Student loan applications open in June each year and are available for Canadian citizens, Permanent Residents, and Refugees. Loan applications can take several weeks to process, so apply early! There is no need to wait - you can apply for student loans before you’ve been accepted to Lethbridge Polytechnic. We won’t confirm your loans with your province until the month before your first term.  

Once we’ve notified you that we've confirmed your loans, any registration changes made that result in additional fees will be the responsibility of the student to pay by the add/drop deadline.  

The loan process is different for full-time and part-time students, so make sure to consider your course load before applying.  

Government Student Loans

Students apply for student loans through the province they’ve lived in for the 12 months before attending post-secondary. Full-time student loans are available for students who are planning to be enrolled in at least 9 credits per term (typically 3 courses) and provide funds for tuition and living. Select your province below to see the eligibility requirements, application instructions, and funding limits. Make sure to check your province's policies as not all programs are eligible for provincial loans. 

After submitting your loan application, you will be assessed for both provincial and federal student loans and grants. We recommend applying for loans at least 45 days before the start of the term as applications can take several weeks to process. 

Part-Time Student Loans

Part-time student loans are available for students who are planning to be enrolled in less than 9 credits per term (typically 1 or 2 courses) and only provide funds for tuition and books. Some provinces (including Alberta) require a paper application and may take longer to process, so make sure to complete these as soon as possible. Part - time loans may be disbursed entirely to you, and then it is your responsibility to make a tuition payment by the add/drop deadline. 

Visit your provincial loan site for eligibility requirements and application instructions. 

Maintaining Eligibility

To continue receiving student loans while in school, it is important to understand the criteria required to maintain your eligibility:  

  • Withdrawing or dropping to part-time twice while on a full-time loan will make you ineligible for all student loans for 18 months
  • Withdrawing or dropping to part-time within 30 days after the term starts while on a full-time loan will make you ineligible for all further loans until you have repaid the full amount you received for the term.  
  • You must make academic progress in your program. Continuing in the same year of study for more than 2 years will make you ineligible for all student loans for 18 months 

FAQs

My loan application was rejected/I didn't get enough money- what do I do?

You can request a review of the decision- login to your province’s student aid site and select Request for Review. You may be asked to provide additional documentation. 

I haven't gotten my money yet, what do I do?

Make sure you’ve submitted all the required documents – login to your provincial loan account and check your inbox. Once we have confirmed your loan, your account will be protected from de-registration even if we have not received your loans by the add/drop deadline.  

If you submitted your loan application late, please contact us and we can help make sure there is nothing delaying your application.  

I got an email that you couldn't request enough tuition- what do I do?

Typically, the extra funds (if available) would be disbursed directly to you. It is then your responsibility to pay the outstanding balance by the add/drop deadline. 

I changed my registration after you confirmed my loans- what do I do?

It is then your responsibility to pay the outstanding balance by the add/drop deadline. If you do not make the additional payment, you will be deregistered from your courses. 

I have a disability- what do I do?

If you have a documented disability, answer Yes on your loan application to ‘Do you have disabilities?’. Once you’ve completed your loan application, we encourage you to meet with Accessibility Services to discuss disability grant funding or a reduced course load.  You will still have a lifetime loan limit, but you will not be penalized for taking longer to complete your program.