Assistance Agreement forms (MSFAA). Your Notice of Assessment informs you of how much your award will be for the year. You must fill out your MSFAA forms and take them to a designated Canada Post Outlet. You must have government issued photo identification (e.g. drivers' license or passport), government issued proof of social insurance number (SIN card) and banking information (e.g. direct deposit form or void cheque) with you.
• Register in a full-time course load in all of your terms so GPRC can confirm your enrolment with your student loan provider. You must be accepted to your program to register in your courses.
• Don't pay twice! We will make every attempt to request your tuition to be sent to us directly from your student loan.
• To ensure your funds will assist you throughout the academic year; Financial Aid encourages students to make a budget.

If it seems like you did not receive enough funding to cover your expenses for the year, you might be able to appeal your loan. Please visit our Financial Aid office or contact us at the information below.

You must apply for funding each academic year.

Completing the Application

Determine your province/territory of residence: You must apply for your funding through your province/territory of residence.

You are considered to be a resident of Alberta if:

• Alberta is the last province you have lived in for 12 consecutive months without being a full-time post-secondary student, or
• You are attending a school in Alberta and have never lived in any Canadian province for 12 months in a row. In this case, attach a letter to your application to explain your residency situation, or
• You have been out of high school for less than two years and at least one parent is residing in Alberta, or
• If spouse/partner meets the residency requirements for an independent student.

Apply online or mail in a paper application

By filling in one application form, you will be assessed for Canada and Alberta Student Loans, as well as grants and bursaries.  Online applications are processed in two to three weeks. Paper applications are processed in four to six weeks.

Deadline to apply

You must apply to Student Aid Alberta at least thirty days before the end of your yearly period of studies end date.

Need application help? Visit our Financial Aid office or contact us at the information below.

Paying Your Fees

Grande Prairie Regional College will make every effort to “remit” your tuition and fees directly from your loan certificate when we confirm your enrolment. It is ultimately the student’s responsibility to ensure that tuition is paid in accordance with GPRC payment deadlines.

The Financial Aid Team is here to assist students every step of the way! Any questions or concerns please be sure to call, email or visit our office located in Student Services.

2018-2019 Estimated Loan Program Costs (397K) Adobe Acrobat Document

Cashing Your Loan

Instructions for submitting the MSFAAs are mailed along with the agreements. The instructions can also be found at studentaid.alberta.ca. The preferred submission method is through a participating Canada Post location.

In order to receive funding on a current application, students must submit their MSFAAs prior to the study period end date. Students must provide two pieces of identification along with their MSFAAs:

• One must be a government-issued photo ID
• The other must show the student’s Social Insurance Number

Electronic Funds Transferred

When submitting MSFAAs, students are encouraged to either:

• Complete Part C – Electronic Funds Transfer on each MSFAA or
• Attach a void cheque or direct deposit form to each MSFAA

This allows the loan service providers to direct deposit loans for eligible students whose schools have not requested the entire disbursement for tuition. If a student either does not attach a void cheque or leaves Part C of either MSFAA blank, the loan service provider will contact the student to encourage them to provide this information prior to processing the MSFAA. Students who do not wish to provide bank account information will be mailed paper loan cheques.

Issuing Grants

Grants are not issued until the student has submitted both MSFAAs (Canada and Alberta) and the educational institution have confirmed registration. Grant cheques are mailed to the student’s home address.

Keeping Loans Interest Free

Students with Previous Loan Funding

If you are a full-time student without current student loan funding but have had loans in the past, you can request that your loan be put into interest-free status by filling out the proper confirmation of enrolment forms. Confirmation of enrolment forms must be signed by our Financial Aid office.

Alberta Works Grant Funding

Alberta Works Learner Income Support Program, administered by Alberta Human Services:

• Provides grants for books, tuition and living allowance
• Provides financial support for adult residents of Alberta who are attending full-time or part-time Academic Upgrading
• More information can be found at http://www.humanservices.alberta.ca/AWonline/IS/5017.html

Application Process

Step 1
Apply for Admission to Academic Upgrading.  Write placement test if required.

Step 2
Once admission letter is received, pay the Tuition Deposit and register in your courses.

Step 3
Download and complete your application for Alberta Works Learner Benefits > 

Step 4
Bring in your signed consent form.  We will complete your Training Provider Information Form for you and we can send them both in by government courier.  If you completed your application on paper we can send that in for you too!

Please note:
Students need to apply, pay the application fee, write the placement assessment (if necessary) and meet with a Financial Aid Liaison to determine Alberta Works eligibility.

Sponsorship

If your agency would like to sponsor a student for some or all educational costs, and would like to be billed directly, please complete the Confirmation of Sponsorship form found below.

Confirmation of Sponsorship (176K) Adobe Acrobat Document

On the form is also an area which covers the non-refundable tuition deposit that students are required to pay at the time of registration. Students are not formally registered in classes until this deposit is paid. If your organization is willing to pay this deposit on their behalf, please indicate that in the appropriate location on the form.

The following document provides some information on how GPRC’s application, admission and registration process works.

Sponsorship Guidelines (275K) Adobe Acrobat Document

If you would like more information or assistance in completing the form, please contact the Financial Aid Office.

Apprenticeship

If you are a registered apprentice in Alberta and require financial assistance while attending full-time technical training, there are several options:

Student Aid Alberta

Apprenticeship programs are now eligible for Alberta Student Aid at designated institutions.

For more information, please visit studentaid.alberta.ca

Canada Apprentice Loan

CAL is loan funding offered by the Government of Canada to apprentices registered in a Red Seal trade apprenticeship program who are enrolled in technical training. CAL is meant to help apprentices pay for tuition, tools, equipment, living expenses, cover forgone wages or support their family.

Learn more >

Canada Apprenticeship Grants

The Apprenticeship Incentive Grant (AIG) is a taxable cash grant of $1000 per year/level up to a maximum of $2000.  This grant helps registered apprentices in designated Red Seal trades get started.  The Apprenticeship Completion Grant (ACG) is a taxable cash grant of $2000.  This grant helps registered apprentices who have completed their training become certified journeypersons in designated Red Seal trades.

Learn more about these grants >

Scholarships

Apply for scholarships available only to apprentices at www.tradesecrets.gov.ab.ca

Room of Plenty

We understand that money can sometimes be tight when you are waiting for your funding to come through.  GPRC has a very generously stocked on campus food bank available for struggling students. To access this prompt, discreet service please visit Financial Aid in Student Services.

For more information on financing your education, contact:

Financial Aid Grande Prairie