There are weekly and lifetime maximum funding limits that you should be aware of. Not all students receive the maximum amount.
2023/2024 weekly maximums
- If you have dependant children, you can receive up to $740 per week in combined loan and grant funding.
- If you do not have dependant children, you can receive up to $520 per week of full-time study.
The total amount you receive is determined by the length of your study period.
The following table shows the maximum amount and number of weeks of StudentAid BC funding you can receive over your lifetime. Weeks on in-study payment-free status also count towards your maximum number of weeks.
| Funding type | $ limit | Time limit |
|---|---|---|
| Canada student loan (non-doctoral) | 340 weeks (80 months) | |
| Canada student loan (doctoral) | 400 weeks (94 months) | |
| Canada student loan (persons with a permanent disability, or a persistent or prolonged disability; or received loans prior to August 1, 1995) | 520 weeks (120 months) | |
| B.C. student loan (non-doctoral) | $50,000 | 340 weeks (80 months) |
| B.C. student loan (doctoral) | $50,000 | 400 weeks (94 months) |
| B.C. student loan (persons with a permanent disability, or a persistent or prolonged disability) | $50,000 | 520 weeks (120 months) |
| Canada and B.C. integrated student loan (non-doctoral) | 340 weeks (80 months) | |
| Canada and B.C. integrated student loan (doctoral) | 400 weeks (94 months) | |
| Canada and B.C. integrated student loan (persons with a permanent disability, or a persistent or prolonged disability, or received loans prior to August 1, 1995) | 520 weeks (120 months) |
Exceptions
You can request funding beyond the maximum lifetime limit for BC student loans if you are near the end of your program and require the funding to finish your studies, or if there were exceptional circumstances that led to your higher borrowing amount. Contact StudentAid BC or your financial aid office for more information on how to appeal, or see Appeal Request for B.C. Student Loan Lifetime Maximum. There is no appeal for more Canada Student Loan funding past the maximum number of weeks.
If you reach the maximum number of weeks of StudentAid BC funding and are still in full-time study, you continue to be eligible for in-study payment-free status and the six-month non-repayment period following your studies. Your school will need to confirm your enrolment with the National Student Loans Service Centre (NSLSC) to have your student loan repayment deferred until after you have completed your studies and the 6-month non-repayment period ends.
For more information see in-study payment-free status and maximum weeks.