Foundational Learning Assistance

Overview

Foundational Learning Assistance is a student financial assistance program that provides opportunities for unemployed or underemployed Albertans to prepare for further education or develop skills for in-demand jobs within the labour market. Specifically, these programs can help you:

• increase your English language skills
• complete academic upgrading and/or adult basic education for post-secondary pre-requisites
• gain in-demand skills to find employment

Foundational Learning Assistance can include a monthly financial award, calculated based on household financial need, to help you pay for:

• educational costs such as tuition, mandatory fees, student association fees, and books and supplies
• living costs such as food, clothing, personal needs, transportation, rent/mortgage and utility expenses

While some exceptional medical costs may be considered for students, health benefits are not covered as part of Foundational Learning Assistance. If you need health benefits, learn more and apply at Alberta Adult Health Benefit.

For more detailed program information and policies, refer to the:

Approved programs

To be eligible for Foundational Learning Assistance, you must be enrolled in an approved program.

Approved programs are offered by more than 40 educational institutions in Alberta, including public post-secondary institutions, private career colleges, First Nations colleges, and non-profit organizations. You can contact educational institutions directly to determine whether a program you are interested in offers approved Foundational Learning Assistance programming.

The following types of foundational learning or skills development programs may be approved. See the policy manual for details.

Table 1. Approved programs and purpose

For program designation guidelines for educational institutions, refer to the: Foundational Learning and Skills Development Program Designation Guidelines

Please note:  the Foundational Learning Assistance program has a capped budget and is not currently accepting applications from new educational institutions.

Eligibility

Citizenship and Immigration Status

You must be either:

• a Canadian citizen
• a permanent resident according to the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (Government of Canada)
• a Protected person according to the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (Government of Canada) who is legally entitled to work and study in Canada

You must have a valid Social Insurance Number (SIN).

Age

You must be 18 years of age when your program starts. An exception to this criterion can be waived for individuals as young as 16.

See the policy manual for details.

Residency

You must:

• have an established Alberta address
• reside in Alberta for the duration of the program of study

Students residing in border communities are considered residents of the province/territory to which their home postal code belongs.

Employment status

Full-time students must be unemployed or working fewer than 20 hours per week to be eligible for Foundational Learning Assistance.

If you are working more than 20 hours a week, you may be eligible to receive Foundational Learning Assistance for part-time studies. 

When you are unemployed

If you are receiving Employment Insurance (EI) benefits, you can apply for and receive Foundational Learning Assistance until your claim ends.

If you are receiving EI Special Benefits, you are not eligible for Foundational Learning Assistance. 

When you are employed

If you are working more than 20 hours a week and want to leave your job to attend training, you can apply for Foundational Learning Assistance. A Client Service Specialist will contact you to discuss your situation and potential eligibility.

If the specialist approves a Counsel to Leave Employment, your application for Foundational Learning Assistance will be processed, and you may be eligible for Employment Insurance.

Length of training

You can be funded to attend full-time training for a lifetime maximum of 50 months.

How to apply

Step 1. Get accepted into an approved program.

Step 2. Ask your educational institution to confirm your enrolment in the Student Management System.

• High schools and outreach schools that do not have access to the system, complete the High School Program Approval Foundational Learning Assistance form

Step 3. Check your email. When you are able to apply, you will get an email with a link to the application.

Step 4. Submit your application up to 12 weeks before your training starts.

Processing will be delayed if your application is incorrect or incomplete.

You must have the following to access the online application:

• a verified Alberta.ca Account – If you do not have an Alberta.ca Account, you have to create one to access the online application. The process can take up to 10 days.
• an Alberta Student Number – Look up your Alberta Student Number, or if you do not have one, request an Alberta Student Number at Learner Registry. Ensure that you do not create a new Alberta Student Number if you are a returning Foundational Learning Assistance student. Students must use the same Alberta Student Number that has been issued to them to prevent application processing delays.
• your Social Insurance Number (SIN).

You must answer all the questions yourself, as you will be signing the legal declaration.

If you have a spouse or partner who is also receiving Foundational Learning Assistance, you will need their Alberta Student Number.

If an application is not completed within 30 days, it will be cancelled, and you will have to start again.

After you apply

Once your application is processed, you will be advised of:

• the amount of money you may get or the reason(s) you will not get funding
• when you can expect to receive funding
• your right to request a review of the decision

If education costs were included in your assessment:

• books and supply costs will be included in your first living allowance payment for each semester
• tuition and fees will be paid directly to your educational institution

Report a change

When you are receiving Foundational Learning Assistance, you must report any changes that occur as soon as they happen. Call the Foundational Learning and Skills Development Contact Centre when there is a change to your:

• attendance status (for example, changing from full time to part time or withdrawing)
• study period dates
• educational institution
• income
• spouse or partner’s income
• marital status
• number of dependents
• any allowable costs, including child care

Tax slip

Foundational Learning Assistance is taxable income. You will receive a tax slip in February to include in your tax filing for the previous year.

If you need help with your taxes, contact the Canada Revenue Agency.