Skills Investment Office MC221, Heart Building 1301-16 Avenue NW, Calgary, AB T2M 0L4 Phone : 403.284.7054 E-mail: Skills Investment
Skills Investment Program (Full-time Funding) - Frequently Asked Questions
I have just been accepted to my program at SAIT and I heard about Skills Investment funding. How do I apply?
Please review the basic SIP eligibility criteria. If you feel you qualify, please follow the step by step instructions listed on the web site. If you submit your documentation via e-mail and have not heard from our office within 10-15 business days, please contact us immediately.
I am a visiting student of another country here on a work/study permit. Would I qualify for funding?
Only students who are Canadian citizens, permanent residents or of refugee status (conditions apply) are eligible to apply for this funding. Visitors do not qualify.
I just arrived here from another province to begin school at SAIT. Would I qualify for funding?
Alberta Works (Non-EI) applicants must be a resident of Alberta during the time of application. Students applying must provide 4-6 weeks viable job search in Alberta prior to applying for funding.
I have previously received funding from another Alberta post secondary school and I have been accepted to a program at SAIT. However, I was recently told that I do not have enough funding months left to qualify for the entire program. Can I still get funding for some of the program?
The policy as set by AEI is that if you have exhausted funding for the entire program, then we cannot provide any funding as there are processes and requirements that we must be able to complete following completion of your program that we will be unable to do if we cannot fund you for the duration of your program. You will have to seek alternative resources.
I was told that I should apply for both a student loan and SIP funding at the same time so that I can choose which option is best at the end. Should I do this?
We caution all potential SIP clients NOT to apply for a student loan while they are applying for SIP funding. Processing times for student loans are much quicker and once you have been approved for a student loan you are no longer eligible for SIP funding. We ask that you evaluate your SIP options before you consider a student loan. You cannot receive both a student loan and SIP funding at the same time.
I am wait-listed for a program at SAIT but I still want to apply for funding in case I am accepted. What do I do?
You can still apply for SIP funding through our office and follow all steps listed on our web site. However, we cannot send your paperwork to Student Finance as SAIT cannot sign off on Section 8 of your application form until you receive formal SAIT acceptance. We strongly recommend that you assess your likelihood of getting into your program and proceed from there.
What do I need to know to complete the assessment form for full-time funding? (See step 2 of the SIP full-time funding web page.)
Please fill in all questions and answer all questions honestly. We ask that you do not edit, alter or convert any portion of this spreadsheet as it will affect the set-up of the page and compromise the assessment results. If this occurs, you will be asked to re-submit your assessment. In completing the financial information, please indicate and provide an accurate amount or reasonable estimate of all financial costs and resources.
I am currently employed full time but I plan to leave my job to attend a SAIT program. Will I be eligible for funding?
If your intent is to quit a position for which you have worked a minimum of 9 hours per week for the last 12 weeks or more, you may not be eligible for funding.AEI is encouraging Albertans to keep employment during this economic recession. Please disclose your employment terms and intentions in your assessment and this will be addressed by your SIP Advisor.
I am currently receiving EI benefits. I don’t want or need funding for tuition or books. I just want my EI benefits to continue while I am in school. Do I have to apply for funding?
All EI clients are expected to complete the application process for funding. You must complete the on-line assessment and all supporting documentation through www.sait.ca/sip. Otherwise your EI benefits will be frozen when you begin training. There are no exceptions.
What documentation do I have to provide as part of the application process?
Please view steps 2-4 of the SIP full-time funding web page. It lists and provides access to the documentation required.
Why do I have to demonstrate that I have completed a job search?
Job search is required to demonstrate that you are currently seeking positions within the region but have failed to find viable employment that would allow you to cover your (and your family’s) monthly costs. This will show that you need further training to gain viable employment. This is also an expectation of all potential clients receiving EI benefits as part of the EI process.
What type of job search are you requiring as part of the application process?
We expect that you utilize the Alberta Government job bank as well as other regional employment sites to apply for a minimum of five positions per week for three plus months and keep a written record of this account, including webpage receipts of submission. You will be expected to apply to positions within your current level of training or experience as well as other viable positions within the region. Longer job search will be required of SIP applicants with previous education and experience from Canada and other Countries.
I have previous post-secondary education. How will this affect my application?
If you have received a certificate, diploma, degree or other designation within Canada in the last 4 years OR have recent experience in your field of training regardless of the date you finished your education, it will affect your application. However, there are some exceptions. Please complete and submit the assessment form (step 2) and indicate your recent education as well as a detailed explanation as to why you cannot find viable employment within your field of training. Extensive job search will be expected in your case as proof. You will be contacted by the SIP Advisor discuss your situation.
My recent post-secondary education was obtained outside of Canada. Will this still affect my application?
You will need to conduct an extensive job search to demonstrate that you are unable to utilize your training to obtain a viable position within Canada. You may be eligible for ESL training but not occupational training through SIP. This will be determined by the SIP Funding Counsellor.
I have been accepted to my program and the tuition deadline for SAIT is coming up. Will my tuition be deferred or delayed until my funding goes through?
Unfortunately, you will be required to pay the tuition required for the semester. This is why we encourage all students to apply early for funding as processing by Student Finance can take 4-6 weeks (possibly longer during busy periods). The SIP office can only recommend funding and provide an estimate of the amounts you will receive. All final approvals are made by Students Finance. SAIT has its own financial responsibilities and unless you have received a formal Notice of Assessment from Students Finance you will be expected to pay on that deadline date or you will lose your seat for your program. We expect that you apply for funding immediately after you receive a SAIT acceptance letter for your program.
I would like to apply for SIP funding but my spouse/partner has a good job earning high wages. Will this affect my funding?
Funding will be affected by your partner/spouse’s income: $230 (net income) per month is exempt plus 25% of all earnings over the $230 amount. The remaining amount is considered part of household income and will be considered in calculating your funding amount.
I plan to work part time during my program. How would funding be affected?
Clients receiving EI benefits: Please contact your EI office to determine the number of hours you can work. EI is independent (Federal Government) from SIP (Provincial Government) and all employment information must be reported to EI. Any earnings could negatively affect your EI benefits.
Clients not receiving EI benefits: You can work as many hours and you like and your funding will not be affected.
I have money invested in RRSPs. Will that affect potential funding?
RRSP’s under $100,000 are not a factor unless you plan to cash them in for extra money.
The SIP funding counsellor just told me that I will not be eligible for funding. Can I appeal this decision?
All funding applicants have the right to appeal funding decisions. As now mandated by AEI, funding appeals are handled internally at SAIT by non-biased parties. Please contact your SAIT SIP Advisor to initiate the appeal process.
I have just discovered that I am not eligible for SIP funding. Are there other alternatives?
Alberta Student Loans may be available for programs greater than 12 weeks in length. Personal lines of credit and loans from other Financial Lending Institutions are always other options.
