The Alberta government is investing more than $1 billion in student financial assistance for the upcoming academic year, introducing changes to how financial need is calculated alongside a boost to non-repayable funding.
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Applications for provincial loans and grants for the 2026-27 school year officially opened June 3, advanced education minister Myles McDougall announced.
The province is increasing its total non-repayable aid to include nearly $107 million in scholarships and awards, as well as more than $75 million in grants.
However, students will face a revised eligibility assessment. For the upcoming academic year, Alberta Student Aid will factor parental or spousal financial contributions into certain applications when determining financial need.
Government officials said the shift is designed to better reflect an applicant’s actual financial position, aligning Alberta’s system with the Canada Student Financial Assistance Program and other provinces.
“We know students and families are under real financial pressure, and student aid can make the difference for staying in school,” McDougall said. “By increasing non-repayable support and updating how we assess financial need, we are ensuring help is fair, transparent and focused on students who need it most.”
Under the current system, students are automatically assessed for both provincial and federal non-repayable grants when they submit a single application for student loans.
The province is encouraging students to apply through the Alberta Student Aid online portal at least 60 days before their program begins to ensure their funding is processed before classes start.
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