Healthcare Practicum Funding

Overview

The Healthcare Practicum Funding program is offered by Alberta Health Services (AHS), through funds provided by the government of Alberta. The purpose of this program is to support students considering a northern location placement for their practicum.

Within the northern zone, there are designated locations and practicum positions that can be funded. This funding can help you with the costs of travel to and from a community, commuting between 2 northern communities and with accommodation costs when you are here.

Important Dates

If your practicum occurs within these dates:

  • April 1, 2024, to March 31, 2025 – all available funding for this fiscal cycle has been allocated.
  • April 1, 2025, to March 31, 2026 – applications need to be submitted before February 15, 2026.
  • April 1, 2026, to March 31, 2027 – applications need to be submitted before February 15, 2027.

How to Apply

  1. Arrange the practicum with your placement coordinator.
  2. Complete the application form
  3. Notify your placement coordinator to monitor their emails. They need to approve the Jotform that is sent to their email in order for your application form to be automatically sent to AHS for review. You will be notified by email from AHS if your funding has been approved.

If approved, you will receive the funding at the end of your practicum placement with proof of receipts and upon approval of the placement coordinator. You will also be asked to complete an evaluation at the end of your practicum as part of program evaluation.

Please contact student.strategies@ahs.ca if you have any questions.

Funding

Funding approval is not automatic. Funds are limited and applications may be prioritized based on regional demand. Funding is available up to these maximum amounts based on practicum duration:

  • $1200 for 0 to 3 months
  • $1800 for 3 to 6 months
  • $2500 for 6+ months

All claimed costs must be accompanied by receipts and are subject to final review and approval by the placement coordinator.

Find further details on accommodation, travel, and daily commuting costs in the tabs below.

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Accommodation

Accommodation claims are based on a daily rate of $20 ($25 for your second northern practicum) if you need to keep your other residence.

For example, an 8-week practicum is 56 days:

  • 56 days x $20 a day = $1120

This can be claimed with receipts for secondary accommodation and proof of payment for a primary dwelling.

Travel

Travel in Alberta is subject to mileage reimbursement from the location of school to your practicum site at 50.5 cents per kilometre.

For example, Edmonton to Manning:

  • 600 km x 2 (return) = 1200 km
  • 1200 km x 50.5 cents = $606
Daily Commuting

Daily commuting mileage is reimbursed for students originating in northern centres to your practicum site at 50.5 cents per kilometre.

For example, study in Grande Prairie with a daily commute to Fairview:

  • 110 km x 2 (return) = 220 km
  • 220 km x 50.5 cents = $111.10
  • $111.10 x 12 days = $1333.20

Airfare may be claimed by out of province students only.