Alberta Students & Education Tax Credits (2025 Guide)
Alberta students and their families can access a range of education-related tax credits, deductions, and cash supports—on top of all Canada-wide programs. Whether you’re attending university, college, technical school, or an approved training program, understanding how to claim tuition and education amounts, interest on student loans, and Alberta Student Aid can significantly reduce your tax bill and boost your refund. This guide covers all major Alberta and federal education credits, claim strategies, and tips for maximizing your financial support as a student or supportive parent in 2025.
- Covered Topics: Alberta tuition/education amounts (carryforward), student aid, interest on student loans, and provincial/federal education credits
- Who’s Eligible: Full-time/part-time students, post-secondary and technical students, parents claiming transferred credits
- Quick Links: Tuition Amounts, Student Aid, Loan Interest, Claiming & Carryforward
Alberta Tuition & Education Amounts (Carryforward)
Alberta Tuition & Education Amounts: Alberta eliminated the provincial tuition and education credits for new amounts after 2019. However, if you earned unused Alberta tuition or education amounts prior to 2020, you can still carry forward and claim these credits on your Alberta tax return (Schedule AB(S11)).
- Track unused balances from 2019 and earlier—these can be claimed in future years until used up.
- You cannot claim new Alberta tuition/education credits for studies after 2019, but you can claim federal tuition amounts for eligible tuition paid in 2020 and beyond (see below).
- Students may transfer up to $5,000 of unused current-year federal tuition amounts to a parent, grandparent, or spouse.
- Carryforward amounts are tracked by the CRA and reported on your Notice of Assessment.
Tip: Always keep your T2202 Tuition and Enrolment Certificates from your institution for at least 6 years—they are required to support your claim.
Alberta Student Aid: Grants & Loans
Alberta Student Aid includes needs-based and merit-based grants, loans, and scholarships for Alberta residents attending eligible post-secondary programs. Student Aid Alberta is combined with Canada Student Loans for most applicants. Key points:
- Provincial and federal student loans/grants are administered together—apply through the Alberta Student Aid portal.
- Scholarships and bursaries received are generally not taxable if you are eligible to claim the education amount for the program.
- Student loans are not taxable, but any loan forgiveness may be taxable in the year forgiven.
For more, visit: Alberta Student Aid.
Claiming Interest on Student Loans
Student Loan Interest Tax Credit: You can claim a non-refundable tax credit for the interest paid on federal and Alberta student loans (for post-secondary education) on your federal tax return (Schedule 1, Line 31900).
- Only official government student loans qualify (not private lines of credit).
- Unused interest amounts can be carried forward for up to 5 years.
- This credit can only be claimed by the student (not parents or spouses).
Tip: Save interest payment statements from your loan provider. Claim the interest in the year paid or carry it forward if you don’t need it this year.
Claiming, Carryforward & Transfer: Education Tax Strategies
- Claim all eligible tuition/education amounts on your federal and Alberta returns (if you have carryforward), using info from your T2202 certificate.
- Transfer unused current-year federal tuition (up to $5,000) to a parent, grandparent, or spouse—complete the transfer section on your tax return and designate the recipient on your T2202.
- Carryforward any unused tuition/education amounts—these will be reported on your Notice of Assessment for future use.
- Remember: Alberta tuition/education credits are only for unused pre-2020 amounts. All current tuition amounts go to the federal credit.
Pro Tip: If your income is low and you can’t use all your credits this year, carry them forward to a future year when your income (and tax payable) is higher.