Student loans/government funding

There are a number of forms of funding available through the provincial and federal government, including student loans, grants and bursaries.

The toughest part of the application process might be determining what kind of funding to apply for. Since there are different categories of funding available, depending on the program and/or course load you will be taking, it's important to determine whether you should apply for full-time, part-time or Skills Investment/Alberta Works funding.

If you are not sure which type of funding you should apply for, please contact the Student Awards and Financial Aid Office for assistance.

Full-time student loan / grant funding
View eligibility requirements for full-time funding

Part-time student loan/grant funding
View eligibility requirements for part-time funding

Skills investment funding
View eligibility requirements for skills investment funding

Information for full-time student loan/grant funding: eligibility requirements

In order to qualify for a full-time student loan (government funding):

You must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident (landed immigrant). international students should visit the International Students page for more information on how to fund their education.
You must be enrolled in at least 60% of a full course load in a post-secondary program of study that leads to a degree, diploma, or certificate.

At Mount Royal, 60% of a full course load for the fall and winter semesters is normally equal to at least three university-level courses and a minimum of nine credits each semester.

Please note that since Open Studies is not recognized as leading to a credential, while in Open Studies you are only eligible to receive student loan funding for twelve cumulative months. You also need to know that time spent in Open Studies will count as the first year towards your intended program for loan purposes.

You can also be considered for full-time funding if you are enrolled full-time in one of the following Continuing Education programs:

If you are enrolled in less than a full-time course load, as outlined above, please see the part-time student loan / grant funding section below.

Students who will be registered in one of the following programs, should see the Skills Investment / Alberta Works funding section:

Information for part-time student loan/grant funding: eligibility requirements

In order to apply for part-time government funding you must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident (landed immigrant). international students should visit the International Students page for more information on how to fund their education.
Part-time funding is income based so you must demonstrate financial need based on last year’s income and current assets.
To be eligible you must be enrolled in at least 20% and no more than 59% of a course load which is defined by the following criteria:
- less than three university-level courses or less than nine credits
- one or two academic upgrading (high-school level courses and less than 18 hours of class time per week
- part-time registration in one of the following Continuing Education programs

Information for skills investment funding: eligibility requirements

The Skills Investment Program provides financial assistance for full-time learners in the following programs:

Skills investment funding is available for learners pursuing a certificate program.