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.

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.

For Spring 2024 

Foundational Learning Assistance funding registration has closed for the upcoming Spring 2024 term as all funds have been assigned to students. Fall 2024 registration will open in June. 

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

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Spring 2024 registration for Foundational Learning Assistance funding has closed as all funds have been allocated. 

1. Determine your eligibility for funding

Get a head start exploring your eligibility for Foundational Learning Assistance funding. If you can answer "yes" to all of the following questions, you may qualify for funding:

  • Are you planning to attend ESL or Academic Upgrading 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 Foundational Learning Assistance.

2. Apply and be accepted to NAIT

Academic Upgrading

You must apply, be accepted, and have enrolled in classes. To be considered a  full-time Academic Upgrading student, you are required to be enrolled in 60% of a full-time course load (minimum of 2 classes). 

English as a Second Language (ESL)

You must have completed the NAIT ESL placement test. To be considered a full-time ESL student, you are required to be enrolled in a minimum of 20 hours of instruction per week (3 classes).

If you require a reduced course load

Foundational Learning Assistance students requiring a reduced course load, due to a documented chronic or permanent disability, must have the appropriate approval from NAIT Learning Services.

Foundational Learning Assistance funding registration has closed for the upcoming Spring 2024 term as all funds have been assigned to students. Fall 2024 registration will open in June. 

3. Complete the NAIT web form

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.

Before completing NAIT's web form

Before you complete NAIT's web form, please make sure that:

  1. You qualify as a new or continuing student for this funding. Refer to the definitions at the top of this page. 
  2. If you're an Academic upgrading student, you need to be enrolled in the classes you're requesting funding for.
  3. 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.

NAIT's web form for Spring 2024 has closed.

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.

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).

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.

6. While attending NAIT

If you have any changes to your situation, you must update the government by submitting a Change in Circumstance form.

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