Alberta Early Childhood
Educator Bursary

Applying for the bursary

Important information

To be eligible to apply for and keep this bursary, applicants must:

  • Be accepted into an approved Alberta ELCC certificate program at an approved institution with a start date between July 15, 2025 and January 15, 2028
  • Must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident (international students are not eligible)
  • Complete the program within 18 months of starting, or repay the bursary
  • Successfully obtain Level 2 Certification with the Government of Alberta
  • Successfully obtain employment in an Alberta licensed Childcare Program or day home within 18 months and working a minimum of 2000 hours within 2 calendar years (commencing within 3 months of completion of program)

Before you apply

Your application will require an enrollment letter from an approved institution  stating the program's full name and start and end dates of the program. Reach out to the Registrar's office at your post-secondary institution to request a letter to be issued to you.

Apply and gain admission to a program at an institution of your choice

1

Verify that your program is an approved Alberta ELCC certificate program at an approved institution.

Approved institutions are identified in the Certification Guide for Early Childhood Educators Version 1.7 , appendix D, and include (at time of posting):

Alberta public post-secondary institutions offering early learning and child care (ELCC) programs:

  • Bow Valley College
  • Centre collĂ©gial de l'Alberta (French)
  • Keyano College
  • Lakeland College (English)
  • Lethbridge Polytechnic
  • Medicine Hat College
  • NorQuest College
  • Northern Lakes College
  • Northwestern Polytechnic
  • Portage College
  • Red Deer Polytechnic
  • Southern Alberta Institute of Technology

Independent academic institutions offering ELCC programs recognized for certification:

  • Burman University
  • MaKami College

Private career colleges offering approved ELCC programs recognized for certification:

  • Bredin College, Edmonton
  • CDI College, Edmonton/Calgary
  • Maskwacis Cultural College
  • MCG Careers Inc. O/A Train Alberta Inc., Red Deer
  • Robertson College, Edmonton/Calgary
  • University Blue Quills, St. Paul

Submit your bursary application

2

Apply for the Early Childhood Educators Bursary.

  • Complete all the fields in the ECE bursary application form, including the Acknowledgement of Terms section
  • Submit proof of enrollment to an approved ELCC Certificate program at an approved institution.
  • Sign the RSA and Acknowledgement of Terms.

Once submitted, your application will be reviewed within 30 days. Only successful applicants will be contacted. We may reach out to you if additional information is required to complete your application.

3

Receiving your funds

We will send the first $5,000 to you via Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT)

  • If approved, you will be sent the EFT form and other documents to be complete
  • Your payment will be processed and sent via Electronic Funds Transfer within 30 days after submitting your EFT form
  • We will reach out to collect your social insurance number in order to issue a T4A form for taxation purpose
  • Funds will not be sent to your post-secondary institution. It is your responsibility to ensure all payments are made according to your institution’s policies and deadlines
4

Complete your ELCC program

You will have a maximum of 18 months to successfully complete the ELCC Certificate program.

  • You are responsible to ensure you remain in good financial and academic standing with your post-secondary institution.
  • If you do not successfully complete the program within 18 months, you will be required to repay any funds received
5

Initiate second payment

  • Submit your transcript from your post-secondary institution, proving program completion
  • Apply for your Level 2 certification through the Government of Alberta.
  • Submit your proof of Level 2 Certification
  • Secure employment with a licensed provider or day home within 3 months of successful program completio
  • Submit your employer's details
6

Complete the requirements of the Return of Service Agreemen

  • Work a minimum of 2000 hours in the following two years

7

Receive your second payment

  • Funds will be issued after review of all documentation. And confirmation that all requirements and obligations have been met by the recipient

Need help?

Reach out to us with any questions about the bursary at abecebursaries@norquest.ca.