Grants, Loans & Tax Benefits

Alberta Student Aid provides loans and grants to apprentices registered in the Alberta apprenticeship program with Apprenticeship and Industry Training who are attending an approved technical training program as a full-time student.

As long as you are registered and progressing as an apprentice, you will remain in interest-free status on your current and previous Alberta student loans for the duration of your apprenticeship program including technical training and on-the-job training.  For more information on loans for apprentices, visit Alberta Student Aid.

The Canada Apprentice Loan is an initiative of the Government of Canada to help complete your apprenticeship in a designated Red Seal trade. You can apply for up to $4,000 in interest-free loans per period of technical training. The money would be available to help with tuition, tools, equipment and living expenses, to cover forgone wages and to help support your family.

The Apprenticeship Incentive Grant (AIG) is a taxable cash grant of $1,000 per year, to a maximum of $2,000 per person. This Grant helps registered apprentices get started in designated Red Seal trades.

The Apprenticeship Incentive Grant for Women (AIG-W) is a taxable cash grant of $3,000 per year, to a maximum of $6,000 per person. This Grant helps women get started in designated Red Seal trades that feature low female representation. The following Red Seal trades are ineligible for this Grant: Baker, Cook, Hairstylist, Landscape Horticulturist and Parts Technician.

Visit Apprenticeship Incentive Grants for details.

The Apprenticeship Completion Grant (ACG) is a taxable cash grant of $2,000. This Grant helps registered apprentices who have completed their training to become certified journeypersons in the designated Red Seal trades. Visit Canada Apprenticeship Grants for detailed information.

The Apprenticeship Job Creation Tax Credit (AJCTC) is a non-refundable tax credit for an employer that is equal to 10% of the eligible salaries and wages payable to eligible apprentices in respect of employment after May 1, 2006. The maximum credit an employer can claim is $2,000 per year for each eligible apprentice.

Canada Revenue offers a tax benefit in the form of the Tradespersons' Tools Deduction  Apprentices may be able to deduct the cost of eligible tools bought to earn employment income as a skilled tradesperson.