Answers to Frequently Asked Questions

When can I apply?

Applications for September (Fall Semester) or January (Winter Semester) are accepted as early as October 1 of each year. Applications for Fall semester are typically accepted until July 30 and applications for Winter semester are typically accepted until November 30. Certain programs may have earlier application deadlines.

Your application to a program will be considered if you meet the admission requirements described in the Admissions section of this Calendar. Normally, students should be 18 years of age on or before December 31 of their first year at Northwestern Polytechnic.

How do I apply?

Apply online at NWP.me/Apply

What other information do I need to provide with my application?

Alberta high school and post-secondary students, who apply through their Apply Alberta account, will have their transcripts requested on their behalf by the Northwestern Polytechnic Admissions Team. If you are currently in classes, complete the information requested in the Education section with your interim or expected grades. Include all completed and in progress classes, as well as those you are planning to take.

If you are currently attending or have previously attended another post-secondary institution, please ensure that you include this information in your application. We will expect to receive official copies of your academic transcripts from those institutions.

If you attended high school or a post-secondary school outside of Alberta, you will need to make arrangements for an official transcript to be sent directly to Northwestern Polytechnic once final grades are released at the end of the school year.

Do I need an Alberta Student Number and how do I get one?

The Alberta Student Number (ASN) is a unique identifier for all Alberta learners which provides students with access to improved programs and services in the Alberta Education System. You are required to provide this information with your application form. If you have attended school in Alberta or previously created an ASN number, you can look up your ASN at https://learnerregistry.ae.alberta.ca/.

If you are new to Alberta you may request an ASN when applying at http://www.applyalberta.ca/.

What does it cost to apply?

$80 for domestic students.
$150 for international students.

The application fee is non-refundable. You may pay by cheque, cash, direct debit, and money order, or by American Express, MasterCard, or Visa. Cheques and money orders must be made payable to Northwestern Polytechnic.

When will I be admitted?

You will receive an acknowledgment of your application. If you are currently in high school, and you reported your high school subjects completed or in-progress on your application, you may receive a conditional admission. If you did not report your high school subjects, we will request this information from you.

Students who apply through their Apply Alberta account and attended an Alberta high school and/or post-secondary institution will have their transcripts ordered on their behalf by the Admissions team. 

If you attended high school or post-secondary outside of Alberta, you will need to have your official transcripts forwarded as soon as possible.

What is a Conditional Admission?

If you are registered in high school subjects while you are seeking admission to Northwestern Polytechnic, you may be granted conditional admission. This conditional admission will be based upon the information you provide regarding the interim grades or final grades for subjects in which you are currently registered or have completed.

It is your responsibility to ensure that your final transcript is forwarded to the Registrar's Office. If official transcripts do not confirm that you have successfully met the requirements for admission to your chosen program or if the transcripts are not received by August 2, the conditional admission may be withdrawn or your registration may be revised.

What if I am not admitted?

When completing the application form you have the option to include a second program of choice. If you are not admitted, you will be given the reason and offered assistance in choosing another program. For example, if you are missing a high school requirement, you may be offered an opportunity to be admitted to Open Studies. Admission to Open Studies gives you an opportunity to complete admission requirements for your chosen program while starting other courses at the same time.

How do I register for courses?

You will receive information that will include the process for registration.  Simply follow the instructions in your myNWP account.

What should I be doing while I wait to start at Northwestern Polytechnic?

Be sure that you have made all the financial arrangements to cover the cost of your tuition, fees, and living expenses. If you need to apply for a loan, loan applications are available on-line. See NWP.me/FinancialAid for more information. You can apply for a student loan before you are offered admission.

Consider where you might be living during your time at Northwestern Polytechnic and apply for housing early. If you are interested in living in Northwestern Polytechnic Housing at either campus, be sure to check out Housing information in the Directory of Services or at NWP.me/Housing.

If I fail a course required for admission, can I still come to Northwestern Polytechnic?

Yes!  Many students register prior to receiving their final high school results. If you fail to pass a course required for admission to Northwestern Polytechnic, you must contact the Registrar's Office immediately. Northwestern Polytechnic offers high school equivalent courses. Normally, we would adjust your registration to help you pick up the missing high school requirement. Your admission may be modified to indicate you are an Open Studies student or an Upgrading student depending on the number of upgrading courses you require.

Will I know what to do when I get to Northwestern Polytechnic?

Students are invited to attend orientation which is a fun, informative event that helps new students ease into Northwestern Polytechnic life. This polytechnic-wide program provides an introduction to life on campus and offers short seminars on a variety of topics including money management, survival tips, deadline dates, GPA and other useful information.