Student Loans and Payment Options
Plan for your education with clear financial information.
Paying for school is an important part of choosing the right program. Depending on your program and personal circumstances, you may be able to apply for government student loans and grants, arrange a direct payment plan with GD College, receive funding through another organization, or pay your tuition in full.
Our admissions team can explain the available options and help you understand the required documents and application steps. Government funding decisions are made by the appropriate student aid authority, not by GD College.
Government Student Aid
Students enrolled in eligible GD College diploma programs may apply for government student funding.
A single Alberta Student Aid application is used to assess eligible students for provincial and federal loans and grants. The amount offered depends on factors such as financial need, family income, living situation, study costs and program eligibility.
Student aid may help with:
- ✓ Tuition and mandatory school fees
- ✓ Books and required supplies
- ✓ Living expenses during the study period
- ✓ Transportation and other approved educational costs
Government student aid may not cover every expense. Students are responsible for reviewing their funding assessment and planning for any remaining balance.
Eligible Diploma Programs
Government student funding may be available for qualifying students enrolled in approved GD College diploma programs, including:
Program approval does not guarantee that an individual student will receive funding. The appropriate student aid authority determines each applicant's eligibility and approved funding amount.
Basic Alberta Student Aid Eligibility
Applicants generally need to meet citizenship, residency, financial and academic requirements. You may be eligible to apply through Alberta Student Aid if you:
- ✓ Are a Canadian citizen, permanent resident or protected person
- ✓ Meet Alberta Student Aid residency requirements
- ✓ Are enrolled in an approved program
- ✓ Demonstrate financial need
- ✓ Maintain satisfactory academic progress
- ✓ Have not reached the maximum student aid limits
- ✓ Are not restricted from receiving additional government student funding
For many independent students, Alberta must be the most recent province in which they lived for 12 consecutive months while they were not attending post-secondary school full-time.
Different residency rules may apply to dependent, married or common-law students. Students who do not meet Alberta residency requirements may need to apply through the student aid authority in their home province or territory.
What You May Need Before Applying
Gathering your information before starting the application can make the process easier. You may need:
- ✓ A verified Alberta.ca Account
- ✓ Social Insurance Number
- ✓ Alberta Student Number
- ✓ Current address and contact information
- ✓ Program name and study dates
- ✓ Tuition and educational cost information
- ✓ Income information from your most recent tax return
- ✓ Your 2025 Notice of Assessment
- ✓ Banking information for direct deposit
- ✓ Emergency contact information
- ✓ Spouse or partner information, when applicable
- ✓ Dependent information, when applicable
- ✓ Immigration or residency documents, when requested
- ✓ Separation, custody or other supporting documents, when relevant
Alberta Student Aid may request additional documents depending on your personal circumstances.
How to Apply for Alberta Student Aid
Complete the GD College Admission Process
Before your enrolment can be finalized, you must complete the college's required admission and registration steps, including the registration form, educational documents, mandatory interview, the non-refundable $100 registration fee, and meeting admission requirements. GD College can then provide the enrolment information needed for your application.
Create or Verify Your Alberta.ca Account
You need a verified Alberta.ca Account to access the Alberta Student Aid application system. Verification can take time, especially when an activation code must be delivered by mail — start early.
Submit Your Student Aid Application
Complete the application using the correct school name, program name, start and end dates, and tuition and mandatory fee amounts. Review carefully — incorrect information can delay the application.
Check Your Student Aid Inbox
Alberta Student Aid may send requests for documents, forms or clarification through your online account. Check regularly and respond promptly — applications requiring review may take longer.
Review Your Award Letter
Your award letter shows the types of funding offered, approved amounts, expected payment dates, amounts sent to the college or released to you, and any conditions to complete. The approved amount may differ from what was requested.
Complete Your Loan Agreements
First-time borrowers may need to complete provincial and federal loan agreements before funding is released. Your federal loan account is managed through the National Student Loans Service Centre — incomplete agreements may delay funding.
Apply Early
Students should not leave their funding application until the program is about to begin. Applying early gives you more time to:
- ✓ Correct application mistakes
- ✓ Submit requested documents
- ✓ Complete your loan agreements
- ✓ Understand your approved funding
- ✓ Arrange payment for any remaining balance
- ✓ Prepare for books, supplies and living expenses
Submitting an application does not guarantee that funding will arrive before classes begin.
How Student Aid Funds Are Released
Government student aid may include both Alberta and Canada funding. Depending on the funding assessment:
- ✓ Approved tuition may be sent directly to GD College
- ✓ Some funding may be deposited into the student's bank account
- ✓ Funding for books, supplies, living expenses or other approved costs may be released to the student
- ✓ Funding may be divided into more than one payment during the study period
When kit or supply funding is released directly to the student, the student remains responsible for paying the required kit or supply balance to GD College.
Government funding deposited into a student's personal account is not automatically considered payment to the college.
Student Loans and Grants Are Different
Student Loans
A student loan is borrowed government funding that must usually be repaid after the student finishes or leaves school.
Student Grants
A grant is funding that normally does not need to be repaid, provided the student continues to meet the grant conditions.
A grant may be reassessed or converted into a loan if the student:
- ✓ Withdraws from the program
- ✓ Stops attending
- ✓ Changes their study status
- ✓ Provides inaccurate information
- ✓ No longer meets the grant requirements
- ✓ Has their study period or education costs reassessed
Students should review their funding assessment and loan documents carefully.
While You Are Studying
Government student loans are generally payment-free while you remain enrolled in eligible studies and your enrolment is properly confirmed. Students must tell Alberta Student Aid and GD College about important changes, including:
- ✓ A change in address or banking information
- ✓ A change in marital or family status
- ✓ A withdrawal or extended absence
- ✓ A change in course load
- ✓ A change in program dates
- ✓ A transfer to another program or institution
- ✓ A significant change in income or financial circumstances
Changes to attendance or enrolment can affect current funding, future funding and grant eligibility.
Students with existing loans who return to school without receiving new funding may need to confirm their enrolment separately to keep those loans in study status.
Repaying Government Student Loans
Repayment does not normally begin while you are actively enrolled in eligible studies. Federal and provincial student loans may follow different repayment timelines. Students should review the repayment information provided through their individual loan accounts.
Through your loan accounts, you can:
- ✓ Review your loan balance
- ✓ Update your contact and banking information
- ✓ View your payment schedule
- ✓ Make additional payments
- ✓ Review available repayment options
- ✓ Apply for repayment assistance when eligible
Students are responsible for managing their loans after leaving school.
Help Is Available if Repayment Becomes Difficult
Borrowers who are having difficulty making payments may be able to apply for the Repayment Assistance Plan. Depending on income, family size and loan balance, an approved applicant may receive:
- ✓ A reduced monthly payment
- ✓ A temporary period with no required payment
- ✓ Government assistance with eligible loan costs
Repayment assistance is not automatic. Borrowers must apply and may need to reapply if continued assistance is required. Students should contact the appropriate loan service provider before missing payments whenever possible.
GD College Payment Plans
Students who are not using government student aid may be able to arrange a direct tuition payment plan with GD College. Payment plans divide the program cost into scheduled instalments instead of requiring the full tuition amount at one time.
The exact payment arrangement depends on:
- ✓ The selected diploma program
- ✓ The program length
- ✓ Tuition and required fees
- ✓ The student's registration date
- ✓ The amount paid before classes begin
- ✓ The approved payment schedule
All payment plans must be reviewed and approved before the program begins.
How a Payment Plan Works
A typical payment plan may include:
- ✓ The non-refundable registration fee
- ✓ An initial tuition payment before or at the beginning of the program
- ✓ Scheduled monthly instalments during the program
- ✓ Payment of any kit, supply or mandatory fee balance
- ✓ Full payment by the deadline listed in the student contract
The payment amount and due dates will be listed in the student's written payment schedule. Students should not rely on a verbal payment arrangement — the approved schedule should be reviewed and signed before classes begin.
Accepted Payment Methods
GD College accepts:
Debit and credit card payments are not currently accepted.
Payment instructions will be provided by the admissions or administration team. Students should keep copies of all receipts and payment confirmations.
Paying Tuition in Full
Students may choose to pay their tuition in full instead of using government funding or monthly instalments. An approved 5% full-payment discount may be available when the complete eligible program balance is paid according to the college's requirements.
The full-payment discount:
- ✓ Must be approved before payment
- ✓ Cannot be combined with another discount, promotion or scholarship
- ✓ May not apply to every fee or program
- ✓ Is subject to the terms provided by GD College
Ask admissions for a written total before submitting payment.
Third-Party Funding
Some students may receive financial support from another organization. Possible funding sources may include:
Third-party funding normally requires written approval or a sponsorship letter. The student remains responsible for ensuring that:
- ✓ The funding organization has the correct school and program information
- ✓ Required documents are submitted on time
- ✓ The approved amount is understood
- ✓ Any amount not covered by the sponsor is paid by the student
- ✓ Payment is received by the college by the required deadline
Approval by an outside organization is not controlled by GD College.
Important Payment Responsibilities
Regardless of the payment method selected, students are responsible for:
- ✓ Reading their student contract
- ✓ Understanding the full program cost
- ✓ Following the agreed payment schedule
- ✓ Paying amounts not covered by loans, grants or sponsorship
- ✓ Informing the college promptly about a funding delay
- ✓ Keeping copies of payment and funding documents
- ✓ Paying required kit or supply amounts released directly to them
- ✓ Completing all financial obligations before graduation documents are issued
A pending student aid application does not automatically postpone payment obligations unless GD College has approved a written arrangement. Late or missed payments may result in fees or other actions under the student contract and college policies.
Withdrawals and Changes to Enrolment
Withdrawing from a program can affect both the student's account with GD College and their government student aid. A withdrawal may result in:
- ✓ A recalculation of tuition
- ✓ A refund being sent to the funding provider
- ✓ A reduction or cancellation of future funding
- ✓ Grants being reassessed or converted into loans
- ✓ An outstanding amount owed to GD College
- ✓ Earlier student loan repayment
- ✓ Restrictions on future funding
Refunds and tuition calculations are completed according to the student contract and applicable Alberta requirements.
Students considering withdrawal should speak with administration before making a final decision so they understand the possible academic and financial consequences.
Frequently asked questions
No. Alberta Student Aid or the student's home province determines eligibility and funding amounts. GD College provides the school and enrolment information needed to support the application.
No. Enrolment in an eligible program does not guarantee approval. Government funding is based on the applicant's eligibility, financial circumstances and available funding limits.
It may cover all, part or none of the required amount. Students must review their award letter and arrange payment for any remaining balance.
Eligible applicants may be assessed for both through the same application. The amount and type of funding depend on the government assessment.
The application must be completed by the student because it contains private financial, tax, identity and family information. Our team can provide program details and general guidance, but students are responsible for the accuracy of their application.
You may need to apply through your previous province or territory if you do not meet Alberta's residency requirements. Residency rules vary depending on whether you are independent, dependent, married or common-law.
Contact GD College as soon as possible. A funding delay does not automatically change the payment deadline, but administration can review your situation and explain the available options.
This must be discussed and approved by GD College. Any temporary payment arrangement should be confirmed in writing.
No. Discounts, scholarships and promotional offers cannot be combined unless GD College confirms otherwise in writing.
Start with a clear financial plan
You do not need to understand every part of student funding before contacting us. Our admissions team can help you identify:
- ✓ Whether your selected program may qualify for student aid
- ✓ Which program information is needed for the application
- ✓ What documents you should prepare
- ✓ Whether a direct payment plan may be available
- ✓ What financial steps must be completed before classes begin
The final student aid application, funding decision and loan agreement remain the student's responsibility.
Important Notice
Funding rules, government processes and eligibility requirements may change. Information on this page is general and does not guarantee funding or constitute financial advice.
Students should confirm current requirements directly with Alberta Student Aid, the National Student Loans Service Centre or the student aid authority in their home province or territory.