What's New 2015-16
Policy, Procedure and System Changes
Contents
Introduction…………………………………………………………………………...4
Student Aid Alberta Operational Policy and Procedure Manual…………………………… ...…………………………..4
Section 1: Eligibility for Student Aid .......................................... 4
Residency .................................................................................................................................................. 4
Grant Eligibility .......................................................................................................................................... 5
Changes to Income Thresholds ............................................................................................................. 5
Low-Income Thresholds ........................................................................................................................ 5
Middle-Income Thresholds ................................................................................................................... 5
Alberta Low-Income Grant.................................................................................................................... 6
Maintenance Grant .............................................................................................................................. 6
Alberta Completion Incentive Grant (CIG) ............................................................................................ 6
Allowable Costs..............................................................................................................................6
Tuition and Books Award Exception ..................................................................................................... 6
Living Allowances .................................................................................................................................. 6
Childcare ............................................................................................................................................... 7
Student Resources.................................................................................................................................... 8
Increased Loan Limits ............................................................................................................................... 8
Annual Loan Limits ................................................................................................................................ 8
Annual Loan Limits for Professional & Post Graduate Programs.......................................................... 9
Lifetime Loan Limits .............................................................................................................................. 9
Loan Limits for Commercial Aviation .................................................................................................. 10
Apprentice and Pre-Employment Programs.......................................................................................... 10
Apprentice Programs .......................................................................................................................... 10
Applying .............................................................................................................................................. 11
Interest Free Status for Registered Apprentices................................................................................. 11
Pre-Employment Programs ................................................................................................................. 11
Applying for Pre-Employment Training .............................................................................................. 11
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Section 2: Full-Time Student Aid ............................................. 11
Applying for Student Aid ........................................................................................................................ 11
After Applying ........................................................................................................................................ 12
Student Award Letter (SAL)................................................................................................................. 12
Grant Disbursements ............................................................................................................................. 12
Grant Disbursement Table .................................................................................................................. 14
Replacing Grant Cheques .................................................................................................................... 14
Grant Overpayments .............................................................................................................................. 14
Section 3: Part-Time Student Aid ............................................ 14
Part-Time Application ............................................................................................................................ 14
Distribution of Part-Time Student Aid ................................................................................................ 14
Section 4: Permanent Disability .............................................. 15
No Changes
Section 5: Student Aid Review Process ................................... 15
Section 6: Repayment ............................................................. 15
No Changes
Section 7: Other Changes to Studend Aid ............................... 16
Alexander Rutherford for High School Achievement Scholarship........................................................ 16
First Period Apprentice Award............................................................................................................... 16
Study at Educational Institutions Outside of Alberta – New Process for Session Dates/Costs........... 16
Responsive Web Design ......................................................................................................................... 16
Email Verification ................................................................................................................................... 16
Section 8: Client Services……………………………………………………..17
Escalation of Issues ........................................................................................................................ 17
Client Resolution Unit (CRU) ............................................................................................................... 17
Student Aid Contacts for Educational Institutions ........................................................................... 17
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Introduction
What’s New 2015-16 outlines Student Aid program, system, and policy changes occurring in the loan
year beginning August 1, 2015 to July 31, 2016. This document is intended to assist administrators and
staff at post-secondary institutions to identify how major changes occurring in the 2015-16 loan year will
affect specific categories of students.
Unless otherwise indicated, all changes are effective August 1, 2015.
The topics contained in What’s New parallel the more specific policy and procedure information
contained in a soon to be released Student Aid Alberta Operational Policy and Procedure Manual.
Student Aid Alberta Operational Policy and Procedure Manual
Student Aid Alberta will release a comprehensive Operational Policy and Procedure (OPP) Manual in
early July. The new manual will provide the most up-to-date, policy and procedural guidance regarding
the student aid program for both full-time and part-time students – right from application through to
repayment.
It will replace the Program Guide and all other previous student aid policies. It is intended as the primary
reference point for policy and procedure guidance regarding student aid in Alberta for post-secondary
schools, students and Student Aid Alberta staff.
Users are advised to refer to the Operational Policy and Procedure manual to obtain specific information
on all new policy/procedures for Student Aid Alberta.
Section 1: Eligibility for Student Aid
Residency
Once a student is considered an Alberta resident, the student may continue to apply for and receive
Student Aid Alberta funding during each subsequent consecutive year in which the student remains
continuously enrolled. This remains true whether the student is:
•
•
in the same/different program of study, and
enrolled at the same/different educational institution
When a student in this situation takes a 12 month break in studies, the student’s residency must be
re-established before a new application can be processed.
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Grant Eligibility
Changes to Income Thresholds
Applies to:
•
•
Full-time and part-time students
Federal and provincial assessment calculations
The federal low-income and middle-income thresholds have increased. These amounts are used to
calculate eligibility for Canada Student Grants, the Alberta Low Income Grant, and part time funding.
Low-Income Thresholds
Family Size
2015-16 Low-Income
Threshold (in $)
2014-15 Low-Income
Threshold (in $)
1
24,601
23,978
2
30,628
29,852
3
37,654
36,700
4
45,715
44,557
5
51,851
50,537
6
58,478
56,996
7 or more
65,107
63,457
Middle Income Thresholds
Family Size
2015-16 Middle-Income
Threshold (in $)
2014-15 Middle-Income
Threshold (in $)
1
47,486
46,283
2
66,481
64,796
3
79,683
77,664
4
89,043
86,787
5
96,314
93,873
6
102,247
99,656
7 or more
107,266
104,548
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Alberta Low-Income Grant (ALIG)
Applies to:
•
•
Full-time students
Provincial assessment calculation
The Alberta Low-Income Grant amount has increased from $120 per month to $250 per month.
This grant is available to low-income students whose total program duration is 12 months or less.
Maintenance Grant (MG)
Maintenance Grant will no longer be paid on a monthly basis, and no longer be disbursed at the end of
the study period. As with other grants, students enrolled in one semester will receive the entire
disbursement at the beginning of the study period. Students enrolled in more than one semester will
receive 50% at the beginning of the study period and 50% at the midpoint of the study period.
In all cases, students must be financially responsible for another individual (i.e. spouse/ex-spouse or
dependent), in order to be considered for Maintenance Grant.
Alberta Completion Incentive Grant (CIG)
The Alberta Completion Incentive Grant (CIG) program will be discontinued as of July 31, 2015. It may be
awarded to students who complete their program on or before July 31, 2015.
Allowable Costs
Tuition and Books Award Exception
If the provincial calculated need results in no award or an award less than the costs of tuition,
mandatory fees, and books/supplies/instruments, an Alberta Student Loan may be issued to cover
tuition, mandatory fees and books. Consideration for this award is not automatic. Students may contact
Student Aid Alberta to request consideration for this award. A family budget is no longer required.
Living Allowances
Federal and provincial living allowances have both increased and are now the same.
Applies to:
•
•
Full-time students
Federal and provincial calculations
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Living Allowances
Household
Status
2015-16 Monthly
Total (in $)
Single student
living with parents
2014-15 Monthly
Total (in $)
$525
$432
Single student
living away from
parents
$1,099
$941
Married/Common
Law without
children
$2,119
$2,004
Single parent with
one child
$1,940
S1,710
With dependent Married/Common
children
Law with one child
$2,696
$2,453
$577
$449
No dependent
children
Each additional
child
Childcare
Applies to:
•
•
Full-time and part-time students
Federal and provincial calculations
In the 2014-15 funding year, Student Aid Alberta allowed $75 per child per month without receipts and
up to $724 per child per month with receipts for both the federal and provincial assessments. Students
receiving childcare subsidy should continue to report the actual amount they pay (the parent portion).
In 2015-16, students will be allowed the amount they request up to the following maximums:
Federal
•
•
•
Up to $724 per child per month without
receipts or statement from childcare provider
Up to $1,200 per child per month with
receipts or statement from childcare provider
Childcare costs will not be considered if the
student’s spouse/partner is unemployed
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Provincial
•
•
•
Up to $724 per child per month without
receipts or statement from childcare provider
Up to $1,200 per child per month with
receipts or statement from childcare provider
Childcare costs will be considered regardless
of spouse/partner’s employment status
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Student Resources
Applies to:
•
•
Full-time and part-time students
Provincial calculations
Employment Insurance benefits, spouse/partner earnings, and Tax-Free Savings Accounts will not be
used as resources to determine provincial funding eligibility. Tax-Free Savings Accounts were previously
reported as assets and will now be reported as savings. Resources are still used in addition to the flat
rate student contribution of $1,500 when received within the study period.
Type of Resource
Used in Provincial
Assessment
Used in Federal
Assessment
Where to Report
on Application
Employment Insurance (EI)
No
Yes
Monthly Resources
Spouse/Partner Earnings
No
Yes
Monthly Resources
Tax-Free Savings Account (TFSA)
No
Yes
Other Resources Savings
Increased Loan Limits
The student loan limit increases for 2015-16 are effective for full-time study periods
beginning on or after August 1, 2015.
Annual Loan Limits
Length of Study Period
2015-16
2014-15
1 Semester (1-4 months)
$7,500
$6,650
2 Semesters (5-9 months)
$15,000
$13,300
3 Semesters (10-12 months)
$22,500
$19,950
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Annual Loan Limits for Professional & Post Graduate Programs
Students attending Dental Hygiene (years 1 and 3), Veterinary Medicine, Chiropractic Medicine,
Optometry and Pharmacy programs will now automatically be considered for extra semesters of
funding. Students in these programs who have calculated need above the annual loan limits are no
longer required to submit a request for reconsideration.
Programs
2 semesters
3 semesters
Dental Hygiene
Pharmacy
Master of Business Administration
Law
Other Graduate and Doctoral Programs
$22,500
$30,000
Medicine
Dentistry
Veterinary Medicine
Chiropractic Medicine
Optometry
$22,500
$37,500
Lifetime Loan Limits
Programs
2015-16
2014-15
Undergraduate Programs including Certificate, Diploma,
Bachelor’s Degree, and Journeyman Certificate
$75,000
$60,000
Dental Hygiene
$85,000
$75,000
Pharmacy, Graduate
$100,000
$75,000
Master of Business Administration, Law, Doctoral
$125,000
$95,000
Veterinary Medicine, Chiropractic Medicine, Optometry
$175,000
$95,000
Medicine, Dentistry
$175,000
$150,000
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Loan Limits for Commercial Aviation
In order to address the funding needs of students taking commercial flight training and commercial
helicopter training, Student Aid is allowing the equivalent of two semesters of funding for each
component of flight training. Previously, students attending a flight training program were only eligible
for one semester of funding per fixed wing training component. Students taking helicopter training will
also be eligible for additional funding.
Commercial Flight Training
2015-16
2014-15
1 Component
$15,000
$6,650
2 Components
$30,000
$13,300
3 Components
$45,000
$19,950
4 Components
$60,000
$26,600
$60,000
$26,600
Commercial Helicopter Training
Entire Program
Apprentice and Pre-Employment Programs
Applies to:
•
•
Full-time students
Provincial calculations
Apprentice Programs
Apprentice programs are now eligible (designated) for Alberta Student Aid at certain institutions where
the Minister has approved the apprentice program(s).
If a student is attending a Minister-approved program, and is registered as an apprentice with
Apprenticeship and Industry Training (AIT), they may be eligible for Alberta loans and grants.
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Applying
Registered apprentices applying for Student Aid will select Apprenticeship as the program, and select
their trade as the program specialization. The program outcome will be Journeyman Certificate.
The institute will be required to provide a Confirmation of Registration of full-time status before funding
will be released. Apprenticeship programs are not designated for part- time funding or federal student
aid.
Apprenticeship Technical Training components are considered multi-year programs of study.
Interest-Free Status for Registered Apprentices
Apprentices registered with Apprenticeship and Industry Training will be allowed interest-free status on
their Alberta Student Loans for the duration of their program including on-the-job training.
Pre-Employment Programs
Pre-employment programs are now eligible (designated) for Alberta Student Aid at certain institutions
where the Minister has approved the pre-employment program(s).
Applying for Pre-Employment Programs
Students will select Pre-Employment as the program when applying, and indicate their trade as the
program specialization. Pre-employment programs are considered certificate level programs (one year
or less). These programs are not designated for part-time funding or federal student aid.
Section 2: Full-time Student Aid
Applying for Student Aid
The 2015-16 full-time application will be available online in early July. Students must apply for funding
online at studentaid.alberta.ca through the Students Finance System (SFS). Paper applications for fulltime studies will not be available on the website this year.
Students who are unable to apply online will be required to call the Student Aid Alberta Service Centre
(SAASC) at 1-855-606-2096 to request a PDF version of the application. In order to assist in the
facilitation of the student aid counseling process, a new application worksheet will be posted as a PDF
on the Student Aid Alberta website. It will help students to gather the necessary information required to
submit their application online through the SFS system.
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Electronic Document Upload
Students can submit supporting documents (such as Aviation Training Forms, Schedules, and responses
to Missing Information requests) electronically through SFS after applying online.
After Applying
Student Award Letter (SAL)
The Notice of Assessment (NOA) will now be referred to as the Student Award Letter (SAL).
After an application is processed, a SAL letter providing details about the student’s award and
disbursement schedule is mailed to the student’s home address.
Students can view their SAL by logging onto the Students Finance System (SFS) at:
•
studentaid.alberta.ca
Grant Disbursements
For students with a study period beginning on or after August 1, 2015:
•
Full-time students who provided bank account information on their Master Student Financial
Assistance Agreements (MSFAAs) will now receive some federal and provincial grants by direct
deposit.
•
Part-time students will be mailed a Certificate of Eligibility - Part-Time Canada Student Loans
and Grants – Schedule 1A for their federal part-time loans and grants. If eligible, Student Aid
Alberta will mail a cheque for the Alberta Part-Time Grant to the student’s home address once
student enrollment is confirmed:
o
Exception:
Grant disbursements for study periods beginning before August 1, 2015 will be paid by
Student Aid Alberta via grant cheques mailed to the student’s home address.
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Grant Disbursement Table
On August 1, 2015 the following funding types will be disbursed as follows:
Fund Type
Direct
Deposit
Tuition
Remittance
Disbursed By/
Contact Information:
Federal Grants (Canada Student Grant for: )
Students from Low Income Families (CSG-LI)
✓
✓
Students from Middle Income Families (CSG-MI)
✓
✓
Full-time Students with Dependents (CSG-FTDEP)
✓
✓
Students with Permanent Disabilities (CSG-PD)
✓
✓
Services and Equipment for Students with
Permanent Disabilities (CSG-PDSE)
✓
X
Part-Time Studies (CSG-PT)
✓
✓
Part-Time Students with Dependents (CSG-PTDEP)
✓
NSLSC
✓
Provincial Grants
✓
Alberta Low Income Grant (ALIG)
✓
Maintenance Grant (MG)
✓
✓
Alberta Grant for Students with Disabilities (GFD)
✓
X
[Disbursements & Student
Loan Repayment].
Alberta Part-Time Grant (APTG)
X
X
SAASC
SAASC
Select Phone Menu:
Option 3
Select Phone Menu:
Option 1
[Application Inquiry, Status
& Scholarships]
Scholarships [includes First Period Apprentice Award]
Scholarships
June 2015
X
X
SAASC
Select Phone Menu:
Option 1
[Application Inquiry, Status
& Scholarships]
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Replacing Grant Cheques
Student Aid Alberta will not reissue a grant cheque if the application period for which the grant
was awarded has ended.
o
Exception:
Grant cheques issued by Student Aid Alberta that have been stale-dated (180 days
after issue) may be reissued if the student can provide a copy of the original cheque
to Student Aid Alberta.
Grant Overpayments
As of August 1, 2015, the early withdrawal date will change from 15 days to 30 days to align with the
Canada Student Loans Program (CSLP) policy with respect to calculating provincial grant overpayments.
Effective July 1, 2015, once an overpayment has been calculated a student is given 60 days to request
reconsideration of the overpayment. Prior to July 1, 2015, a student had 90 days to request
reconsideration of the overpayment.
Section 3: Part-time Student Aid
Part-Time Application
There are no changes to the part-time application. Students apply by completing the Application for
Financial Assistance for Part-Time Post-Secondary Studies. This application cannot be submitted
electronically. Application forms may be printed from:
•
studentaid.alberta.ca/applying-for-funding/part-time-students/
Distribution of Part-Time Student Aid
If a student’s study period begins:
On or after August 1, 2015:
•
Federal part-time loans and grants will be issued by Certificate and mailed to the student.
o
Exception:
For students attending Athabasca University, the Certificate is mailed directly to the
school.
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•
For students eligible for the Alberta Part-Time Grant, Student Aid Alberta will contact the
educational institution directly to request confirmation of registration prior to mailing the grant
cheque to the student.
Prior to August 1, 2015:
•
A Certificate will be mailed to the student indicating the amount of the Part-Time Canada
Student Loan (if applicable).
Section 4: Permanent Disability
There are no changes to this section.
Section 5: Student Aid Review Process
Applies to:
•
•
Full-time and part-time students
Federal and provincial assessment calculation
When students are dissatisfied with a decision made by Student Aid Alberta, they have the right to
request the decision be reviewed. The new review process has been streamlined and allows students to
request higher levels of review when they consider it necessary.
There are three stages to the process:
•
•
•
Level 1 – Request for Reconsideration (formerly Change of Circumstance)
Level 2 – Request for Executive Review
Level 3 – Ministerial Review
In situations where the student’s request does not require any supporting documentation, requests can
be made verbally by calling the Student Aid Alberta Service Center.
Section 6: Repayment
There are no changes to this section.
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Section 7: Other Changes to Student Aid
Alexander Rutherford for High School Achievement Scholarship
The application for the Alexander Rutherford Scholarship is now available online on the Student Finance
System (SFS). Students will no longer be required to submit a PDF or paper version of the application.
A paper application will be available by request to the Student Aid Alberta Service Centre for students
who are unable to apply online.
There are no application deadlines for the Alexander Rutherford Scholarship, however students should
apply once they have been accepted to their post-secondary educational institution.
To learn more, visit:
•
studentaid.alberta.ca/scholarships/
First Period Apprentice Award
The new First Period Apprentice Award will be in place by July 2, 2015. It is an incentive-based award
valued at $750 to be mailed by cheque directly to recipients. There is no application for the award:
Student Aid Alberta will receive a list of eligible recipients from Apprenticeship Industry Training.
For more information, please visit:
•
studentaid.alberta.ca/scholarships/
Study at Educational Institutions Outside of Alberta
New Process for Session Dates and Costs
Starting July 1, 2015, students attending educational institutions outside of Alberta can enter session
dates and costs on their online application. The fields will not pre-populate when a student indicates
they are attending a post-secondary school outside of Alberta.
Out of province educational institutions will be required to confirm the student’s registration.
Responsive Web Design
The Students Finance System (SFS) will be optimized for desktop systems, iPads and iPhones. Students
will now be able to apply online for full-time student aid and the Alexander Rutherford scholarship on a
wider variety of devices. Post-secondary schools will see enhancements to the Confirmation of
Registration (COR) screens, and learners will see enhancements to the Learner Inquiry screens.
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Email Verification
In preparation for Alberta Student Aid Electronic Correspondence, students using the online application
to apply for full-time studies or the Alexander Rutherford High School Achievement Scholarship will be
required to provide a valid email address.
Email addresses will be verified via the Enterprise Communication Confirmation Service (ECCS).
This service generates an email message to the student requesting they verify the email address
provided. Once verified, SFS will allow the application to be submitted and will store it for future use.
When the Electronic Correspondence is implemented, the system will send an email notification to the
student advising them they can view new correspondence online by logging into SFS.
The above process applies to online applications only. Students who apply via paper application will not
have their email address verified.
Section 8: Client Services
Escalation of Issues
Client Resolution Unit (CRU)
In past years, educational institutions having questions/concerns regarding Student Aid policy or
procedures were directed to the Program Services Delivery Unit (PSDU).
As part of an effort to improve customer service, PSDU will no longer be responding to these types of
questions as the Client Resolution Unit (CRU) will assume this function and respond to client resolution
inquires as of the start of new 2015-16 funding year. This is in addition to their normal mandate of
responding to complex student issues escalated from Student Aid Alberta Service Centre.
Student Aid Contacts for Educational Institutions
Complex student issues, policy and procedure questions, or concerns are to be directed to the CRU by
contacting:
Student Aid Alberta Service Centre:
•
•
Tel: 1-855-606-2096 (Select Menu Option 4: Educational Institution)
Email: cru@gov.ab.ca
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