Financial aid self-help

Information for government student loan and/or grants

You may be eligible for student financial assistance. The Government of Canada works in partnership with most provinces and territories to deliver student financial assistance programs.

Information for bank line of credit

Information for bank line of credit, your financial institution may require specific information from AU regarding your registration or intent to register. You should ensure that you are aware of the requirements of your bank. If you are required to maintain full-time status, this means that you must be registered in a minimum of four 3-credit courses. All 4 courses must have the same start date. To request a Confirmation of Enrolment letter please email Student Financial Aid or if you require a Letter of Intent, as a non-funded student please email Enrolment Services.

Information for Confirmation of Enrolment for a previous student loan

If you have a federal or provincial student loan, are returning to post-secondary studies, and you are not obtaining new funding, you will need to confirm your full or part-time status with your student loan service provider. To maintain full-time status, you must be registered in a minimum of four 3-credit courses. All 4 courses must have the same start date. To request a Confirmation of Enrolment form:

• FORM B – Submit your request by email to Student Financial Aid
• Schedule 2 -Submit your request via National Student Loans
• OSAP Continuation of Interest Free Status - Submit your request via Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP)

All other forms please email Student Financial Aid

Information for Letter for Sponsor (ie. First Nations or other third party)

If you are attending AU and are being sponsored or funded by a third party, please contact the Enrolment Services Unit in the Office of the Registrar.

Information for Confirmation of Enrolment letter

If you are required to maintain full-time status as a non-funded student, you must be registered in a minimum of four 3-credit courses. All 4 courses must have the same start date. Verification of Enrollment letters are provided via email obtained by submitting a Verification of Enrolment (Undergraduate/Graduate Studies) request. To request an official Confirmation of Enrolment letter which includes fees and credit weight of the courses enrolled in, please contact Student Financial Aid. If you have a specific form, please complete your section, and send the document by email to Student Financial Aid.

Information for student awards, scholarships, and/or bursaries

Whether you receive top grades; balance academics with family, career, and community roles; or have financial shortcomings; Athabasca University has a student awards program that can potentially benefit you. To determine which awards you may qualify for, please check out the Student Awards Finder.

International students

Athabasca University is not able to provide financial assistance or funding to international students. Students who reside outside of Canada should contact their local government authorities for information on available financial assistance for educational studies or programs.

Visiting students

You may need to pay particular attention to the contract start and end dates of your funding period because there may be a negative consequence to your subsequent funding period at your home institution. Some provinces require funded students to be enrolled in a program or attending on a Letter of Permission to be eligible for funding. The Letter of Permission must include your program/degree and the faculty/division the program is considered to be in. Please email this form to Student Financial Aid and be sure to include your name and AU ID number in all correspondence.

Undergraduate full-time aid

To be eligible for full-time financial aid, you must request a minimum of three, 3-credit courses for each 4-month funded semester. All courses in each semester must have the same start date. Funded students receive a shortened contract for their courses. Three-credit courses are shortened to 4 months (instead of 6) and 6-credit courses are shortened to 8 months (instead of 12). Where a student has enrolled in a 6-credit course the course must start and end within an 8-month funded term in the same academic year and a minimum of two 3 credit courses must be added to each semester to meet the minimum full-time course load. Anything less than the above is considered part time. For full-time studies, you must complete the Student Financial Aid Course Registration Plan and apply for funding for the next available start date by the published deadline.

Undergraduate part-time aid

You may take one 3-credit course or up to a maximum of three 3-credit courses per 6-month semester. All courses must have the same start date. You may apply for only 1 semester per funding period (not multiple semesters). Students are required to register and pay tuition fees upfront as part-time funding is not available by Athabasca University's registration/tuition due date. If you are not registered in the courses, then funding (if/when approved) will not be released. For part-time studies, you must complete the Student Financial Aid Course Registration Plan . Deadline is 2 months before the desired start date or no later than 3 months before the contract end date of applicable courses.

Graduate full-time aid

To be eligible for full-time financial aid, you must apply by the Faculty admission and registration deadlines, receive acceptance into your desired program of study: Graduate Programs, request a minimum of one 3 credit group study course for each four-month funded semester or two 3 credit six-month courses for each 4-month funded semester. All courses in each semester must have the same start date. One individualized Graduate studies course with a 6-month contract date is not eligible for full-time funding or full-time status. Please complete the Student Financial Aid Course Registration Plan and apply for funding for the next available start date by the published deadline.

Graduate part-time aid

One individualized graduate studies course with a 6-month contract date is eligible for part-time funding. You may apply for only 1 semester per funding period (not multiple semesters). You must register and remit the tuition fee for the course by your Graduate Centre applicable deadline. Students are required to register and pay tuition fees upfront as part-time funding is not available by Athabasca University’s registration/tuition due date. If you are not registered in the course, then funding (if/when approved) will not be released. For part-time studies, you need to apply for assistance as per your provincial agency’s processes and submit a Student Financial Aid Course Registration Plan for part time studies at least two months prior to the start date and no later than one month after the study period start date.

Alberta full-time aid

Students can apply online for Alberta Student Aid. Students must be enrolled in a program at AU to be eligible for funding.

Alberta part-time aid

You must be in a credential program (degree, certificate, diploma) with AU to be eligible for funding.

Submit a Student Financial Aid Course Registration Plan for part- time studies. Your advisor will complete and email page 3 to you to add to your Alberta Part Time Funding application. You can then complete and upload the Student Aid Alberta Part Time Application form to your Alberta portal.

British Columbia full time aid

Students can apply online for Student Aid BC. The BC Appendix 3 will be completed once the Student Financial Aid Course Registration Plan has been submitted. Please include your BC Application number on the Course Registration Plan.

British Columbia part time aid

For part time studies you must complete the part time Student Aid BC application form. Please email the completed part time application to Student Financial Aid. Students can receive funding as an unclassified/open studies student for a maximum of one year.

Manitoba full time aid

Students can apply online for Manitoba Student Aid. Students must be enrolled in a program at AU to be eligible for funding.

Manitoba part time aid

For Part Time studies you must complete the Part Time Canada Student Loan Plan and/or Canada Study Grant Application (Canada Student Loans Program) and mail to Athabasca University, 1 University Drive, Athabasca, AB, T9S 3A3. Students must be enrolled in a program with AU to be eligible for funding.

New Brunswick full time aid

Students can apply for New Brunswick Student Financial Services. Students must be enrolled in a program at AU or attending on a letter of permission.

New Brunswick part time aid

For part time studies, you must complete the Part-Time Canada Student Loans Plan and/or Canada Study Grant Application (Canada Student Loans Program). Please email the original completed part time application to Student Financial Aid. Students must be enrolled in a program at AU or attending on a letter of permission to be eligible for funding.

Newfoundland and Labrador full time aid

Students can apply online for Newfoundland and Labrador Student Financial Assistance. The last semester you may apply for full time funding for in the current academic year is May. Students must be enrolled in a program with AU or attending on a letter of permission to be eligible for funding.

Newfoundland and Labrador part time aid

For Part Time studies you must complete the Part Time Canada Student Loan Plan and/or Canada Study Grant Application (Canada Student Loans Program) and email to Student Financial Aid. Students must be enrolled in a program with AU or attending on a letter of permission to be eligible for funding.

Northwest Territories full time aid

Students can apply online for NWT Student Financial Assistance. You must also send the NWT Form D along with the Student Financial Aid Course Registration Plan for completion. Students must be enrolled in a program with AU to be eligible for funding.

Northwest Territories part time aid

For information regarding part time (course reimbursement) please see the Student Handbook Part-Time Assistance (Course Reimbursement). To qualify for part-time assistance, you must: Meet the general eligibility requirements. Have attended a designated post-secondary institution and approved program that leads to a certificate, diploma or degree Meet a financial needs test and submit all required documents within one year of starting the course(s). These may include: Completed application form, all applicable receipts, Income Tax Notice of Assessment, Form E - Payments and Financial Transaction Authorization Individual and Official transcript verifying successful completion of the course(s) taken. Students must be enrolled in a program with AU to be eligible for funding.

Nova Scotia full time aid

Students can apply online for Nova Scotia Student Assistance. Students must be enrolled in a program with AU or attending on a letter of permission to be eligible for funding.

Nova Scotia part time aid

For Part Time studies you will need to complete the Part Time Canada Student Loan Plan and/or Canada Study Grant Application (Canada Student Loans Program) Application form and mail to Athabasca University, 1 University Drive, Athabasca, AB, T9S 3A3.

Students must be enrolled in a program with AU to be eligible for funding.

Nunavut full time aid

Students can apply online for Financial Aid for Nunavut Students (FANS). FANS accepts applications for the JANUARY, MAY and SEPTEMBER terms only. Students are encouraged to send their application forms in as soon as they decide to go to school. The final application deadlines are July 15th for the fall intake, November 15th for the winter intake and March 1st for the Spring-Summer intake. To be eligible for student financial assistance from FANS you must: Be a Canadian citizen or have permanent resident status (Landed Immigrant); Be a resident of Nunavut for at least one year; Be enrolling in a program that is at least 12 weeks in length at a designated post-secondary institution; Enrol as a full-time student and be working toward a degree, diploma, or certificate.

Nunavut part time aid

Financial Assistance for Nunavut Students (FANS) does not offer Part Time Funding.

Ontario full time aid

Students can apply online for Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP). Students must be enrolled in a program at AU or attending on a Letter of Permission to be eligible for funding. The letter of permission must include your program /degree and the faculty/division the program is considered to be in. Please email this form to Student Financial Aid. Declaration and signature pages are to be sent directly to OSAP.

Ontario part time aid

For part time studies you must complete the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) part time form online. Declaration and signature pages are to be sent directly to OSAP. Students must be enrolled in a program with AU or attending on a letter of permission to be eligible for funding.

Prince Edward Island full time aid

Students can apply online for PEI Student Financial Assistance. Students must be enrolled in a program with AU or attending on a letter of permission to be eligible for funding.

Prince Edward Island part time aid

For Part Time studies you must complete a Part Time Canada Student Loan Plan and/or Canada Study Grant Application (Canada Student Loans Program) Application form and email to Student Financial Aid. Students must be enrolled in a program with AU or attending on a letter of permission to be eligible for funding.

Quebec full time aid

As Athabasca University is a distance Education University outside of the province of Quebec, Quebec will not provide financial assistance. For further information you can visit the Quebec Student Financial Aid website.

Quebec part time aid

As Athabasca University is a distance Education University outside of the province of Quebec, Quebec will not provide financial assistance. For further information you can visit the Quebec Student Financial Aid website.

Saskatchewan full time aid

Students can apply online for Saskatchewan Student Financial Assistance. Students can receive funding as an unclassified/open studies student for a maximum of one year.

Saskatchewan part time aid

For Part Time studies you must complete the new online application for the Part-Time Loan and Grant Program by accessing the Government of Saskatchewan Advanced Education Student Portal. Students can receive funding as an unclassified/open studies student for a maximum of one year.

Yukon full time aid

Students can apply online for Yukon Financial Assistance. Students must be in a program with AU or attending on a letter of permission to be eligible for funding.

Yukon part time aid

For Part Time studies you must complete a Part Time Canada Student Loan Plan and/or Canada Study Grant Application (Canada Student Loans Program) Application form and email to Student Financial Aid. Students must be enrolled in a program with AU or attending on a letter of permission to be eligible for funding

Attending an AU Program from a Collaborative Institution

A Collaborative AU program student means that you are enrolled in an AU program and are taking courses on site at one of AU’s partner Institutions. You may be registered in AU courses, college courses or a combination of courses at both Educational Institutions. If you are an AU Collaborative student and are applying for a student loan, please identify yourself and your plans with the AU Student Financial Aid Unit prior to applying for your student aid.

Accessibility Services

If you anticipate that you may require access to assistive technology and/or support services OR a reduced course load due to permanent disabling condition you may be eligible for funding through your financial aid agency for such supports. Should you require such assistance, please contact Accessibility Services or by telephone at 1-800-788-9041 extension 3424. We strongly recommend that you discuss your need with Accessibility Services at least 4 months prior to commencing studies as it may not be possible to access these supports after you have commenced your study term. For more information, please visit Accessibility Services website.

Transfer credit evaluations

Transfer credit evaluations do take time and you will need to be aware of the implications of possible delays. Please be mindful that your course selections are required by the current published deadline.