Funding

You might be eligible for: 

• Canada Student Grant for Students with Permanent Disabilities 

• Canada Student Grant for Services and Equipment for Students with Permanent Disabilities

• Alberta Grant for Students with Permanent Disabilities (for students that are not eligible for Federal Funding). 

• Canada Student Grant for full-time Students (non disability-related)

• Federal and/or Provincial Student Loans (if  you need a loan)

For more details, please check this handout and visit the Student Aid Alberta Website. 

NOTE: Students receiving aid from another province or territory should contact their province or territory to learn more about the disability-related programs available.

To receive a disability-related grant, you must first submit an application to Student Aid Alberta. You do not have to receive loans to get a grant, but you still need to submit the application so that Student Aid Alberta can determine your eligibility. Once your application is completed, SAS will submit the grant paperwork on your behalf. 

Step 1 - Submit an application online by visiting Student Aid Alberta at www.studentaid.alberta.ca.

In the application, you can ask for a combination of loans and grants or grant funding only.  

If you need help applying or have questions, please contact one of our Financial Aid Advisors

In Person- Student & Enrolment Services, HA120 Phone # 780-479-9220

Email: finaid@concordia.ab.ca

Step 2 - Contact SAS and discuss which disability-related grants you what to apply for. SAS will go over your funding options with you and submit your grant application.  

Step 3 - Once Student Aid Alberta processes your applications, you will receive a Student Award letter which tells you if you are eligible for funding and how much you can expect to receive.

Funding will be issued when these 3 conditions are met:

• You have completed your student aid agreements (Federal and or Provincial)

• You have completed the financial agreements that apply to you (Federal and/or Provincial)

• CUE has confirmed your registration (CUE may request tuition from your funding)

• You are within 1 week of school starting (the earliest funding can be issued each term).

For more information, please check this link.

1. I’ve been approved for $1800 for a laptop and $300 for tutoring. I ended up spending $1400 on my laptop. Can I use the remaining $400 on tutoring instead of returning that money?

No. Normally, when a student spends over the amount they were approved for on an item and or service, they are responsible for the additional cost on their own. Reallocations are technically possible, but this is an exception and the SAS Advisor needs to submit the proper paperwork.

2. Do I have to buy the same item that I used for a price estimate? 

No, but you will need to stick to the amount of money you were given for the item. Otherwise, you will have to pay the difference.

3. When do I have to reconcile my grant?

You must reconcile your grant at the end of your study period. For example, if your funding application is for Fall and Winter, you must submit your receipts by the end of the Winter semester.

4. What happens if I do not reconcile my grant?

if you do not reconcile your grant, your grant will be treated as an overpayment. Student Aid then will send you an electronic letter requesting the repayment of the entire grant or the unused portion - whichever is applicable. If you do not send the money back, Student Aid will recover the amount by reducing future Services & Equipment Grants until the amount is recovered. If you have an Alberta Grant for Student with Disabilities, your overpayment will turn into a loan. This will affect your credit score, so be careful.

5. How can I send unused funds back to the Government?

Either write a cheque or a money order to the Government of Alberta (the address to send your cheque or money order can be found at the bottom of the reconciliation of funds worksheet). Alternatively, you can send an e-transfer. 

Please instructions on page 2-3 of your award letter.

6. I have got a lump sum of money into my account and I do not remember the breakdown of my grant. How can I check the amount I am approved for on an item and or service?

The SAS Advisor will always send everyone that received this grant a copy of their application. Please check your inbox for that email. Additionally, you can check the amount you are approved for on any item and or services by logging into your Student Aid Account and checking your student award letter (please read page 2 of your award letter).

7. I applied for funding online and was turned down for funding. Does this mean I cannot get any Services and Equipment funding?

No. That only means you are not eligible for Federal Funding. Once the disability paperwork is processed, you should be able to get the Alberta Grant for Students with Disabilities-which is the Provincial equivalent of the Canada Services and Equipment Grant.

8. How can I track my application? 

You can keep track of your application by logging into your Student Aid Account. Additionally, you can check the application dates that Student aid is currently working on by visiting the student aid website and checking the Request for Review dates.

NOTE:  You can check your Student Aid to follow the progress of your grant application and know when it's processed. We recommend signing up for email and text messages notifications, so you can receive an email/and or text once the paperwork has been processed.

9. Will the loan and grant funding go to Concordia, or will it be deposited into my bank account?

Student Aid chooses what funding is issued to Concordia at the start of each term. Our Student Accounts Office will make a tuition request to cover your tuition and the funds are sent to us around the start of the semester. All remaining funds get deposited into your bank account. This applies for Loans and Grants with the exception of the Alberta Grant for Students with Disabilities and The Canada Services & Equipment Grant.

10. What are the deadlines to apply for Disability Funding?

Answer:  Deadlines for Disability-Related Grants

• Canada Student Grant for Students with Permanent Disabilities 

30 days prior to to the end of your current study period. 

• Canada Student Grant for Students with Permanent Disabilities- Services & Alberta Grant for Students with Permanent Disabilities (Services). 

 30 days prior to to the end of your current study period.

• Canada Student Grant for Students with Permanent Disabilities - Equipment or Alberta Grant for Students with Permanent Disabilities (Equipment).

Study periods between 7-12 months - 90 days prior to to the end of your current study period.

Study periods between 4-6 months- 30 days prior to to the end of your current study period.

For Study periods that are less than 4 months- Apply no later than the study period start date (i.e. spring/summer terms, apprenticeship programs) 

11. Do I have to submit receipts?

Canada Grant for Students with Permanent Disabilities - once it has been approved and there is no need to do more paperwork after the first time we apply. As long as you submit an online application for funding every year, you'll be automatically considered for this grant. No receipts are required for this grant.

Canada Services and Equipment Grant and/or Alberta Grant for Students with Disabilities - If approved, this grant is deposited into your account, and you must submit receipts to Student Aid to prove you spent that money for its intended purposes. Any unused funds must be returned to Student Aid.