We can provide options and assistance with:

Contact us by calling 403.284.7054 or emailing funding@sait.ca.

You can also visit our office in the Stan Grad Centre, room MC221, Monday through Friday, between 8 am and 4 pm.

Our recommended budgeting resources

Living in Calgary

Clothing and household goods

Free or inexpensive clothing and household goods are available from:

  • Interfaith Thrift Stores Association
  • Salvation Army Thrift Stores
  • The Thrift Shop
  • Value Village Stores Ltd.
  • Women in Need Thrift Store
  • Walk In Closet (Free Interview Clothing)
  • Community Garden: 403.260.2600 ext. 227
  • Collective Kitchens: 403.275.0258

Emergency food and food box

  • Calgary Food Bank: 403.253.2059
  • SAITSA Food Bank: MC107 Student Resource Centre (all you need to bring is your student ID)

Good Food Box

Service for SAIT students and staff that provides fresh fruit and vegetables at a reduced price on a monthly basis. For more information or to place an order, visit the SAITSA office.

Free meal locations

Christmas hampers - registration recommended by mid-December

  • Salvation Army - Community & Family Services: 4 self-referral for families with children 12 years of age and under. Hampers include Christmas dinner and all the trimmings and a toy hamper is also provided: 403.410.1158

Housing

Emergency housing

  • YWCA Emergency Shelter - 24-hour crisis line: 403.266.0707 | Shelter information line: 403.266.4111
  • YWCA Crisis and transitional housing facility - Mary Dover house phone: 403.263.1550
  • Calgary emergency women's shelter - 24-hour family violence helpline: 403.234.7233 | Shelter administration: 403.290.1552
  • Children's cottage - Brenda's house: 403.242.8575 ext. 0

Childcare

Student legal assistance

  • Calgary Legal Guidance: 403.234.9266
  • University of Calgary: 403.220.6637
  • Legal Aid Alberta: 403.297.2260 | 1.866.845.3425
  • Lawyer referral service: 403.228.1722

Budget resources

Dealing with debt

Bills, bills, bills

Talking to your financial institution or service agencies when you are experiencing financial difficulties may be wise prior to having utilities shut-off or collection agencies contacted.

  • Electricity (Enmax): 403.310.2010
  • Telephone (Telus): 1.888.811.2323
  • Cable TV (Shaw Cable): 1.888.472.2222
  • Gas (Direct Energy): 1.866.420.3174
  • Alberta Consumer and Corporate Affairs: 1.877.427.4088

Physical health

Self-help resources

Other resources

Free computer usage

Courtesy phones/faxing

Phone use is available at Saitsa Resource Centre or Chinook Lodge. Faxing is available, at a nominal fee, through the SAITSA Resource Centre.

Foundational Learning Assistance program

The Foundational Learning Assistance Program provides funding for Albertans on a first-come, first-served basis to qualified applicants attending English Language Foundations, Academic Upgrading or the Indigenous Pathways Program.

Advanced Education determines learner eligibility for both full and part-time study status.

Learn more about eligibility and how to apply for funding.

External funding opportunities

See below for other external financial opportunities to help you start or continue your post-secondary education at SAIT.

LearnSmart works to empower Canadian youth and young adults to open a Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP) and apply for the Canada Learning Bond (CLB). Open an RESP online here in 10 minutes and access $500 up to $2000 of government funds to help pay for your post-secondary education.

 

Check whether any of your family members have set up a Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP) in your name or withdraw from your Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP) as part of a Lifelong Learning Plan.

Many financial institutions offer a student line of credit for those studying at a post-secondary level. For more information, visit financial institution websites and search 'student line of credit'.

Indigenous students have access to many sources of financial support. We encourage all SAIT Indigenous students to explore these financial assistance opportunities available from the government, the community and private organizations that offer bursaries, scholarships, and other awards specifically for Indigenous students.

Windmill Microlending assists immigrants and refugees that have professional skills and knowledge from their country of origin but are facing barriers to employment in Canada in their field. They provide microloans of up to $15,000 to internationally trained immigrants so they can obtain their Canadian licensing or training they need to work in their field.

The loan can pay for exams, training, qualification assessments, professional association fees, books and course materials, living allowances and other expenses related to obtaining the Canadian licensing or training they need.

Find out how the Canadian Armed Forces will pay for your university or college tuition, reimburse members for educational opportunities and provide funding grants for projects related to defence and security policy challenges.

Are you a Canadian Veteran looking to attend SAIT? Depending on your years of service, you could be eligible for up to $80,000 with the Veteran Affairs Canada Education and Training Benefit.

The Servus-Bredin Microloans program provides loans of up to $15,000 to support internationally educated professionals to continue, restart or advance their careers in Canada.

Questions?

Financial Advising

MC221, Stan Grad Centre, SAIT Main Campus

403.284.7054 funding@sait.ca

Monday - Friday | 8 am - 4 pm

Tuition and Financial Aid