Advancing Futures – Approved students

Monthly update

October 2023

Alberta Adult Health Benefits

Alberta-based students who indicated on their 2023/24 application that they do not have alternate health benefits will be issued an Alberta Adult Health Benefits (AAHB) card. Learn more about the AAHB program. Students who do not have alternate health benefit coverage and have not received their AAHB card in the mail by September 30 should contact their practitioner.

Duke and Duchess Scholarship 

Returning students had the opportunity to apply for the Duke & Duchess of Cambridge Scholarship in August. There are 25 scholarships, each worth $2000. All applicants will receive a letter by mail by the end of November with the results of their application. 

Scholarships, bursaries and grants

All students are encouraged to apply for scholarships, bursaries and grants. Students who receive a scholarship, bursary or grant must inform their Advancing Futures practitioner of the amount they have received. Scholarship, bursary and grant funding does not impact Advancing Futures funding amounts unless the funds are designated for education expenses only.

Living allowance

Students who receive their living allowance payments via direct deposit can expect to receive their October payment between October 24 and 27, 2023.

Role of practitioners

Support

After students apply for the program, they will be connected with a TAP Advancing Futures practitioner. Practitioners review each application and support students through the approval process. Setting up student funding is just one part of their role. Throughout the year, practitioners will connect with students at least once a month and can provide:

• a friendly face (or ear, or keyboard) to listen to a student’s experiences
• coaching and mentoring as students plan for their future
• support with problem solving when facing challenges
• transition planning to help students achieve their goals
• referrals to resources or agencies that offer supportive services
• help figuring out life as a young adult

Learn more about the role of practitioners.

Connecting with us

There are a number of ways students and practitioners can connect to make it easier to keep in touch. Students can:

• schedule a time to meet at the office
• call them
• meet them for coffee
• meet at or near a student's post-secondary institution
• chat via video
• email them

Each practitioner is responsible for a specific group of institutions.

Practitioners strive to respond to phone calls and emails within 48 to 72 hours. Students are asked to avoid calling repeatedly, leaving multiple voicemails or emailing repeatedly while waiting for a reply from their practitioner.

Updating information

Students are responsible for providing Advancing Futures with the most current contact information, including:

• email address
• phone number
• mailing address

If contact information changes after applying for Advancing Futures, students must email [email protected].

Program expectations

Grades

Students are expected to maintain a term Grade Point Average (GPA) of at least 1.7 on a 4-point scale. Where an alternate scale is used or the institution does not use a GPA scale, a minimum term average of 60% is required. A term average below the required level will result in the student being notified of the requirement to raise their GPA in the subsequent semester. Failure to achieve satisfactory grades 2 semesters in a row will result in termination from the Advancing Futures program.

Financial information

Tuition and mandatory school fees

Once a student's funding has been approved, a sponsorship agreement will be established with the school. The agreement states that Advancing Futures will cover tuition and mandatory school fees for the academic term(s). The institution will invoice Advancing Futures directly.

Mandatory books and supplies

All students will have their own account created at the school’s bookstore to cover the cost of mandatory books and supplies. All students are required to submit a book and supply list at the start of each semester to Advancing Futures.

Students are provided with funding to buy basic school supplies at the start of each semester, to a maximum of:

• $50 per year for part-time students
• $100 per year for full-time students

Living expenses

Monthly living allowance payments are deposited into students’ bank accounts 5 to 7 days before the first day of each month. The living allowance payment provided at the end of each month is for the next month of study.

Details of the monthly student funding amount to be received can be found on the mailed and e-mailed approval letter. Each time a change is made to funding amounts, an updated letter will be sent.

Damage deposit funding

Students are eligible to receive up to 80% of their living allowance amount, to a maximum of $1500 per occurrence, to pay damage deposit charges throughout the time they are funded by Advancing Futures.

To request damage deposit funds, students must have their landlord complete the Damage Deposit Assistance Form, or the student can submit a full copy of their lease to their practitioner.

The form must then be submitted in person or by email.

Technology funding

Advancing Futures will cover the cost of technology and software that is mandatory or required for online courses up to a maximum of $500. If the technology is not mandatory, students may request reimbursement of the cost, up to a maximum of $250. This funding is available one time only throughout the time a student is funded by Advancing Futures.

If the software is not mandatory, students may request reimbursement of 50% of the cost of software purchases, up to a maximum of $100. Funding for software is available yearly throughout the time a student is funded by Advancing Futures.

If a student requires specialized technology that is mandatory for their program of study, Advancing Futures will consider these costs when the student provides:

• documentation from their institution confirming that technology is required
• confirmation of the mandatory minimum specifications of the technology, and
• a minimum of 3 price quotes for technology matching the required specifications

If a student requires specialized software that is mandatory for their program of study, Advancing Futures will consider these costs when the student provides proof from their institution confirming that the software is required. Funding for software is available yearly throughout the time a student is funded by Advancing Futures.

Students are required to request approval of the cost of technology and software prior to making a purchase. Once approved, students are required to submit a receipt confirming the purchase.

Duke and Duchess of Cambridge Scholarship

The Alberta government established this scholarship to commemorate the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's Royal Visit to Alberta in July 2011. The scholarship recognizes the exceptional educational achievements of students who have been in care.

The $2,000 scholarships are awarded solely to 25 Advancing Futures students each year based on their academic performance the previous year.

Eligibility criteria, application process and selection method information is outlined on the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge Scholarship application form (available from August 1 to 31 each year).

Other scholarships and bursaries

Students are encouraged to apply for scholarships and bursaries through their institution and other sources. Students are entitled to keep scholarship and bursary funding, unless the funding is designated to be used for educational costs only. Students are required to inform their practitioner of any scholarships or bursaries they are selected for.

Income taxes

All funding issued by Advancing Futures is reportable. This includes educational expenses and student funding amounts. A T4A slip will be issued by the program for the amount paid to and on behalf of each student. All inquiries related to tax regulations should be addressed to Canada Revenue Agency.

Health benefits

Advancing Futures enrols Alberta-based students who do not have alternate health care benefits in the Alberta Adult Health Benefit program. Their dependents are also eligible for coverage.

All Alberta-based students are required to opt out of their institution-based health and dental benefit plans. Students who opt in to, or fail to opt out of, their institution’s benefits are responsible for paying all fees related to this. Students can find opt out instructions on their institution’s website.

Students attending an institution outside of Alberta are not eligible for the Alberta Adult Health Benefit program and should not opt out of their institution’s health and dental plans. Advancing Futures will cover the cost of these plans for out of province students.

Contact

Connect with the Advancing Futures program