Financial Incentive Program

The Financial Incentive Program (FIP) supports individuals enrolled in Alberta licensed health care aide programs prior to the availability of the Health Care Aide Tuition Bursary Program. This bursary aims is to immediately increase the number of health care aides working for continuing care operators in Alberta.

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The Financial Incentive Program (FIP) bursary will cease accepting applications effective December 31, 2023. If you wish to complete your application and potentially receive bursary funding, you will need to submit a completed* application prior to this date. *(Completed application means that all information and documents provided are correct as per the bursary requirements). 

One of the following Financial Incentive Program incentives are available for eligible students:

  • $2,000 – Eligible student works as a health care aide in an identified home care continuing care site in Edmonton, Calgary, Red Deer, or within 50 km of those cities’ limits.
  • $3,000 – Eligible student works as a health care aide in an identified continuing care operator list that is between 51 km to 100 km from Edmonton, Calgary, or Red Deer’s city limits; or Fort McMurray, Lethbridge, Medicine Hat, or within 50 km of those cities’ limits.
  • $4,000 – Eligible Student works as a health care aide in an identified continuing care operator list in Grande Prairie or any rural area not included in other definitions.

Eligibility
  • You were enrolled in or graduated from any Alberta licensed health care aide program between January 1, 2022 – June 30, 2022.
  • You are commencing employment as a health care aide at an identified continuing care operator list within two months of graduating from any Alberta licensed health care aide program.
  • You have submitted a Health Care Aide Financial Incentive Program application form along with the supporting documents.
  • You are willing and able to sign a return of service agreement with NorQuest College.

Note: If you do not meet the eligibility requirements, please contact ABhcabursaries@NorQuest.ca
 

What to expect
  • You are required to work for a minimum of 1000 hours with an identified continuing care operator within one calendar year of commencing employment (part-time, full-time, or casual, in any capacity).
  • You may change employers as long as your new employer is also on the identified continuing care operator list.
  • You must report employment status and hours worked at an identified continuing care operator list to NorQuest College.
  • If return of service agreement requirements are not met, you are required to repay your Financial Incentive Program amount.
  • T4A slips will be mailed out end of February for applicants who have received funds.

Note: Repayment of the pro-rated bursary amount received will be expected to NorQuest College in a 30-day period.

The Return of Service agreement is an agreement between the bursary applicant and grant administrator (NorQuest College) which outlines the requirements that need to be completed by the applicant in order to receive the bursary funds. The agreement is in place to ensure the purpose of advancing bursary funds (increasing the amount of certified health care aides across Alberta) is achieved. Bursary recipients are to find their own employment when they graduate with any employers on the identified continuing care operator list.

How to apply

For detailed steps on how to apply, download the how to apply instructions document.

Submit your application to the Financial Incentive Program

Apply Now