Adult Education

For students who are 20 years and older, there is a cost of $204.03 per credit (as per the Alberta Education Funding Manual) 

Earning an equivalency diploma by gathering credits

Like the Alberta High School Diploma, students who gather 100 school credits are eligible for an equivalency diploma. However, students working towards an equivalency diploma may earn credit for adult education taken outside of high school, for life experience and for maturity. At least 60 credits must be earned through classroom instruction, which must include specific courses.

Once a student has earned enough credits to graduate, they may apply to the principal of their local high school, who will forward their documentation to Alberta Education. More information about gathering credits is available in Alberta Education's Guide to Education.

Upgrading courses or marks

If you do not meet the entrance requirements for a post-secondary program that interests you, either because you’re missing specific high school courses or your marks aren’t high enough, you can either:

1. Retake specific high school courses and/or diploma exams to improve your grades. Your new grade will be the highest classroom mark blended with the highest diploma exam mark.
2. Challenge a diploma exam if you’re over 19 and want to earn credit in a course without taking the course. Your diploma exam mark will be the mark for the entire course.
3. Take only the high school courses you need for post-secondary entrance, without necessarily finishing a diploma. Speak with an advisor at your post-secondary institution to determine what courses you need in order to be admitted to your program.

Types of funding

Most financial assistance is for full-time programs, but not everyone can study full-time. For example, you may need to work while you learn to keep up with ongoing expenses. See how to pay for your post-secondary education, for more information, or see if you qualify for these support programs:

Community adult learning

Programs that offer part-time, informal learning options, like community adult learning, provide supports that help you with:

• child care
• transportation
• waived fees

Contact a community adult learning provider in your area to find out what they provide.

(Refer to https://www.alberta.ca/academic-upgrading-if-you-are-20-or-older retrieved on September 28, 2023).