Advancing Futures – Approved students

Monthly update

Tax reminder

All funding provided by Advancing Futures is reportable on your income tax. T4As were mailed to students in February 2023. Students who have not received their T4A from the Government of Alberta by mail by mid-March should look on their MyCRA Account for a copy (My Account – Overview – Related Services – Tax Information Slips). Advancing Futures will not have copies of T4As available until April 2023.

Post-secondary institutions issue T2202s for students who were enrolled in eligible studies by February 28, 2023. Students should also collect relevant tax documents for scholarships, grants, employment, federal COVID-related funding and so on. Canada Revenue Agency’s deadline to file 2022 taxes is April 30, 2023.

Apply for 2023/24 funding

Applications for the 2023/24 academic year are now being accepted. Students are required to reapply for funding each year using our application form.

The deadline to apply for funding for the 2023/24 academic year is June 1, 2023. If you are unsure if an application for 2023/24 is required, contact your Practitioner.

March 2023

Canada housing benefit top-up

The one-time top-up to the Canada Housing Benefit aims to help low-income renters with the cost of renting. You may be eligible for a tax-free one-time payment of $500 if your income and the amount that you pay on rent qualify. Applications are open until Friday, March 31, 2023. For more information on eligibility, go to One-time top-up to the Canada Housing Benefit.

Note: You will need your 2021 tax assessment to determine your eligibility. For more information on your taxes, go to Contact the CRA – One-time top-up to the Canada Housing Benefit.

Alberta affordability payments program

As part of the Affordability Action Plan, millions of Albertans struggling with inflation and the high cost of living can apply for the Affordability Payments program until June 30, 2023. You may be eligible for up to $600 per child if you have children living at home that are under 18. For more information on eligibility and to apply, go to Affordability payments.

Spring funding deadline

Students are required to submit their spring 2023 course list, tuition details and book costs to their TAP Practitioner by March 15, 2023. Without these documents, student payments and proof of sponsorship being sent to the institution may be delayed.

Living allowance

Students who receive their living allowance payments via direct deposit can expect to receive their April payment between March 24 and 28, 2023.

Health and dental plan opt-out

Students living in Alberta are reminded to opt-out of their institution-based health and dental plan. Advancing Futures will not cover the costs for students who do not opt-out.

Important dates

Role of TAP Practitioners

Support

After students apply for the program, they will be connected with a TAP Practitioner. TAP 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, TAP 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 TAP Practitioners.

Connecting with us

There are a number of ways students and TAP 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 Advancing Futures TAP Practitioner is responsible for a specific group of institutions.

TAP 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 TAP 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 TAP Practitioner.

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

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
• a minimum of three 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 TAP 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