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Financial Aid & Funding Options

Planning how to pay for college can feel overwhelming. Explore financial aid, government programs and other funding options that may be available to help with your career training costs.

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Student learning about financial aid and funding resources for Academy of Learning Career College programs

Find Funding for Your Province

Select a province to explore financial aid and funding options for your province. Eligibility requirements vary by province or territory, program and personal circumstances.

Funding Options in Ontario

Financial assistance may be available for those who qualify.

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Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP)

Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP)

Financial assistance may be available for those who qualify.

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Better Jobs Ontario

Better Jobs Ontario

Training support for eligible applicants pursuing approved retraining.

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Employment Ontario

Employment Ontario

Employment and training services available across Ontario.

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Provider reminder: Not every funding program is available for every campus or program. Students should confirm current requirements directly with the provider and their campus Financial Aid Officer.

Funding Options in British Columbia

Financial assistance may be available for those who qualify.

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StudentAid BC

StudentAid BC

Official loans, grants and student financial assistance information.

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WorkBC Funding and Grants for Learners

WorkBC Funding and Grants for Learners

Explore current training and learner-support resources.

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Provider reminder: Not every funding program is available for every campus or program. Students should confirm current requirements directly with the provider and their campus Financial Aid Officer.

Funding Options in Alberta

Financial assistance may be available for those who qualify.

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Alberta Student Aid

Alberta Student Aid

Check student eligibility and whether a school and program are designated.

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Employment and Training Services

Employment and Training Services

Explore government-supported employment and training programs.

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Provider reminder: Not every funding program is available for every campus or program. Students should confirm current requirements directly with the provider and their campus Financial Aid Officer.

Funding Options in Manitoba

Financial assistance may be available for those who qualify.

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Manitoba Student Aid

Manitoba Student Aid

Official information about student loans, grants, bursaries and applications.

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Training and Employment Services

Training and Employment Services

Employment, career-planning and potential training supports.

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Provider reminder: Not every funding program is available for every campus or program. Students should confirm current requirements directly with the provider and their campus Financial Aid Officer.

Funding Options in Nova Scotia

Financial assistance may be available for those who qualify.

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Nova Scotia Student Assistance

Nova Scotia Student Assistance

Official information about loans and grants for eligible studies.

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Skills Development

Skills Development

Training support for eligible individuals through Employment Nova Scotia.

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Provider reminder: Not every funding program is available for every campus or program. Students should confirm current requirements directly with the provider and their campus Financial Aid Officer.

Funding Options in Prince Edward Island

Financial assistance may be available for those who qualify.

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Student Financial Services

Student Financial Services

Official student loans, grants, bursaries and application information

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Training PEI

Training PEI

Training support for eligible individuals who meet current program requirements.

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Provider reminder: Not every funding program is available for every campus or program. Students should confirm current requirements directly with the provider and their campus Financial Aid Officer.

Need Help with Financial Aid, Tuition or Payment Options?

An Academy of Learning Career College Financial Aid Office can help you understand your program costs, campus payment options and the funding resources that may apply to you.

Talk to an Advisor

Other Ways to Pay for School

If government funding is not available or does not cover the full cost, there may be other options to explore.

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Windmill Microlending

Windmill Microlending

Career loans and support for eligible skilled immigrants and refugees.

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Achēv

Achēv

Loans and career support for eligible internationally trained individuals, primarily in Ontario.

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Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP)

Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP)

Ask your RESP provider if your plan and program meet the rules for a withdrawal.

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Lifelong Learning Plan (LLP)

Lifelong Learning Plan (LLP)

Check the current rules for using RRSP funds for education or training.

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Frequently Asked Questions

There are different ways to help pay for career training. Your options depend on your province or territory, your program, your campus and your situation.

  • Government student loans and grants for eligible students attending eligible programs.
  • Employment or skills-training programs offered through provincial or community agencies.
  • Education savings options. Including an RESP or the Lifelong Learning Plan, when the applicable requirements are met.

A Financial Aid Officer can help you understand which categories may be relevant and where to obtain current eligibility information.

Selected External Resources

  • Windmill Microlending: Career loans and support for eligible skilled immigrants and refugees. Learn more
  • Achēv: Loans and career support for eligible internationally trained individuals, primarily in Ontario. Learn more
  • Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP): Ask your RESP provider if your plan and program meet the rules for a withdrawal. Visit official website
  • Lifelong Learning Plan (LLP): Check the current rules for using RRSP funds for education or training. Visit official website

Government student aid may be available to eligible students at eligible campuses and programs, depending on your province or territory. Eligibility is not based on the school alone. It can also depend on your residency, personal finances, course load and how your program is designated in your province or territory. See the province section below for the exact wording that applies where you plan to study.

Government funding rules may differ by province or territory and can change. Your Financial Aid Officer can help you locate the appropriate official eligibility information, but the funding provider makes the final decision.

Choose your province below to explore official student aid and training resources.

Ontario

Financial assistance may be available for those who qualify.

British Columbia

  • StudentAid BC: Official loans, grants and student financial assistance information. Visit official website
  • WorkBC Funding and Grants for Learners: Explore current training and learner-support resources. Visit official website

Alberta

  • Alberta Student Aid: Check student eligibility and whether a school and program are designated. Visit official website
  • Employment and Training Services: Explore government-supported employment and training programs. Visit official website

Manitoba

  • Manitoba Student Aid: Official information about student loans, grants, bursaries and applications. Visit official website
  • Training and Employment Services: Employment, career-planning and potential training supports. Visit official website

Nova Scotia

  • Nova Scotia Student Assistance: Official information about loans and grants for eligible studies. Visit official website

Financial assistance may be available to eligible students.

  • Skills Development: Training support for eligible individuals through Employment Nova Scotia. Visit official website

Prince Edward Island

  • Student Financial Services: Official student loans, grants, bursaries and application information. Visit official website
  • Training PEI: Training support for eligible individuals who meet current program requirements. Visit official website

Provider reminder:Not every funding program is available for every campus or program. Students should confirm current requirements directly with the provider and their campus Financial Aid Officer.

The funding provider determines whether you qualify and how much you may receive. An assessment may consider your program costs, study period, course load, income, family circumstances and other available financial resources.

Depending on the program, eligible costs may include tuition and mandatory fees, books or supplies and certain living, transportation or dependent-care expenses. Funding may not cover the full cost of attendance, and an estimate is not a guarantee of approval or payment.

Start early. Application timelines and requirements differ, but the following sequence will help you prepare:

  • Choose your program and campus: Confirm the program name, study location, start date, duration, tuition and mandatory fees.
  • Meet with a Financial Aid Officer: Review the options that may apply and confirm which official application process to follow.
  • Complete the application and check your status: Submit the required information through the provider’s secure process, respond to requests for documents and check your status regularly.

No. It depends on the type of funding and its rules.

  • Loans usually have to be paid back based on the lender or government program rules.
  • Grants and bursaries usually do not have to be repaid if you continue to meet the rules. This can change based on your situation.
  • RESP and LLP withdrawals have their own plan, tax and repayment rules.
  • Campus payment plans are not financial aid. They are payment schedules, and the terms can differ by campus and program.

Speak with your campus Financial Aid Officer before your program begins or as soon as you receive the decision. They can help you understand the assessment, confirm whether information is missing and explain other options that may be available through your campus or an external provider.

Possible next steps may include asking the provider about a review or appeal process, considering an available campus payment arrangement, or exploring the selected external resources listed above.

Your Financial Aid Officer can explain the costs and payment rules for your campus and program. They can also help you find funding that may fit your needs.

They can help you:

  • Review your program tuition, required fees and payment dates.
  • Learn about campus payment options.
  • Find facts about government funding.
  • Find the school and program details you may need for an application.
  • Understand your next steps after you get a funding decision.