Undergraduate Fees, Refunds, Financial Assistance

7.3 Financial Assistance

Financial assistance is available to part-time and full-time students from their local financial aid agency. Full-time students may be eligible for loans, grants, bursaries or scholarships. Part-time students (students completing fewer than nine credits in a four-month period or eighteen credits in an eight-month period) may be eligible for bursaries, loans or grants. The amount of loan or bursary varies according to need.

The regular course contract dates of six and twelve months are reduced to four and eight months for full-time Athabasca University students receiving financial aid. The regular six- and twelve-month contract dates apply to full-time students at other institutions who are taking only one or two courses with Athabasca University. All start dates per semester must be the same. The regulations on course load and course completion requirements for Alberta Students Finance are subject to change at any time.

The regulations for funding require that academic progress be monitored. Students with student loans must also consider the minimum course requirements of their loan programs. Typically, this requires three courses per four-month funding period in order to maintain your full-time loan status.

7.3.1 How to Apply

Alberta Residents

To obtain a Financial Aid Package that contains application forms, please contact Athabasca University. The signed study plan, the Application for Financial Assistance, and, if applicable, the Undergraduate General Application Form and non-refundable application fee, are submitted to the Office of the Registrar for endorsement and forwarded to Alberta Students Finance for processing.

Processing of applications may take up to twelve weeks from the time that complete documentation is received. You should apply for funding a minimum of three months before your anticipated course start date.

Outside Alberta

Please contact your local financial aid agency to obtain a financial aid package. Before the financial aid application is sent to the agency, you should contact Athabasca University and a Financial Aid Advisor will help you complete your financial aid application.

You should apply for funding at least three months before your anticipated course start date. Requested dates for funding periods cannot be changed without reassessment of the loan certificate by the particular student financial aid agency.

Email: Athabasca University

7.3.2 Student Awards

Athabasca University offers a variety of student awards, scholarships, and bursaries. A complete list of award descriptions can be found online.

Website: Student Awards
Email: awardsinfo@athabascau.ca
1.800.788.9041 (ext. 6197)
1.780.675.6197