Foundational Learning Program

Please note

Funding for Foundational Learning for full-time and part-time ESL & Academic Upgrading has been fully exhausted for 2018/19. Hence we will not be accepting applications for this funding until May 2019.

Important notices for funding applicants

Foundational Learning Supports funding

Foundational Learning funding is provided on a first-come, first served basis to qualified applicants. There are a limited number of funded seats available so it is highly recommended that you apply for funding at least 6 - 8 weeks prior to the start of your program to allow proper time for funding approval and to ensure tuition and living allowance benefits are received on time.

If you apply after the program begins, you risk a lack of funding availability. In addition, living allowance benefits will not be backdated, and the funding will start for the month that the application was received by the Alberta Works-Learner Income Support Office (LISO — Edmonton) and not the start of the program. Applications received after the last day of training are not eligible for funding.

English as a Second Language (ESL) applicants

Students requesting funding for the English Language Foundations (ELF) program are expected to access language instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC) training prior to applying for ESL under the Foundational Learning Supports program.

Employment Insurance (EI) applicants/recipients

If you are receiving or have recently applied for Employment Insurance (EI) benefits, you are required to apply for funding by completing the Alberta Works-Learner Income Support application. EI benefits while attending training will not be paid without approval from Alberta Works.

Eligible programs

Full-time funding

Foundational Learning Supports program

Please review and each of the steps below to determine your eligibility and to complete the application process.

Step 1 — Review the basic eligibility criteria

To be eligible for Foundational Learning funding, the following criteria must be met: You must be an Alberta resident at the time of application. You must be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident or convention refugee with valid study permit, work permit and Notice of Decision. Study and work permits must have end dates that cover the entire training period. International students and visitors do not qualify for funding. You must be 18 years of age or older at the start of your program. You have been out of high school for 12 or more consecutive months. Unemployed, or working on average less than 20 hours per week for the last 12 weeks, and planning to remain employed while attending training. Individuals working more than 20 hours per week will not be considered for funding automatically, and they will be referred to Community and Social Services for career counselling to explore options available. You must be ready, willing and able to attend training each day, and to keep acceptable academic progress. You are in financial need. Sponsored immigrants enrolled in full-time studies are only eligible for tuition, books and supplies.

Step 2 — Contact the Financial Advising office

If you meet the criteria stated in Step 1 please email the Financial Advising office at funding@sait.ca and attach copies of the Canadian Language Benchmark Assessment (CLBA), or the Academic Upgrading program plan, depending on the program you are applying for funding for. If you do not have a program plan, you will need to contact the Academic Upgrading office to receive one.

Step 3 — Complete the Alberta Works-Learner Income Support funding application

A Financial Advising assistant will send you the appropriate application and supporting forms by email. Please ensure you have a reliable email account and check your junk mail folder. If you have not received feedback within 3 business days please email the Financial Advising office.

Step 4 — Return the application to the Financial Advising office

Bring your completed application and supporting documents to MC221 in the Stan Grad Centre. A Financial Advising assistant will advise of any potential concerns related to your eligibility and review documents required based on information provided on your funding application. Please submit all required items at the same time to the Financial Advising office either via email or in person. Receiving two items at a time may result in lost material. Alberta Works-Learner Income Support Once your application has been submitted it can take 4 - 6 weeks to process. A Funding Decision (FD) letter will be mailed to you from LISO once your application has been finalized.

Part-time funding

Skills Investment Bursary (SIB)

The Skills Investment Bursary (SIB) is only available for students enrolling in English Language Foundations and Academic Upgrading on a part-time basis.

The maximum cumulative amount issued for SIB part-time is $5,000 per the calendar year, Jan. 1 - Dec. 31 — SIB part-time does not cover living costs associated with attending training.

The following training benefits are provided up to the maximum amount for incremental costs necessary to participate in part-time training:

Tuition, mandatory fees and student association fees
Books and supplies
Installation and monthly fees for a basic internet package — the learner currently doesn't have internet access if such is required for participation or if the training course is online
Transportation costs — if there is a need for the learner to attend training
Childcare costs — if there is a need for the learner to attend training

Please note

All funding applications must be received by the Alberta Works-Learner Income and Support Office (LISO) from the Financial Advising office prior to the course end date. Otherwise, funding applications will not be processed, and it can take several weeks for the LISO offices to review applications and approve funding. Please ensure you have followed the steps below and submitted all relevant information at the time of your application.

Financial Advising cannot release funds for part-time funding until after the second class has been attended.

Step 1 — Review the basic eligibility criteria

To be eligible for Foundational Learning funding, the following criteria must be met:

Must be 18 years of age or older
Out of elementary, junior or senior high school for 12 consecutive months
Be a resident of Alberta at the time of application
Be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident or convention refugee with valid study and work permits and Notice of Decision. Study and work permits must have end dates that cover the entire training period. International students and visitors don't qualify.
Must be below the applicable income threshold according to line 236 of your most recent Income Tax Return.

Household Unit Size	1	2	3	4	5	6
Net income	35,000	40,000	45,000	50,000	55,000	60,000

*For each additional child, add $5,000

You must meet the following asset requirements:
- RRSP's owned by the learner and/or spouse/partner must not exceed $100,000
- Liquid Assets — savings, term deposits, GICs, Bonds, Stocks, cash on hand etc. — must not exceed $5,000 (family combined assets)
Complete and pass all of the training providers' rules, including acceptable attendance and progress
Income Support recipients must notify their Income Support worker when applying for part-time training
EI recipients must consult with Service Canada about collecting EI benefits while attending training
Full-time Foundational Learning funded students can access part-time funding to repeat courses they failed as a full-time student, provided they are now attending SAIT on a part-time basis
Must have already registered and paid for your course(s) to apply for part-time funding
Can be employed or unemployed
Must provide the Canadian Language Benchmark Assessment (CLBA) report if applying for ESL training
Must provide the program plan if applying for Academic Upgrading

Step 2 — Complete Financial Advising with the following information

If you have registered for your course(s) and feel you meet the basic eligibility criteria, please email funding@sait.ca with a copy of your Canadian Language Benchmark Assessment (CLBA) or Academic Upgrading program plan.

Step 3 — Submit the application form

A Financial Advising assistant will send you the appropriate application and supporting forms by email. Please ensure you have a reliable email account and check your junk mail folder. If you have not received feedback within 3 business days please email the Financial Advising office.

Step 4 — Your application is completed

Submit your completed application and supporting documents to MC221 in the Stan Grad Centre. A Financial Advising assistant will advise you of any potential concerns related to your eligibility and ask you to provide documents as indicated below. *Relevant documentation as proof of costs — bills etc. — is also mandatory if your application indicates additional costs for: Childcare requirements and costs while attending a part-time course(s) Internet access requirements and monthly amounts to attend a part-time course(s) Monthly transportation costs to attend a course(s) Please submit all required items at the same time to the Financial Advising office either via email or in person. Receiving one or two items at a time may result in lost material. Once your application has been received and the necessary sections have been completed by the funding advisors at SAIT, it will be forwarded to the Learner Income Support Office (LISO) for approval. This can take 4 - 6 weeks, after which a funding decision will be mailed to your from LISO once your application is finalized.

Contact Financial Advising

funding@sait.ca
MC221, Stan Grad Centre

Hours of operation

Days	Times
Monday - Thursday	7:30 am - 3:45 pm
Friday	7:30 am - 3:20pm