In response to the growing need for Health Care Assistants (HCAs) in continuing care settings, the Government of Alberta, through the Ministry of Seniors, Community and Social Services (AHS), in partnership with Alberta Health Services (AHS), has launched a new Health Care Assistant Tuition Bursary Program. The program provides up to $9,000 per student, making HCA training more accessible while strengthening Alberta’s nursing workforce.

🎯 Program Objectives and Background

Address workforce shortages: HCAs form the largest workforce segment in continuing care settings. The bursary aims to attract more students into licensed programs and increase the number of certified HCAs working in Alberta's long‑term care, assisted living, home care, and acute care settings.

Reduce financial barriers: This program helps bursary programs to remove barriers for those who wish to enter the HCA profession.

Link training with employment: Recipients must sign a Return of Service Agreement (RSA) to commit to working in Alberta after graduation, ensuring a direct pipeline from education to care delivery

📌 Who Is Eligible?

To apply, applicants must meet all of the following criteria:

Be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.

Be enrolled in or have graduated from a full-time Alberta-licensed HCA program that began on or after July 1, 2022 .

Agree to and sign the Return of Service Agreement, committing to work for an approved continuing care operator in Alberta.

Not have previously received HCA bursary funding at the same Meter Point Reference Number (MPRN) or from other provincial/federal sponsorship schemes—unless declared .

Ineligible applicants include international students, those enrolled in English Language Learner (ELL) or workplace-only HCA programs, or those who graduated before July 1, 2022.

📝 Application Process

Step 1: Apply online via the bursary portal

Run by NorQuest College, the portal collects eligibility documents such as proof of enrollment. Applications are evaluated on a first‑come, first‑served basis, so early submission is advised .

Step 2: Submit Form 2 (Transcript)

After completing Courses 1–5, upload an official transcript showing your grades to unlock the first $3,000 payment.

Step 3: Complete Bank Form

Provide banking details for Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) to receive funds. Sensitive documents (e.g. SIN, void cheque) must be uploaded securely—not emailed .

Step 4: Submit Form 3 (Program Completion)

Once program and provincial exam are finished, submit proof of certification and signed Return of Service Agreement to receive the final $6,000 installment.

Step 5: RSA Tracking

To close out the bursary, students must submit verification of their 2,000 work hours within two years with an approved continuing care facility, or 1,000 hours within one year for workplace bursary recipients.

📈 Program Impact & Government Investment

Alberta allocated approximately CAD 12.8 million toward HCA education funding, including $6.9 million for the tuition bursary initiative and additional funding for the previous Financial Incentive Program and Workplace Tutor Program. These programs aimed to deliver up to CAD 4,000 or $3,200, respectively, depending on the s

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