Provincial Tuition Waiver Program
The Provincial Tuition Waiver Program waives domestic tuition and eligible fees for B.C students who are current and former children or youth in care studying full-time or part-time, below the graduate level, at a B.C. public post-secondary institution, the Native Education College, or an approved union-based trades training provider.
On August 1st, 2023, StudentAid BC implemented improvements to the supports for former children and youth in care by:
- Opening the Provincial Tuition Waiver Program (PTWP) to current and former children or youth in care of any age.
- Enhancing eligibility for those on any care status when they turn(ed) 19 regardless of their time in care.
- Introducing the new annual $3,500 Learning for Future Grant to help students who meet the eligibility requirements for PTWP pay for additional education related costs not covered by PTWP like textbooks and a computer.
What is available?
If you meet the eligibility requirements below, your tuition and eligible fees charged at the domestic student rate by your institution could be waived so you do not have to pay them.
Provincial Tuition Waiver Program eligible fees
| Category | Examples | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Mandatory fee |
|
Costs associated with admissions and enrollment in programs that must be paid by all students at the institution to complete or enroll in a program or course |
| Assessment fee |
|
Costs associated with assessments that are delivered by the institution to support a student in enrolling or progressing in a program or course |
| Administrative fee |
|
Costs required by the institution to support a student in enrolling in a program or course *Verification of enrollment fees will be covered only when required to access or progress in a program or course |
| Additional fees |
|
Fees that are required by the institution in order for a student to progress or enroll in a program or course. In this category the fee must be charged to all students and billed directly to the student from the institution along with tuition. **Medical insurance and U-Pass fees charged directly to the student by the institution will be covered by PTWP under this category when a student is unable to opt out. Costs that are required for a program but are not billed directly by the institution to the student (e.g. book costs, computer costs) as well as extraordinary costs associated with optional study abroad programs (e.g. accommodations, meals, airfare) are excluded from this category. |
All fees listed above must be submitted by the post-secondary institution to StudentAid BC through the formal Provincial Tuition Waiver Program institution financial reporting process.
Am I eligible?
To be eligible for the Provincial Tuition Waiver Program, students must be studying full-time or part-time, below the graduate level, at a B.C. public post-secondary institution, the Native Education College or an approved union-based trades training provider (see below for a full list of eligible institutions, including more information on eligible courses and programs) and:
- Adopted through the B.C. Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD) or Indigenous Child and Family Service Agency (ICFSA); or
- Formerly in the B.C. Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction Child in Home of Relative Program; or
- Currently 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]) at the time you turn(ed) 19 or for at least 24 months (730 days) (consecutive or accumulated in any combination).
Eligible programs and courses:
The Provincial Tuition Waiver Program covers a wide range of post-secondary courses and programs of study, below the graduate level, including:
- Courses leading to a citation, certificate, diploma, or degree
- Apprenticeship and trades training
- Continuing education courses and programs, including personal and professional development (credit or non-credit)
- Unclassified/qualifying studies
Programs and courses that are not eligible:
Masters, PhD or post-graduate courses or programs, as well as Adult Basic Education and Adult Special Education, are not eligible.
Eligible Post-Secondary Institutions
| B.C. public post-secondary institutions: | |
|---|---|
| British Columbia Institute of Technology | Northern Lights College |
| Camosun College | Okanagan College |
| Capilano University | Royal Roads University |
| Coast Mountain College | Selkirk College |
| College of New Caledonia | Simon Fraser University |
| College of the Rockies | Thompson Rivers University |
| Douglas College | University of British Columbia |
| Emily Carr University of Art and Design | University of Northern British Columbia |
| Justice Institute of British Columbia | University of the Fraser Valley |
| Kwantlen Polytechnic University | University of Victoria |
| Langara College | Vancouver Community College |
| Nicola Valley Institute of Technology | Vancouver Island University |
| North Island College | Native Education College |
| Approved union-based trades training providers: | |
| Construction and Specialized Workers Training Society | Pile Drivers, Divers, Bridge, Dock & Warf Builders Local 2404 |
| Finishing Trades Institute of BC (D.C. 38 Joint Trade Society) | UA Piping Industry College of British Columbia |
| Electrical Joint Training Committee | Sheet Metal Industry Training Centre |
| Floorlayers Union Local 1541 | Trowel Trades Training Association |
| IUOE Local 115 Training Association | |
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 tuitionwaiver@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 current and former children or youth in care.
Categories eligible for review
Time in Care/Legal Status/Comparable Agreement Under Indigenous Law A student can request a review of their individual circumstances in this category when they believe their time in care calculation is incorrect, their experience in government care is not represented in the legal statuses listed in the program eligibility criteria, or they were in a comparable agreement under Indigenous Law. 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.
Learning for Future Grant
The Learning for Future Grant provides an annual grant of $3,500 per program year to students who meet the eligibility criteria for the Provincial Tuition Waiver Program to assist with additional education related costs not covered by the Provincial Tuition Waiver Program (e.g. textbooks, computers, supplies, etc.). For more information, please see the Learning for Future Grant webpage.How do I apply?
First time applicants must submit a Provincial Tuition Waiver Program and Learning for Future Grant Application form to StudentAid BC through the Financial Aid Office at their post-secondary institution.
Once approved for the Provincial Tuition Waiver Program students may continue to access the program for all future eligible studies with no requirement for re-application.
Applications for the Learning for Future Grant must be renewed annually by signing the Learning for Future Grant Declaration form and submitting it to your post-secondary institution. For more information, please see the Learning for Future Grant webpage.
Instructions
- 1 Download the Provincial Tuition Waiver Program and Learning for Future Grant Application form and complete Sections 1 and 3.
- 2 Submit your signed application form to your institution’s Financial Aid Office so section 2 can be completed.
- 3 Your institution will submit your application form to StudentAid BC who will verify your time-in-care with the Ministry of Children and Family Development and/or the Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction. The verification process can take up to 6 weeks depending on the complexity of your records search.
- 4 If you are eligible, your institution will not collect any tuition fees or registration deposits from you. If you have already paid your fees, your tuition fees will be reimbursed by the institution.
- 5 If you have also applied for the Learning for Future Grant, and are eligible, you will receive a $3,500 grant for the program year (August 1 - July 31).
For further information, please review the Provincial Tuition Waiver Program - Frequently Asked Questions or contact the program at tuitionwaiver@gov.bc.ca.