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 Northwestern Polytechnic, you may be eligible for many scholarships, awards, and bursaries to assist you with your post-secondary education.

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; awards are available to Canadian citizens or permanent residents and international students who are in at least their second year of studies at NWP.

Dates, award funds and availability are subject to change. Please see the information provided on specific application forms.

Student Loans

The Federal and Provincial/Territorial Governments provide 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 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).
• Depending on your assessment and province of application, you may receive a Notice of Assessment, your Alberta Student Aid Agreement and your Canada Master Student Financial Assistance Agreement – your legal agreements between you and your loan provider. Your Notice of Assessment informs you of how much your award will be for the year. Once your application is approved, you will receive an email asking you to log in to your Student Aid account. Log in and follow the instructions to complete your agreements.  No funds will be released until your agreements are complete.  
• Register in a full-time course load in all of your terms so Northwestern Polytechnic can confirm your enrolment with your student loan provider. You must be admitted into 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 by 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 Alberta Student Aid at least 30 days before the end date of your yearly period of studies.

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

Paying Your Fees

Northwestern Polytechnic will make every effort to request your tuition and fees directly from your loan certificate when we confirm your enrolment. It is ultimately your responsibility as the student, to ensure that tuition is paid in accordance with the institution's payment deadlines.

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

Access our current estimated program costs at gprc.me/Tuition&Fees.

Cashing Your Loan

Before you can receive any student loans or grants, you need to complete a legal agreement between you and your loan provider.

There may be separate agreements for your province and Canada. If you are approved for student aid from both your province and Canada, you will have to complete two agreements.

You must complete an agreement in the following situations:

• The first time you apply and are approved for student aid,
• If you have had previous student aid and return to school after a break of two years or more, or
• You have had previous student aid from another province.

Once your application is approved, you will receive an email asking you to log in to your Student Aid account. Log in and follow the instructions to complete your agreements.

You cannot receive any student aid until your agreements are complete. 

Read the terms and conditions of your agreements carefully. They include details regarding:

• How you will use the money
• Your repayment obligations
• How your monthly payments will be calculated

Once you have completed your Alberta Student Aid agreement, a copy will be available in your Student Aid inbox.

Your agreement must be received before your study period end date. To allow for processing time, complete your agreement at least two weeks before your school year ends. If your agreement is not complete before your end date, funding will be cancelled.

Issuing Grants

Grants are not issued until you have submitted both your Alberta Student Aid Agreement and your Canada Master Student Financial Assistance Agreement and the educational institution has confirmed registration. Grant cheques are mailed to your home address.

Keeping Loans Interest Free

If you are not receiving student aid this year, but you have previous student loans and are still a full-time student, notify your provincial Student Aid Service Centre and the National Student Loans Service Centre. This will keep your loans in interest-free status while you are in school.

Foundational Learning Assistance Program

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, applications must be submitted electronically. Please read the following instructions carefully to ensure your application is processed correctly.

Foundational Learning funding is for Academic Upgrading only. If you plan to apply for post-secondary funding, please contact us and we will provide you with helpful information.

Funding Decisions

Please note that funding decisions are made by the Government of Alberta. Northwestern Polytechnic cannot determine if your funding application will be successful.

Apply for Funding

If you are interested in applying for the Foundational Learning Assistance Program (full and part-time), please note that the application process is now initiated by the institution on your behalf. These are the steps you need to take:

1. You need to be admitted and registered into your courses prior to applying for Foundational Learning Assistance. Please contact Angie Harper at AHarper@NWPolytech.ca if you need more information about admissions.
2. To apply for funding, please contact Financial Aid at Financialaid@NWPolytech.ca to initiate the application.
3. Keep in mind that you will be responsible for paying any tuition, fees and books if the Foundational Learning Assistance funding has not been approved by the time tuition and fees are due. The last day to pay Fall Semester fees is September 13, 2022. Winter Semester fees are due on or before January 13, 2023.
4. Book can be purchased online through the Bookstore.

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.

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 our application, admission and registration process works.

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:

Alberta Student Aid

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

Learn more about Alberta Student Loans

Canada Apprentice Loan

The Canada Apprentice Loan is an initiative of the Government of Canada to help complete your apprenticeship in a designated Red Seal trade. You can apply for up to $4,000 in interest-free loans per period of technical training. The money would be available to help with tuition, tools, equipment and living expenses to cover forgone wages and to help support your family.

Learn more about the Canada Apprentice Loan (CAL)

Canada Apprenticeship Incentive Grants

The Apprenticeship Incentive Grant (AIG) is a taxable cash grant of $1,000 per year, to a maximum of $2,000 per person. This Grant helps you, as a registered apprentice, get started in designated Red Seal trades.

The Apprenticeship Incentive Grant for Women (AIG-W) is a taxable cash grant of $3,000 per year, to a maximum of $6,000 per person. This Grant helps women get started in designated Red Seal trades that feature low female representation. The following Red Seal trades are ineligible for this Grant: Baker, Cook, Hairstylist, Landscape Horticulturist and Parts Technician.

Learn more about Canada Apprenticeship Incentive Grants

Canada Apprenticeship Completion Grant

The Apprenticeship Completion Grant (ACG) is a taxable cash grant of $2,000. This Grant helps you as a registered apprentice, to complete your training to become a certified journeyperson in the designated Red Seal trades.

Learn more about Canada Apprenticeship Completion Grant

Apprentice Training Award

The Apprentice Training Award is a $1,500 (effective September 1, 2020) financial award for registered apprentices who are “unemployed in the trade” and attending technical training at an Alberta-approved technical training provider. This award helps reduce financial barriers and supports you as you progress toward your journeyperson certification.

This financial award help you as an apprentice, not employed in your trade, by providing financial assistance to help offset the costs of completing your technical training.

Learn more about the Apprentice Training Award

Sponsorship

If your agency would like to sponsor a student for some or all educational costs, and would like to be billed directly, access NWP's Apprentice Confirmation of Sponsorship document and our Sponsorship Guidelines document via the following links.

Apprenticeship Confirmation of Sponsorship (763K) Adobe Acrobat Document

Sponsorship Guidelines (741K) Adobe Acrobat Document

Employment Insurance -  Information for Apprentices and Occupational Trainees

Through the Employment Insurance (EI) system, the Government of Canada provides income support to eligible apprentices during periods of technical training. Although all efforts are made to ensure the accuracy of this information, please consult Service Canada directly, as that is the official source of information about EI.

Learn more about Employment Isurance for Apprentices

Apprenticeship and Industry Scholarships

Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training Scholarships recognize the excellence of Alberta apprentices in a trade and trainees in a designated occupation, and encourage recipients to complete their apprenticeship or occupational training programs. Introduced in 2002, these scholarships are valued at $1,000 each. You do not apply for these scholarships. Recipients of an Apprenticeship and Industry Training Scholarship are notified by November 1 each year. Please check that your address is current in your MyTradesecrets account.

Learn more about Apprentice and Industry Training Scholarships

Contact Us

For more information on financing your education, please contact: