ESL and Academic Upgrading Funding
Foundational Learning Assistance program
The Foundational Learning Assistance program, formerly known as Alberta Works, provides funding for Albertans in designated full-time and part-time programs. Funding is limited and provided on a first come, first service basis to qualified applicants.
Advance Education determines learner eligibility and may include a monthly living allowance depending on full or part-time study status and a financial need assessment.
Funding applications for 2024/2025
Due to limited funding, Foundational Learning Assistance funding applications for 2024/25 will be only available to a small number of continuing English as a Second Language (ESL) students. These students will be contacted by email. We know this is deeply impactful to many; if more funding becomes available, this page will be updated.
When to apply
Registration for Foundational Learning Assistance opens approximately 10-12 weeks before term start. Check this page for the most up-to-date registration dates.
Before you apply
- Know if you're a new or continuing student:
-
Continuing students: you're considered a continuing student if you have previously attended ESL or Academic Upgrading at NAIT and received Foundational Learning funding within the previous 2 semesters.
-
New students: you're considered a new student if you are new to NAIT, or have attended NAIT but have not received Foundational Learning funding within the previous 2 semesters.
- Ensure you have a verified Alberta.ca Account (formerly MyAlberta Digital ID). It may take up to 10 days to receive your verified account.
- Check your funding and program eligibility, as outlined in steps 1 and 2 below.
How to apply for ESL and Academic Upgrading funding
To access Foundational Learning Assistance funding, you must complete these 5 key steps:
Step 1: Determine your eligibility
Start early in determining your eligibility for Foundational Learning Assistance funding. If you can answer YES to all the questions below, you may qualify for funding:
- Are you planning to attend the ESL or Academic Upgrading program at NAIT?
- Do you have an Alberta address?
- Are you a Canadian citizen, permanent resident or convention refugee?
- Do you have limited financial resources?
For complete eligibility criteria, visit the Foundational Learning Assistance page.
Step 2: Apply and be accepted to NAIT
This step depends on which program you require funding for:
Academic Upgrading
You need to apply, get accepted, and enrol in Academic Upgrading classes. To qualify for full-time funding, you must enrol in at least 60% of a full-time course load (minimum of 2 classes).
English as a Second Language (ESL)
You must first complete a NAIT ESL placement test. To qualify for full-time funding as an ESL student, you must be enrolled in a minimum of 20 hours of instruction per week (which means taking 3 classes).
Step 3: Complete NAIT’s web form
2024/25 funding
Due to limited funding, only a small number of continuing ESL students can apply for Foundational Learning Assistance for 2024/25 (Fall 2024 & Winter 2025). These students will be contacted by email. If more funding becomes available, we will update this page.
Next, you'll need to complete NAIT's web form so we can verify your class enrolment and register you in Foundational Learning Assistance system. The form will open approximately 10-12 weeks before term start.
Before completing NAIT's web form
Before you complete NAIT's web form, please make sure that:
- You qualify as a new or continuing student for this funding. Refer to the definitions at the top of this page.
- If you're an Academic Upgrading student, you need to be enrolled in the classes you're requesting funding for.
- If you're an ESL students, you must have completed the ESL Placement test.
When completing form
Incomplete or ineligible forms will be closed and cancelled. You will need to submit a new NAIT web form once eligibility is met.
Foundational Learning Assistance funding is limited and given on a first come, first service basis to qualified applicants. Funding is not guaranteed.
At this time, the NAIT's web form is not accepting applications for 2024/25 due to limited funding. Eligible ESL students will be emailed a seperate form directly.
After completing the form
It can take up to 10 days for NAIT to verify your enrolment and register you in the Foundational Learning Assistance Program system. Once registered, you'll receive a confirmation email from the Foundational Learning Assistance program with instructions on how to apply for funding.
Step 4: Apply for funding using FLA funding application
After NAIT registers you in the Foundational Learning Assistance system (which may take up to 10 days), you'll get an email from the Foundational Learning Assistance (FLA) program with a link to the FLA funding application.
When completing the application, be aware that:
- You must have a verified account through Alberta.ca Account (formerly MyAlberta Digital ID).
- You have 30 days to complete your application. If not completed within 30 days, it will be cancelled and the funding may be allocated to another student.
- You can apply for funding up to 12 weeks prior to the start dates of your Academic Upgrading or ESL classes. Applying late may result in funding not being approved in time.
After completing steps 1-4 outlined here and NAIT confirms your registration in the FLA system, if you have have questions about your FLA funding application, please contact the Foundational Learning at 780.427.3722 (toll free: 1.800.222.6485).
Step 5: Inform NAIT if your funding is approved
Once approved, please email your Funding Decision Letter to financialaid@nait.ca. Financial Aid will review and determine if a sponsorship indicator can be applied to your account. It can take up to 5 business days to be processed.
Academic Upgrading students must inform NAIT of funding before the tuition deadline to avoid being dropped for non-payment.
ESL students must inform NAIT of funding before the first day of classes.
After receiving funding
If you have any changes to your situation while you attend NAIT (eg. course load or finances), you must update the government by submitting a Change in Circumstance form.