ApplyAlberta goes live

EDMONTON , Feb. 2 /CNW/ - Interested in attending one of Alberta's publicly-funded colleges, universities and technical institutes? You now have a new way to apply online.

ApplyAlberta is a secure online application system that makes it easier for students to apply to one or more post-secondary institutions and authorize the transfer of their Alberta high school and post-secondary transcripts. Students also no longer have to pay for transcripts transferred through ApplyAlberta.

"This is an excellent example of Alberta institutions working together to improve the accessibility of education for Alberta students," said Doug Horner , Deputy Premier and Minister of Advanced Education and Technology. "ApplyAlberta is the gateway for students to the institutions within Campus Alberta."

"ApplyAlberta responds to the needs of today's tech-savvy high school students," said Minister of Education Dave Hancock . "We have simplified the process so that students can reach out to multiple post-secondary institutions through the click of a mouse."

Institutions currently online are already receiving applications and transcripts as over 21,000 students have applied for post-secondary studies at these institutions using ApplyAlberta.

"After extensive system development and comprehensive testing by students, institutions and government, it is great to see ApplyAlberta take shape," added Sharon Carry , Board Chair of ApplyAlberta and President/CEO of Bow Valley College. "We're pleased to hear from students and institutions how well it is managing the volume and providing students with a quality experience."

The product of a unique collaboration involving the province's publicly funded post-secondary institutions and the Alberta government, ApplyAlberta is a made-in-Alberta application system which maintains the flow of student information in a safe and secure environment.

For more information visit www.applyalberta.ca

BACKGROUNDER

Each year Alberta's 21 post-secondary institutions receive over 100,000 applications. These applications will now be processed through ApplyAlberta, the province's new post-secondary application and transcript transfer system.

    
    ApplyAlberta - a collaborative initiative

    -   The Alberta Post-Secondary System (APAS) Society was created to
        oversee the creation, development and implementation of ApplyAlberta
        by the province's public post-secondary institutions.
    -   The Government of Alberta committed $14.5 million for the development
        of ApplyAlberta. Operational, maintenance and ongoing development
        costs will be covered by the participating public post-secondary
        institutions.
    -   ApplyAlberta has been tested extensively by students, institutions
        and government to ensure it can manage the expected volume and
        provide students with a quality experience.
    -   The first institutions began using ApplyAlberta in the fall of 2009
        and by next fall all institutions will be using the new application
        system.

    ApplyAlberta streamlines the application and transcript transfer process:

    -   Students can start their applications on either an institution's
        website or at www.applyalberta.ca
    -   Students only have to enter their profile information once no matter
        where they access the system - it is filled in automatically on each
        ApplyAlberta application they submit.
    -   Students no longer need to fill out requests at Alberta Education or
        participating post-secondary institutions to initiate the transfer of
        their transcripts.
    -   During the application process, students authorize institutions to
        request transcripts on their behalf. This saves time and reduces
        administrative delays.
    -   Students no longer have to pay for transcripts transferred through
        ApplyAlberta.
    -   Students can follow the progress of their transcript transfers on the
        ApplyAlberta website.
    

There is no limit on the number of applications a student can submit through ApplyAlberta. Students do not have to pay a fee to use ApplyAlberta, but are still required to pay any application fees charged by the post-secondary institutions.

More information is available on www.applyalberta.ca

For further information: Laurie Collins, Communications, ApplyAlberta, [phone]; Rachel Bouska, Communications, Advanced Education and Technology, [phone]; Tim Chamberlin, Communications, Alberta Education, [phone]