Financial resources

National Student Loans Service Centre (NSLSC)

For information on past, present and future student loans, visit the National Student Loans Service Centre (NSLSC), a national education planning and financing portal. If you are a non-Canadian student, you should contact the financial services department in your country of residence.

Provincial financial aid locations

Students can obtain these loans for full-time and part-time studies. The amount of funding is based on financial need and an approved program of studies, and the loan must be repaid with interest within a specific period.

Learn more about provincial funding

Estimate AU fees

For an estimate on course tuition fees, visit the course fee calculator.

Paying for post-secondary education

For information on accessible budgeting tools, visit the Financial Consumer Agency of Canada.

Confirmation or Verification of Enrolment (COE/VOE)

If you are a full-time (or part-time in some provinces) student requiring confirmation of enrolment or deferral of interest forms, the request must be made before you are mid-way through your courses. Out-of-province students must provide us with their provincial documents if required. An AU  verification of enrolment form (VOE) can also be provided for health insurance benefits, childcare subsidies, travel or bank discounts, and other benefits.

Further information for graduate students

If you are in the DBA, MBA, GDM, or EdD and require a VOE, contact your program office or financial aid specialist if receiving funding.

Tuition receipts

When you register for a course, you are issued a confirmation letter that indicates, among other details, the student fees paid. Receipts for payment of fees are not issued unless requested.

If you require a receipt for reimbursement purposes or fees other than those listed in the confirmation letter, you must submit a separate request when you register or contact the cashier/accounts receivable assistant (1-800-788-9041 ext. 6129).

T2202 tax receipts—(Tuition and Education Tax Credit)

In Canada, you may be able to reduce income tax payable by claiming tax credits for enrolment in and paying tuition and academic fees for AU's credit courses. Each February, the official Tuition, Education, and Textbook Amounts Certificate form T2202 will be available to all eligible students in printable format on AU's website at your myAU portal.

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Financing your education

The following options are excellent resources to assist students in exploring alternative funding resources to finance their education.

Work while you study or study while you work

A benefit of AU is that you can work full-time or part-time and pay for your courses as you go. There are many ways to finance your education. You need to investigate each option and decide which is best for you.

Indigenous students

If you are an Indigenous student, you may be able to access educational financing through your band or associations, such as the Métis Nation of Alberta. Visit Nukskahtowin Meeting Place for more information.

To receive funding through your band and government financial aid, you must follow the funding process and provide the financial aid specialist (sfa@athabascau.ca) with a copy of your sponsor letter at least 1 month before the study period start date.

Provided you are approved for full-time funding, and we receive your sponsor letter as requested, we can invoice your sponsor for the tuition costs.

Undergraduate students

Follow the regular undergraduate application process to register for courses.

Undergraduate Indigenous students also receive a reduction of fees.

Graduate students

Follow the regular graduate application process for registering in courses.

A letter from the sponsor must have the following:

• On company letterhead that is signed and dated.
• Addressed to Athabasca University.
• Indicate the term of being sponsored.
• Indicate that they will cover the costs and what the costs are.
• Indicate that Athabasca University can invoice for payment.
• Sponsor’s contact information, including the email address for invoicing.
• Include the student's full name, email address, or AU ID number if applicable.
• If the sponsor is covering the application fee, this must be stated in the letter.

An invoice will be sent to the sponsor for payment once your file is processed.

Student lines of credit

Your financial institution may have a student product that could benefit you. In most banks, it is known as a personal line of credit, and you can get up to $10,000 per academic year if you are a full-time student or up to $5000 if you are part-time. Also, some banks offer professional lines of credit if you are enrolled in a program leading to a professional degree; for example, medicine, dentistry, chiropractic, optometry, pharmacy, veterinary medicine, Master of Business Administration (MBA) and accountancy. If you do not qualify for a government student loan, this may be another option you can explore.

• ATB Financial
• Bank of Montreal
• CIBC
• Royal Bank
• Scotiabank
• TD Canada Trust

Canadian Forces

If you are a member of the Canadian Forces, you are eligible for Continuing Education Subsidies for university studies. Visit a Canadian Forces Recruiting Centre.

Employers

Check with your employer to see if they will pay for your courses. Some companies have plans to refund or provide you with tuition money if your courses relate to work.

Lifelong Learning Plan (LLP)

Do you have an RRSP? If so, look into the Lifelong Learning Plan. It allows you to borrow up to $10,000 per year from your RRSP to help you or your partner pay for your full-time education. If you have a disability, you may qualify to attend part-time. For more information, visit the Canada Customs and Revenue Agency.

Provincial and territorial Workers' Compensation Boards (WCB)

You may be eligible for funding if you are receiving compensation benefits and need some retraining. The WCB reviews each claim on its own merit and then determines what is in the best interest of the injured worker and the WCB. Please check with your provincial WCB.

Scholarships, grants, and bursaries

This is financial assistance you do not have to repay! Scholarships are generally based on academic grades or a combination of achievement and financial need. Grants and bursaries are typically based on financial need and may include other qualifying criteria. For awards and bursaries, explore the awards finder.

External awards

Different from the AU-administered awards detailed above, many scholarships, grants, and bursaries are available through external agencies and bodies. Explore external award opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students.

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Additional funding resources

• Accessibility Services has information and links to various funding sources for students with disabilities.
• Universities Canada lists scholarships available at the undergraduate and graduate levels.
• CanLearn – Government of Canada
• Graduate Student Research Funding Opportunities at AU
• Scholarships and Bursaries for Alberta
• Scholarships Canada
• StudentAwards.com