Scholarships & Bursaries
Scholarships and bursaries are money you do not pay back. Bursaries are usually awarded on financial need, scholarships on merit, and both can come from the college, from community organizations, or from the Government of Alberta.
Alberta Student Aid runs its own scholarship programs alongside its loans and grants, and many community groups, employers and cultural associations in Calgary offer awards to adult learners entering health care. Availability changes from year to year, so ask your Admissions Advisor what is currently open to ABES students rather than relying on an old list. They will tell you what exists, what the deadlines are, and what you need to submit.
Government Student Loans (Alberta Student Aid)
All ABES programs are designated by the Government of Alberta, which means they are eligible for full-time and part-time funding through Alberta Student Aid. One application covers both Alberta and Canada student loans, and it also assesses you for grants that do not need to be repaid.
Your personal eligibility depends on financial need, your course load, your household situation and your residency status. Permanent residents and protected persons can apply, not only Canadian citizens. Interest-free status applies while you study, and repayment begins after you finish.
Start with Alberta Student Aid to check the criteria and open an application, and read our quick guide to Alberta Student Aid eligibility, amounts and timelines for a plain-language walkthrough. Apply early. Funding is confirmed before your start date only if the application is in on time, and admissions can confirm your program and start date for the form.
Personal Payment
Many students pay tuition themselves, from savings, from income while they study, or with help from family. ABES can spread tuition over the length of your program in monthly instalments rather than asking for everything up front. Terms are arranged with admissions at intake, so ask for the current schedule when you book your call.
Paying personally also combines well with the other options on this page: a partial Alberta Student Aid award, a bursary, or a sponsor covering part of the cost can each reduce what you pay month to month.
Bank or Credit Card Financing
Banks and credit unions offer student lines of credit and personal loans for post-secondary tuition, and some students put a portion of their costs on a credit card. Each lender sets its own criteria, usually based on credit history, income and whether you have a co-signer, so check with your own bank or credit union to see what you qualify for.
Compare the interest rate and repayment terms with what Alberta Student Aid offers before you commit. Government loans are interest-free while you study and come with grants; bank products start charging interest right away. Admissions can give you an official letter confirming your enrolment and program cost if your lender asks for one.
Band Funding
Students who are members of a First Nation or the Métis Nation of Alberta may qualify for education funding through their band, nation or an Indigenous education organization. This funding is often sponsorship rather than a loan: ABES bills tuition directly to the sponsor, where applicable, so you do not carry the cost yourself.
Each band and organization has its own application process and deadlines, and some require a letter of acceptance from the college first. Tell your Admissions Advisor early that you are applying for band funding. They will prepare the documents your sponsor needs and coordinate directly with them.
