Government Student Loans
Information regarding part or full-time government student financial assistance programs is available at the Scholarships and Student Finance office. General eligibility requirements for full-time assistance are:
•Canadian Citizen or Permanent Resident of Canada;
•a valid Social Insurance Number;
•study in an approved post-secondary program of at least 12 weeks in length;
•courses must be applied to a recognized degree; and
•demonstrated financial need.
Most government financial aid programs are need-based. Students apply for the program through a provincial/territorial application form. One application encompasses both the Canada Student Loans and Grants program and provincial/territorial loans and grants. Scholarships and Student Finance can assist students to determine which application to use. Students must apply yearly (Sept-April) to the province/territory in which they are considered a resident, not necessarily the province/territory they are attending school in. Summer loans require a separate application. If a student previously received loans and is continuing or returning to study but is not applying for further loans, a confirmation of enrolment is required to prevent entering repayment. Please contact Scholarships and Student Finance for assistance.
The following websites have more information on government financial assistance programs for students:
•Alberta residents: www.studentaid.alberta.ca
•All other provincial/territory links can be accessed from:
www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/education/student-aid/grants-loans/province-apply
•U.S. loans: The University of Lethbridge does not participate in the U.S. Department of Education (USDE) Federal Student Aid programs. A Confirmation of Enrolment (continuation of studies) for USDE loans is available.
Students are responsible for repaying their student loans. However, loans are not repayable during periods of full-time studies and for a period after graduation or withdrawal. In certain cases, repayment may be deferred for additional periods after the exemption period, upon successful application for the Repayment Assistance Program via the National Student Loan Service Centre.
b.Withdrawal While on Full-time Student Loans
Students must remain a full-time student (see Glossary, Full-time Student) throughout the funded period of study. If a student withdraws or drops below full-time standing, the following may occur: the student may be required to repay some or all funding received; grant money may be converted to loan money; second disbursement of the loan will be cancelled; repeated withdrawals may result in an 18 month suspension. Students must reapply for a new loan upon return to studies. Part-time funding programs are available for students who are studying part-time. Students receiving full-time student aid should contact Scholarships and Student Finance prior to withdrawing from courses.
c.Incomplete (I) and Continuing (X) Grades
Courses used in one term to determine eligibility for student loan purposes cannot be used in subsequent terms toward a student’s full-time registration. Independent Studies and Applied Studies courses are classified as one course and can only be used in one term to determine eligibility for student loan purposes. Students taking more than one term to complete these courses should plan their subsequent term schedules accordingly.
d.Cooperative Education Program
Students who are planning to register in a full-time coop work term should contact Scholarships and Student Finance regarding eligibility for student loans.
e.Emergency Student Assistance
The purpose of the fund is to provide temporary assistance to full-time University of Lethbridge students to meet expenses related to an unexpected shortfall in their personal finances or an unanticipated delay in their receipt of financial assistance funding.
An emergency is defined as an unexpected shortfall in finances that has caused an inability to meet rent payments when due, a lack of adequate food supplies, and any other type of expenses related to the necessities of life that cannot be delayed. Students will not receive emergency financial assistance to cover registration deposits, tuition fees, books, fines, or debts to other University departments.
Emergency loans or bursaries are available to assist students experiencing delays in the normal disbursement of their confirmed government student loans, or grants.
Students are encouraged to email Scholarships and Student Finance if experiencing financial duress, to obtain an emergency bursary application or arrange consultation with a staff member.
The full policy is available online at www.ulethbridge.ca/policy/emergency-student-loan-fund.