Media

Easier online access to post-secondary funding for Alberta students

(August 28, 2012 - Edmonton, Government of Alberta)

More Albertans can pursue their post-secondary goals thanks to the new and improved Student Aid Alberta program. Changes to contribution requirements make it easier for students to receive funding and a new website offers support throughout the application process and beyond.

The website, www.studentaid.alberta.ca, takes students through the stages of applying for student loans and grants, getting their money, and repaying their loans using flexible repayment options. Students can save time by easily finding all the information they need on one site.

"We want all Albertans who want to attend post-secondary to be able to, no matter what their financial situation is,"  said Stephen Khan, Minister of Enterprise and Advanced Education. "Our Student Aid Alberta program helps students get the funding they need so they have one less thing to worry about when they are in school."

"This new website is a great example of how we're using technology to improve the way we deliver services to students," said Khan.

Many students who apply online will find out if they're eligible for funding and how much they can expect to receive as soon as they've submitted their application.

"The creation of Student Aid Alberta, along with its newly launched website, has made it easier for students to apply for loans, become informed about the process, and is much faster in informing students if they have been approved and for how much, said Jed Johns, MacEwan Students Association President. "It is a truly beneficial service."

The new website launched June 15. Since then, over 35,000 Alberta students have applied for funding online for the 2012-13 school year. Over 80 per cent of students who apply for student aid do so online.

Alberta supports an estimated 53,000 full-time post-secondary students with student aid through loans and grants. This year 274 million dollars in student loans is available through Student Aid Alberta.

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Media inquiries may be directed to:
Marie Iwanow
Press Secretary to the Minister of Enterprise and Advanced Education
780-718-0320
marie.iwanow@gov.ab.ca

To call toll free within Alberta dial 310-0000.

Visit the Government of Alberta newsroom http://newsroom.alberta.ca.




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