Student loans
Find information on student loans and other forms of funding.
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July
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Apply for Fall/Winter semester student loans Apply for Spring semester student loans
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September/January/April
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Pay your tuition and fees
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Alberta students attending AUArts may be eligible for financial aid through Explore Education and Training options in Alberta-alis
- Informative video on student loans and grants
- Video on Alberta Student Aid applications
- Alberta Student Aid FAQ - Government of Alberta
Government loans have several unique features because they are designed specifically for students:
- Loans are interest-free as long as you remain a full-time student and keep your provincial and/or federal student loans issuer apprised of this.
- Interest-free status information for full-time and part-time students as well as students with special circumstances (see video).
- As well, you may qualify for provincial and/or federal grants.
- Students who are not Alberta residents may be eligible for financial aid (provincial or federal student loan programs) through their home province or territory.
Students are encouraged to apply for their student loans early to ensure the student aid funding is approved and confirmed, so you are able to pay your tuition and fees by the payment deadline.
Note: Fee payment deadlines for each Term are posted in the Academic Schedule.
US students
The Alberta University of the Arts does not participate in the Title IV – US Federal Student Aid Program, which includes the US Direct Loan Program. This means AUArts is not an option on the FAFSA form, and students would not be eligible to receive funding through the US Direct Loan Program while attending this university.
Sallie Mae Private Loan: US students can apply for a private loan through Sallie Mae.
Dual Citizens: If students are dual citizens of Canada and the United States, it is recommended as a first option that students investigate the Canada student loan program to financially support studying in Canada.
Alberta student loan information
When applying for Alberta Student Aid, ensure the student loan application forms are the new 2021/2022 forms that are now available. Review the following links for important student loan information.
- Home | Alberta Student Aid
- How to Apply | Alberta Student Aid
- After you're approved | Alberta Student Aid
- What's New | Alberta Student Aid
For more information, please call Alberta Student Aid Service Centre toll-free anywhere in North America at 1-855-606-2096 and choose Option #1.
Completing your student loan application
Click on the Multi-Select Box to choose the Program / Specialization / Year of studies that the student is registered in during 2021-2022.
First Year Studies Students: Program: Bachelor of Fine Arts AND Specialization: First Year Studies AND that you are in the 1st Year of a 4 Year program.
Direct Entry Students: Program: Bachelor of Fine Arts OR Bachelor of Design AND Specialization: What Program You Are Accepted Into AND what year are in, example: 2nd Year of a 4 Year program.
Important: Prior to completing your student loan application, please ensure you refer to your Student Profile on webService for this information (Program/Major/Year). If the information you complete on your student loan application is not the same as your AUArts webService - Student Profile information, your student loan cannot be confirmed by AUArts and you will have to cancel your student loan application and re-apply online.
Minimum course load
Students must be registered in a minimum of 9 credit course load per semester (Fall and Winter) to be eligible to have their student loan confirmed. The Student Loan Office will be notified regarding students who drop below nine credits during the school year.
The minimum course load for students with a documented permanent disability is a minimum of six credits per semester (Fall and Winter) to be eligible to have their student loan confirmed.
Semester dates and educational fees
Click on the Multi-Select box for the term you are applying for on your student loan application. If you want to apply for student loan funding for the academic year, select the following:
Start Date: 01-Sept 2021 AND End Date: 30-Apr-2022.
Amounts will pop up automatically (shaded light grey). Type those amounts in the boxes provided on your application:
- Tuition
- Mandatory Fees
- Books & Supplies
See information on UArts tuition fees, mandatory fees, books + supplies.
Academic progress for student loans
Students are eligible for student loan funding for the specified number of years in the program of study plus one year. For example, AUArts undergraduate students are eligible for student loans for a maximum of five years.
Students with a documented permanent disability are exempt from the program length plus one year limit, but are still subject to the lifetime loan limits.
Students who withdraw from two study periods after having received student aid funding will not be eligible for additional funding for 12 months. However, this withdrawal rule does not apply to students changing their status to part-time studies.
MSFAA Loan Agreements (Alberta and Canada)
Student aid agreements are legal agreements between you and the loan provider. They are also called “Master Student Financial Assistance Agreements” (MSFAAs).
There are separate agreements for Alberta and Canada loans. Full-time students may have two student aid agreements if they have both an Alberta and a Canada loan. Part-time students can only get a Canada loan, so they’ll only have one agreement.
You must complete agreement(s) if:
- this is your first time getting student aid
- you’ve had a two-year break or longer since last being in school, or
- you have previous student aid from another province
MSFAA Alberta Loan Agreement
First-time provincial borrowers, students must print, complete and submit their Alberta loan agreement before funding will be disbursed to the student.
MSFAA Canada Loan Agreement
First-time federal borrowers, the Canada Student Loan Program (CSLP) is an electronic MSFAA process which requires students to submit their Canada loan agreement electronically through the National Student Loan Service Centre (NSLSC) website.
For more information on both Alberta Loan Agreement and Canada MSFAAs, see
Parent/guardian access to your information
Your parent(s)/guardian or a designated individual may want to assist with aspects of your student aid and AB scholarships/awards.
Alberta Student Aid respects your privacy by keeping in strict confidence all personal information pertaining to your financial aid and awards accounts. Student Aid will disclose your personal information or give someone else the authority to act on your behalf only after you have signed and submitted one of the following forms:
Grant programs for students with disabilities
Students with documented disabilities may be eligible to receive supplemental grant funding. These grants, available through the Student Loan/supplemental application (e.g. a Schedule 4 in Alberta) are linked to the Student Loan application. In some instances, grants may replace a portion of student loans, decreasing the amount of debt a student will carry from year to year.
In some instances, and based on the supplemental application, grants can be issued to provide funds for supportive learning services, such as tutoring, academic strategy, note taking, supportive software and other goods and services.
For details on grant programs, please review the Student Loans and Grants Funding Guide or email Student Services at learning.assistance@auarts.ca.
Repayment
Most students leave school with an Alberta student loan and a Canada student loan. Having two government loans means you need to handle two debts and two payment schedules.
Video: Alberta Student Aid - Repaying Your Loan
Your Alberta loan is managed through My Loan and your Canada loan is managed through the National Student Loans Service Centre (NSLSC) Online Services. You must create individual accounts through these websites and handle your repayments separately.
- Grace Period – Students are not required to make payments during the first six months, beginning the first day of the month after your end date. This applies to both Alberta and Canada loans.
- Repayment - This begins six months after you leave school. A monthly repayment schedule is set up for you automatically, and interest is added to your loan balance monthly. You may be eligible to receive a tax credit for interest paid on your student loans.
- Determine Your Payments by using the Government of Canada’s loan repayment estimator. Students can adjust their repayment details at any time to accommodate their life and financial situation.
- Customize Repayment Details by using the MyLoan account for Alberta loans and to change the frequency of your payments, call the Student Aid Service Centre . For Canada Loans, use NSLSC account and to change the frequency of your payments, call NSLSC. Learn more about adjusting repayment details.
- Missed Payments – Learn about the consequences of defaulting on your loans.
- Difficulties Making Payments – Do not ignore your obligations. You can apply for the Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP).
- Borrowers with permanent disabilities may qualify for an enhanced Repayment Assistance Plan (for Alberta loans only). In extreme circumstances, a borrower with a permanent disability may be eligible for loan forgiveness.
Questions?
AUArts Financial Aid and Student Awards Office:
Email: awards@auarts.ca
Phone: 403.338.5506