Advanced Education (News Archive)

2005 News Releases

March 9, 2005

Legislation amendments will build more flexibility into Alberta’s student finance system

Edmonton... Bill 14, the Student Financial Assistance Amendment Act, was introduced in the Legislature March 9 by Advanced Education and Technology Minister Dave Hancock. The bill proposes minor changes to the Student Financial Assistance Act that will add clarity and better reflect current student finance operational practices.

"Alberta has one of the most generous student financial assistance programs in the country," said Dave Hancock, Minister of Advanced Education and Technology. "These changes will help ensure that the program remains flexible and responsive to the needs of students."

The three amendments proposed are:

  • Deleting references to "categories of students" to allow more flexibility in determining how student loan limits are set and to allow for case-by-case exceptions.
  • Clarifying reference to lifetime loan limits so it is clear that these limits are based on the total aggregate loans received by the student over his/her lifetime, and not on the outstanding principal amount owed by the student.
  • Clarifying that Cabinet has authority to make regulations related to eligibility for financial assistance and the establishment of loan limits.

For more information on Bill 14, the Student Financial Assistance Amendment Act, visit http://www.assembly.ab.ca/adr/adr_template.aspx?type=bills.