FAQs

The College uses a variety of means to deliver programs and courses to students. Face-to-face delivery methods include classroom, lab work or workshops and practicums. Distance delivery methods include on-line learning technologies using the Internet (Collaborate, Moodle, Brightspace​) and other learning technologies.

Browse through the college viewbook - or visit the programs and courses​ portion of the website. You can also visit a local campus or call Student Services at 1-866-652-3456.

Complete and submit the Application for Admission form on the college website. You will need to order official transcripts to be sent to Northern Lakes college for any previous training that you have completed. Applications can also be submitted through the province-wide application system (www.applyalberta.ca/pub/​) and transcripts from Alberta Education and ApplyAlberta participating institutions will be automatically forwarded. Specific criteria for each program may require additional forms or information be submitted as well. Once all the criteria have been met, the applicant is accepted into the next available offering of the program.

Contact Alberta Education at (780) 427-7219 or visit the Alberta Education website at www.education.gov.ab.ca. There is a charge for official transcripts, unless it is forwarded through the ApplyAlberta system when a program application is submitted through there. For high school transcripts from other provinces, contact the school attended for information on obtaining official transcripts.

Call Admissions at (780) 849-8600 (toll free: 1-866-652-3456).

Transcripts are issued to the address in the college student information system upon completion of the program or at the end of the academic year. Statements of marks are issued at the end of each term, if applicable.

Obtain a document request form and submit it along with the appropriate fee to any NLC campus or forward it to Student Records:

Via mail to: Student Records Services, Grouard Campus, Bag 3000, Grouard AB T0G 1C0; via fax (780) 751-3355 or via Email to records@northernlakescollege.ca

Document Request Form

At the convocation ceremony, students receive a congratulatory letter if they are enrolled in the courses required for certification. When the final marks for all required courses in a program have been entered into the student record and it is verified that the required courses have been successfully completed, a certificate/diploma is mailed to the student.

Call Student Records (780) 751-3235 and they will assist you.

Speak with your instructor or program advisor about withdrawing from the program. It is also recommended that students speak with the counsellor before making the decision to withdraw. A withdrawal form is completed and forwarded to the Registrar's Office by the instructor. A refund will be issued if the withdrawal is within the deadline date (20% of the course length) and the refund will be 75% of the tuition fee. If the withdrawal is within the first 10 business days of the course, a full refund of fees will be issued.

Students registered at one campus may transfer to another campus (in the same program) if there is space available. Students must speak with their instructor or program advisor and their counsellor to request this and complete the appropriate request form.

Transfers between programs require a new application and the student must meet the entrance requirements for the new program. Acceptance into the new program is dependent on space availability and whether there is time to complete the program or courses.

In order to secure a seat in the program that you applied for, you must pay a non-deferable and non-refundable Commitment Deposit. If this deposit is not paid within 4 weeks of acceptance, you may forfeit your seat in the program. The Commitment Deposit for domestic students is $100. This deposit will be applied toward your tuition. 

Tuition Deposits are required to hold a seat in an oversubscribed program. These programs include Addictions Counselling, Advanced Care Paramedic, Practical Nurse, Primary Care Paramedic and Social Work. This deposit is due by May 1 and is non-refundable except where the payment is made early and withdraw is received in writing prior to May 1. The Tuition deposit is $300 for domestic students and will be applied toward your tuition when the term begins. Applicants who do not pay the Tuition deposit by May 1 may forfeit their seat in the program and their application will be closed.

For questions regarding the Tuition and Commitment deposits, call admissions at 1-866-652-3456.

Most programs will also have a learning resource fee for texts, materials, technology and other resources (or a specific charge for materials/books). Membership in the Students' Association is mandatory for most programs and students pay a Students' Association fee.

Programs may also have other charges or costs associated with it to cover equipment, practicum, travel, camp costs, additional supplies, etc. Each program will have specific fees that apply and these fees are available through the college website, the College Academic Calendar or by contacting Admissions. In addition, relevant fees are sent out to applicants upon acceptance into a program.

Some sponsorship (Foundational Learning Assistance, EI) issue monthly student living allowance through direct deposit to students' bank accounts. The first payment in each term may include funds to cover their books and Learning Resource fee. Students must ensure that they keep funds to pay the Learning Resource fee at registration.

The types of funding available may vary depending on the program being taken. Sponsorship can include fees and living costs or may only be for specific needs such as tuition or living costs. A student may receive funding from more than one source (ie fees paid by SFB and living allowance from their Band).

Counsellors are available to assist applicants in identifying options for funding, assisting in completing applications or providing advice on applying for funding.

There are a number of awards that are administered through the College's Student Awards that recognize academic excellence or assist with financial need. Information on these awards is available by contacting a college counsellor at 1-866-652-3456 or email awards@northernlakescollege.ca. Find out more by visiting the Schola​rship and Awards​​​ web page.
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In addition to the awards offered through the Student Awards Committee, there are many other awards that students can apply for through external sources, depending on the program they are attending or their individual situation. Information on some of these awards is available at the following sites:
www.alis.gov.ab.ca/scholarships/main.asp
www.studentawards.com

Students Finance Board may approve student loans for students and the forms that are sent to the students require a signature from NLC staff specifically designated by SFB. At NLC, these forms must be forwarded to the Registrar's Office to be completed and signed. The forms are then returned to the student at their home address (or by internal college courier to the campus) so they can take them to participating Post Office's for processing.

Students paying their own fees may pay by:

1. Visiting the “Make a Payment” link on our website
2. Online banking online bill payment by adding Northern Lakes College as a payee and your Student ID as the account number
3. By visiting one of our campuses and paying by cash, cheque, debit, Visa or MasterCard.

After registration, student sponsors will be invoiced for fees if a letter has been submitted to the Registrar's Office confirming what fees are covered.

Fees are due on or before the first day of classes.

If required, special arrangements for payment of fees may be made in advance by contacting the Registrar's Office.​​

Make A Payment