More than 100 Calgary college students waiting on Alberta student aid funds for nearly a year

Dozens of students from Calgary's Qcom College of Technology (QCT College) say they've been waiting upwardof eight months for funding they were approved for by Alberta Student Aid to be disbursed, and now, after a 45-day review period has come and gone, they still don't have any answers or money.

In April, CBC News reported a small group of students in QCT's medical office assistance program who had been approved for student aid funding by the province hadn't received a penny of their promised funding for living and tuition, and thatjust that weektheir account statuses changed from approved to under review.

Student Michelle Duka said when the reviews were launched, she and many of her fellow classmates facing this issue, immediately uploaded any documents that were being asked of them by Alberta Student Aid. Up to now,theyhaven't received any updates from the province.

'Frustrated, mad, angry'

Since then, students like Duka have written their final exams and started mandatorypracticums,but still haven't been able to pay the school a dime in tuition.

"I'm so frustrated, mad, angry," she said."AndI'm stressed out because I don't know what to do anymore ... I cannot afford to pay it from my own pocket, the tuition."

Classmate Cyrine Oppus Bationsaid communicating with student aid has been most difficult. She was most recently told over the phone that she would receive an update at the end of this week, so she continues to wait.

After patiently waiting for a few months, still no outcome.- Cyrine Oppus Bation

"You are expecting that you were able to receive that money. But unfortunately, you know, after patiently waiting for a few months, still no outcome," she said.

"You have to come up with something to for you to to pay some of your bills, because you know that the student loan you are expecting that one will help for you financially. Right? But now it's not."

More than 100 students waiting

QCT's CEO Saqib QureshisaidDukaand Oppus Bation arejust twoof more than 100 students at the school whose student aid funding for tuition and living is under review by the province.

He said when students don't get their student aid funding for tuition, the school doesn't get paid either

"Even if we did not get the funds, I will not stop a graduation or diploma. So I graduated them. Every week I'm doing10, 15graduations without the funds. Honestly,we are withoutthe funds from the last like nine months," he said.

Student aid scam

Qureshi said he understands why the province does these reviews, and knows that some students do try to scam the student aid system.

"Some of the students honestly, they are not truly fair with their education. They arejust going for the funds," he said, explaining that some students register with the school and apply for student aid and then drop out once they receive the funds.

"That's why they are reviewing thefunds, to see ifthe students are actually legitornot."

He suspects that there may be dozens of these cases from peoplewho initially registered with QCTunder false pretences.

But,Qureshi said while it's standard to undertake these reviews, and have students submit specific paperwork to prove they arelegitimate students, those who have complied and now the school arepaying the price.

'We are badly affected too'

"We are badly affected too. Thisis affecting the school,too. We have to give our teachers the salaries. We have to paythe rent. We have had to reduce the staff too. It's not easy," he said.

"I tried to raise my voice [to the province]forthose students who already complied. They should not have thesedelays."

Duka saidshe doesn't fault the school for the situation, and has been happy they've allowed students in this predicament to carry on with their education.

"It doesn't have any control of the situation because he if we have no funds, the tuitions arenot being paid," she said.

"Thankfully, the school is doing continuously their part. They didn't stop on teaching us. They're not asking us what to do nextin regards to the tuition fees, they just continue on with theirduty."

Reviews continue, says province

Back in April, Advanced Education, which is responsible for student aid, said these reviews were part of a standard process.

"The standard review is applied to all applications, regardless of the institution."

Inan email on Tuesday, the ministry saidthat no onewas available for an interview.

Butit said a significant increase in applications led to student aid delays, and work continues on applications under review.

"Alberta Student Aid is working to have the issues corrected and funding disbursed to eligible students as soon as possible," wrote the ministry's press secretaryTaylor Hides.