Fees are charged to cover the gap between the cost of programs and services and the funding provided by the province. The Government of Alberta's School Fees Regulation sets out the requirements and limitations related to the fees that a school board may charge. Fees for the school year are confirmed by the end of August and are posted on this page. Fees for each school year are due when assigned.
The CBE only charges fees to cover the cost of providing goods or experiences to students. For example, if a trip to the Calgary Zoo costs $20 for busing and admission, we pass along that cost directly to families. We also charge fees when the cost to deliver a service (such as transportation) exceeds the funding we receive from the province.
Our fee revenue does not go towards core instructional funding or central administration costs. By law, the CBE cannot charge fees related to instruction, such as textbooks, workbooks or printing.
If a family cannot afford fees, they may qualify for a waiver for fees.
Fees Oversight
Alberta Education & Childcare requires all publicly funded school boards, including the CBE, to establish fee policies and procedures, and to consult with parents prior to setting, increasing, or decreasing school fees. These consultations are typically scheduled in February and March as part of school planning engagements.
The CBE has an internal committee that oversees both school-based and system-based fees and waivers. The committee aims to bring a structured system-level approach to fees that is sustainable, consistent, transparent and accountable.
Administrative Regulation 7005: School Fees
How to Pay Fees
We offer a variety of convenient payment options for parents and guardians, along with support for families who may require financial assistance. Visit the Pay My Fees page for information on payment methods, fee waivers and additional support options.
School & Central Fees
Central fees are for system-wide services are the same for all schools. This includes:
- Student supplies, like pens, pencils, erasers, and other tools students need from their first day in class
- Transportation (busing) for eligible students
- Lunch supervision for students who remain at school over their lunch break
School-based fees are unique for each school or class, and are used to cover the cost of their specific activities, field trips, items or services.
You can find more information and specific fee amounts on our School & Central Fees page.
Waivers
For many families, costs such as busing, lunch supervision and field trips can really add up. We know that affordability is an issue for families, and we are committed to giving every student a high-quality education regardless of their family’s ability to pay fees. No child is ever denied access to an education in the CBE because of an inability to pay.
The CBE has a waiver process for families who can’t afford to pay the fees for student supplies, transportation, or lunch supervision. Visit our Central Fee Waiver page for more information and the documents required as proof of income or extraordinary circumstance.
Note | Waiver applications are available through your MyCBE account.
Fee Assessment
If your student is using a service with a related fee, per the terms and conditions of the program, you will be charged for those services. Please be advised that if you use the services but do not sign the registration form, you will be deemed to have accepted this registration by your conduct and will be charged the full amount of the applicable fee. Unpaid fees may be referred to collections by the CBE without further notice.
Fee Refunds
Cancellation of transportation or lunch supervision services require notice prior to the provision of a refund. Cancellations are accepted up to April 30 each year.
Refunds are not provided for days when service is missed due to illness or vacation.
Tax Receipts
You can download tax receipts online through your MyCBE account for lunch supervision fees (child care). If you are unable to retrieve the receipts, please contact student fees studentfees@cbe.ab.ca and make a request. Please include your student’s name, school, ID number and requesting school year.
Note
- Information on income tax receipts cannot be changed
- If the amount claimed needs to be split with another party, arrangements must be made between the parties involved
- Records are available for the past seven years only. Requests for records older than seven years cannot be fulfilled
Unpaid Fees
We will contact families with outstanding balances to provide opportunities to pay fees owed for programs or services used, or goods received. CBE policies require us to make reasonable efforts to collect outstanding fees.
If collection efforts are unsuccessful, the account may be referred to a collection agency as a last resort. Accounts are only sent to collections when no financial hardship has been declared for the services used and after all reasonable attempts have been made to resolve the outstanding balance. No account is referred to collections until at least two invoices have been issued and a minimum of 180 days have passed.
Once an account has been referred to a collection agency, they will contact you directly by phone or mail with instructions on how to make payment. Any questions regarding the account should be directed to the collection agency.
If you did not receive any communications regarding your outstanding fees, the contact information on file may be incorrect. Please ensure your address and contact information are up to date with your school so that you receive future notices.
If you have already paid the balance in full, please email studentfees@cbe.ab.ca with payment details and a brief explanation. Your payment status will be reviewed.
If you have applied for or received a fee waiver and believe your account has been referred to collections in error, please email studentfees@cbe.ab.ca with your information so the matter can be investigated.
Contact
Last modified: 2026-08-19 19:14:49.706286 +0000 UTC