The provincial accreditation and designation process ensures that standards of integrity and educational competence are met by private institutions offering post-secondary education in B.C.
The StudentAid BC designation process is voluntary for private institutions in B.C.
Students may apply for StudentAid BC funding once an institution has met the following and has been approved for StudentAid BC designation:
Private institutions in B.C. have met one of the following:
- Designated by the Private Training Institutions Branch, Ministry of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills;
- Accredited by the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia;
- Consent granted by the Minister of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills under the Degree Authorization Act;
- Established by an act legislating authority of an institution.
Institutions outside of British Columbia (within Canada) must be recognized by their provincial authority.
Institutions in the United States must be listed on Title IV - Free Application of Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for institutions in the United States.
Institutions outside of North America must be listed in one of the following:
- International association of Universities
- World of Learning
- Association of Common Wealth Universities
- Title IV - Free Application of Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for institutions in the United States
International medical institutions must be listed in FAIMER (the Foundation for Advancement of International Medical Education and Research) AND one of the following:
- International Association of Universities;
- World of Learning;
- Association of Commonwealth Universities;
- Title IV - Free Application of Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for institutions in the United States.
