If you meet the eligibility requirements below, your tuition and mandatory fees charged by your institution could be waived so you do not have to pay them. This includes any deposits that an institution may require to secure admission or space in a program or class.

To be eligible for the Provincial Tuition Waiver Program, students must be:

• Studying full- or part-time in an eligible undergraduate level program at a B.C. public post-secondary institution; the Native Education College or one of 10 approved trades training providers (see below for more information on eligible programs and a full list of eligible institutions);
• Between the ages of 19-26 (inclusive) at the time of tuition waiver application or;
• 17 or 18 years of age and not receiving educational supports through the B.C. Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD) or an Indigenous Child and Family Service Agency (ICFSA); and,
• Adopted through B.C. MCFD or an ICFSA; or
• Formerly in the B.C. Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction Child in Home of Relative Program; or
• Formerly in any B.C. MCFD or ICFSA Legal Status (either while living in B.C. or while placed by MCFD or an ICFSA on an Interprovincial Placement Agreement [IPPA]) for at least 24 months or (730 days) (consecutive or accumulated in any combination).

Eligible Programs of Study:

The Provincial Tuition Waiver Program covers a wide range of undergraduate study options:

• Courses leading to a certificate, diploma, credential or undergraduate degree
• Courses taken during unclassified qualifying years, non-credit-based trades programs and continuing education programs eligible for student financial assistance
• Apprenticeship training
• Any non-credit courses associated with lifelong learning or competencies related to the labour market

Masters, PhD or post-graduate courses or programs, or any Adult Basic Education programs and/or fees, are not eligible.

For applicants with exceptional circumstances

The Provincial Tuition Waiver Program may on a case-by-case basis approve exceptions to program eligibility through a review of exceptional circumstances. To request a review, contact the Ministry System Navigator at BCPTWPSystemNavigator@gov.bc.ca.

The System Navigator at the Ministry of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills consults with partner agencies, post-secondary institutions, students, and stakeholders around tuition waivers for former youth in care.

Categories Eligible for Review

Time in Care/Legal Status
A student can request a review of their individual circumstances in this category when they believe their time in care is incorrect, or their experience in government care is not represented in the legal statuses listed in the program eligibility criteria. The Ministry of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills may require specific supporting documentation on a case-by-case basis. All other program eligibility criteria must be met.

Location of Study
A student can request a review of their individual circumstances in this category if they were placed in another Canadian province or territory as part of an MCFD or ICFSA permanency plan or interprovincial agreement and they wish to study in the province or territory they were placed in. The Ministry of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills may require specific supporting documentation on a case-by-case basis. All other program eligibility criteria must be met.

Age
A student can request a review in this category for exceptional circumstances that led to a delay in attending post secondary. An exceptional circumstance in this category must be unexpected and beyond the control of the applicant. The Provincial Tuition Waiver Program - Age Exception Attestation Form must be completed by a qualified assessor. All other program eligibility criteria must be met.