Foundational Learning Assistance FAQs

Foundational Learning Assistance is a government grant (that you don't pay back) for students in preparatory programs. MacEwan has two programs that qualify for Foundational Learning Assistance funding: 

English as an Additional Language
University Preparation

Students who are accepted to one of the above programs and ENROLLED in classes may have access to the allocation of Foundational Learning Assistance provided to MacEwan University. Provided they meet the government's eligibility requirements, students will receive funding for their tuition, mandatory fees, books, and supplies. Depending on financial need, full-time students may also receive additional benefits such as living allowance &/or child benefits. 

It is a streamlined application process that does not require additional forms or documentation for students; it is all online through your Alberta.ca Account 

Read about Foundational Learning Assistance here

NOTE: Until further notice, newly admitted students must place themselves on a waiting list for Foundational Learning Assistance Funding through MacEwan University. (see: why is there a waiting list?)

1. Check the eligibility criteria directly with Foundational Learning Assistance. 

2. Ensure you have a VERIFIED Alberta.ca Account.

3. Apply to MacEwan University for the upgrading program of choice (Current students may start at step 5):

• English as an Additional Language

• University Preparation

4. After admission, meet with (or email) a program advisor for a personalized education plan and recommended course placement. 

• Most new students will not be able to self-enroll. We will help you with this after you are admitted and you have a personalized education plan.

5. Fill out your information on the 'Waiting List' for FLA funding. 

• We collect your information on a Google Form. (which you will have access to AFTER you are admitted to a program) 

• Note: it could take several months/terms to be removed from the waiting list.

6. If/when funding becomes available, you will be notified. 

   • If you are still interested in FLA funding, MacEwan staff will add the information to the government's Student Management System.  

7. You will receive an email from Foundational Learning Assistance inviting you to apply for funding.

   • • You will need to click the link in the 'invite,' fill in the required information, and 'SUBMIT' your application for funding.

8. If funding is approved, tuition and fees will be paid directly to MacEwan University (it may not be reconciled until on or AFTER the tuition payment deadline). Any additional amounts for books, supplies, and/or living expenses are paid directly to the student.

• If funding is denied, you must decide whether to appeal, pay for the classes yourself, or you may drop all classes before the add/drop date.

NOTE: Foundational Learning Assistance funding through MacEwan is term by term. Previously funded students receive priority to apply for funding the following term; however, there is no guarantee that they will receive funding for their entire educational upgrading requirements. 

All students must apply for funding online through the government's online application system, which requires students to have a VERIFIED Alberta.ca Account. In order to verify your account, you must prove you are an Alberta Resident - with an Alberta-issued driver’s license or identification card. This process can take up to four weeks. If you are not able to verify your account, you will not be able to apply for funding. Common Questions about Alberta.ca Account

Students cannot apply for Foundational Learning Assistance until 12 weeks before the start of the academic term.

A few months prior to the start of each term, MacEwan will begin to allocate the funding received from the Government of Alberta. Priority is given to continuing SCE students who are nearing the end of their studies. Depending on the amount received, we may be able to take new (not previously funded) students from the waiting list.  

NOTE: Priority is given to Continuing SCE students (see 'How is the funding distributed each term?' )

NOTE: Funding requests are term by term. Students must re-apply for Foundational Learning Assistance each term it is required. 

Over the last few years, the Government of Alberta has reduced the amount of funding that Educational Institutions receive for the Foundational Learning Assistance (FLA) program. 

MacEwan University has decided to prioritize the limited funding for our current students (those who are studying with us now and have been FLA funded previously). Any new students need to 'wait' until we have enough funding to offer to them. Simply put, there are lots of students who want funding, but we don't have enough to go around.

We know that not all students require funding; some may be funded by another source, some may be able to pay for a class or two themselves while they 'wait' and hope for FLA. Others cannot start their upgrading until they receive the FLA grant. We have no way to know for sure which students need/want funding other than self declaring. Therefore, we have started a waiting list for those who want to be considered for FLA funding if/when any additional amount becomes available. 

The waiting list is ranked by the date a student is 'admitted' to the upgrading program at MacEwan (either EAL or UP). So, the longer you have been with us at MacEwan SCE, the better your chances of being taken off of the waiting list. How long students will remain on the waiting list is unknown; it depends on many factors (how much money is received from the Government of Alberta, how many previously funded students are continuing their studies, how many students are ahead of you on the waiting list etc.). You should be prepared to be on the waiting list for several months/terms. 

You can put your name on our waiting list AFTER you are admitted to the EAL or UP program. The link will be provided to you in your Welcome email. 

If you still have questions, please feel free to contact us at preparation@macewan.ca or EAL@macewan.ca or 780-497-4400

The amount of Foundational Learning Assistance (FLA) given to MacEwan University by the government is very limited and will be distributed first to continuing students who are nearing the end of their studies. 

Continuing students are defined as:

• Active English as an Additional Language (EAL) or University Preparation (UP) student who previously received FLA funding and are progressing in their studies. 

  • This includes EAL students continuing to University Preparation in the following term.

If there is any funding remaining, we will begin to contact students from the waiting list until the funds are exhausted. 

If your question is about our application process or waiting lists you may contact the Student Support Centre at 780-497-4029 or SCE@macewan.ca 

If your question is about your 'invitation' to apply for funding or eligibility requirements you will need to contact Foundational Learning Assistance directly at 780-427-3722 or visit their website.

You will receive an email confirmation from Foundational Learning Assistance. Decisions should take 1-5 business days. If you have any questions about your application or why you have not received a funding decision you should contact Foundational Learning Assistance at 780-427-3722.

You should contact Foundational Learning Assistance directly if you have any questions about your denial &/or to inquire whether you are eligible for part-time study. If funding is denied, you will have to decide whether you will stay registered in your upcoming classes and pay the tuition and fees yourself. If not, you should drop your classes prior to the add/drop deadline for that term. 

Yes, you should start attending on the first scheduled day of class. If you have not been approved by the add/drop deadline, please see the answer to the next question.

Contact the Foundational Learning Assistance office right away to ask about the status of your application. If you have not been approved by the add/drop deadline for the current term, you will need to decide if you will continue with your classes and pay the tuition yourself. If you receive a late approval, you will be refunded any tuition amounts you have paid. If you receive a late denial, you will owe the tuition and fees. 

Your tuition and fees will be paid directly to MacEwan University. These fees are reconciled directly with our finance department and may not be reflected on your student account until a few days AFTER the tuition payment deadline each term. 

Any additional amounts for textbooks, supplies and/or living expenses will be paid directly to the student.

If/when your funding is approved, you will receive an amount for books and supplies as a one-time payment with your 1st month's living allowance (if any). You will need to pay for your books up front and refund yourself once your 1st cheque is received. Your 1st cheque is generally higher than the subsequent ones because of this one-time book/supply amount. If you buy your books before the start of class, do not open them until the instructor confirms them on the first day. You cannot return the books to the bookstore unless they are unopened. 

MacEwan University allows students to set up payment plans for tuition. Please view the requirements and information on the fees and financial information page. 

Yes, this may be a possibility as long as there is still funding available. Please contact us for your individual situation as we may need to cancel your application for full-time funding and re-submit one for part-time. 

If you withdraw from any class(es) BEFORE the add/drop date, you must inform Foundational Learning Assistance and MacEwan University. Your funding may be canceled or there may be a change in your learner status. 

If you withdraw from any class(es) AFTER the add/drop date, you are assigned a grade of 'W' on your academic record, which is a 'withdrawal'. This may affect your learner status and future funding. A key component of Foundational Learning Assistance funding is that students are progressing to the next level of their education plan. Students who have to repeat classes because of previous withdrawals or failures may be denied funding in future terms. (See next for ‘Progressing’). 

Please contact the program office before withdrawing from classes to discuss the possible implications for your studies and future funding. 

Students applying for funding must be ‘progressing’ in their studies and may only repeat a grade level once. The maximum number of attempts at any one specific class is two. Withdrawals after the add/drop date are assigned a grade of W on your record and count as attempts. Progressing means that students are moving on to the next level in their personalized education plan. 

If you are not progressing in your studies, then part-time study may be an option.

Foundational Learning Assistance Policy Manual (see Page 8 for information on Progressing)

A key component of the Foundational Learning Assistance funding is that students are progressing to the next level of their education plan. If you have failed one or more of your courses, you may not be progressing. Students who have to repeat classes may be denied funding in future terms. We encourage you to make an appointment with our office so that we can discuss adjusting your education plan or referral to other support services at MacEwan.