Oct
26
 
2023

StudentAid BC YouTube Videos

Updated January 18, 2024

Watch our YouTube video series to learn about the student financial assistance journey from start to finish.

Whether you’re just planning for college or university or have already started your post-secondary studies, these short videos will help you understand how student financial aid works.

Student Information Management System (SIMS) Institution Account

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The SIMS Institution Account is now available for all post-secondary institutions who have students applying for full-time and part-time financial assistance.

Learning for Future Grant

The Learning for Future Grant is available to full-time or part-time students who meet the eligibility criteria for the Provincial Tuition Waiver Program and are enrolled in a program or course below the graduate level that leads, or will lead, to a credential (citation, certificate, diploma or degree).

What is available?

The Learning for Future Grant provides an annual grant of $3,500 per program year (August 1 to July 31) to assist with additional education related costs not covered by the Provincial Tuition Waiver Program (e.g. textbooks, computers, supplies, etc.).

Am I eligible?

To be eligible for the Learning for Future Grant students must:

  • Meet all eligibility criteria for the Provincial Tuition Waiver Program and;
  • Be enrolled in a course or program of study, below the graduate level, that leads, or will lead, to a credential (citation, certificate, diploma or degree), where each study period is a minimum of 6 weeks or 35 tuition hours in duration. This includes:
    • Unclassified/qualifying studies
    • Continuing Education courses and programs that:
      • Lead, or will lead, to a credential (citation, certificate, diploma or degree)
      • Support entry to the labour market or transition to a credentialed program at an eligible post-secondary institution.

Single/standalone courses that do not lead to a credential are not eligible (regardless of whether they will support a student’s entry to the labour market).

For courses or programs spanning two program years, a student is eligible to receive two Learning for Future Grants (one per program year) if the course or program duration is a minimum of six weeks, or 35 tuition hours, in each of the two program years.


Youth Educational Assistance Fund (YEAF) Transition Plan

Students who applied for YEAF by July 31, 2023, and were approved, are eligible to receive the YEAF grant amount through the YEAF Transition Plan for the duration of their initial program of study, the 4-year maximum or until they turn 25, whichever comes first. This includes students who were previously approved for YEAF in a program or post-secondary institution that is not eligible for the Learning for Future Grant. Students who are eligible for both the YEAF Transition Plan and the Learning for Future Grant may not receive both YEAF and the Learning for Future Grant in the same program year.

To apply for the YEAF Transition Plan, please complete the YEAF Transition Plan Application Form and the YEAF Transition Plan Confirmation of Enrolment Form.

How do I apply?

Students who have previously verified their eligibility for the Provincial Tuition Waiver Program or the Learning for Future Grant must submit a Learning for Future Grant Declaration Form annually through the Financial Aid Office at their post-secondary institution.

Instructions:
  1. 1 Download the Learning for Future Grant Declaration form.
  2. 2 Submit your signed Declaration form to your institution’s Financial Aid Office so they can validate your eligibility.
  3. 3 If you are eligible, you will receive the $3,500 Learning for Future Grant for the program year (August 1 – July 31).

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.

Instructions:
  1. 1 Download the Provincial Tuition Waiver Program and Learning for Future Grant Application form and complete Sections 1 and 3.
  2. 2 Submit your signed application form to your institution’s Financial Aid Office so Section 2 can be completed.
  3. 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. 4 If you are eligible, you will receive the $3,500 Learning for Future Grant for the program year (August 1 - July 31).

For further information, please review the Provincial Tuition Waiver Program - Frequently Asked Questions and the Learning for Future Grant - Frequently Asked Questions or contact the program at tuitionwaiver@gov.bc.ca.

Am I eligible for in-study payment free status?

To be eligible for in-study payment-free status you must be:

  • studying full-time, and
  • be enrolled in a program at a school that is designated by StudentAid BC

You may not be eligible if you:

  • have outstanding interest owing on your student loan
  • have restrictions that make you ineligible, or
  • withdraw or have an unsuccessful term

If you are studying part-time you are not eligible for in-study payment-free status for your full-time loans.

Apr
13
 
2023

Increasing supports for students and borrowers

Published April 13, 2023

The B.C. government has announced important measures to help make school more affordable and to support individuals who need help repaying their student loans.

Doubling the Provincial Weekly Loan Maximums

Effective, August 1st, 2023, StudentAid BC will double the provincial weekly loan maximums:

Mar
14
 
2023

Improving student financial supports for former youth in care

Published March 14, 2023

The B.C government announced improved student financial supports to help former youth in care access post-secondary education and trades training.

Starting on August 1st, 2023, StudentAid BC will improve supports for former youth in care by:

Persistent or Prolonged Disability

Persistent or Prolonged Disability is defined as “any impairment, including a physical, mental, intellectual, cognitive, learning, communication or sensory impairment - or a functional limitation - that restricts the ability of a person to perform the daily activities necessary to pursue studies at a post-secondary school level or to participate in the labour force and has lasted, or is expected to last, for a period of at least 12 months but is not expected to remain with the person for the person’s expected life.”

Information on lost, expired and replacement cheques

Information on lost, expired and replacement cheques

Loans and most grants are deposited directly into the bank account you have specified, but some grants may be sent to you by cheque. If you have a question about a cheque you have received or think you should have received, please read the following:

I did not receive, or I lost my cheque and I need a replacement.
If you didn’t receive or lost your cheque and would like a replacement, please contact StudentAid BC and we will issue you a new cheque.

I did not receive, or I lost my cheque, but I no longer need the funds.
If you didn’t receive or you lost your cheque and do not want a replacement, please contact StudentAid BC and indicate you don’t need the funds. If you don’t notify us that you no longer need the funds, it may impact your income taxes as a T4A will be issued.

I received my cheque but it has expired.
If you have received the cheque but it has expired, please contact StudentAid BC and we will issue you a replacement cheque. Cheques should be cashed as early as possible as they expire six months after being issued.

I received a cheque but I am not sure what the payment is for.
If you received a cheque and are unsure of what the payment is for, please review your Notice of Assessment (NoA) to determine what grant you have received.

I received my cheque but I no longer need the funds.
If you have received a cheque but do not intend to use the funds, please mail it back to StudentAid BC at the address below. Please include your application number and indicate you don’t need the funds so the cheque may be cancelled. If you don’t notify us that you no longer need the funds, it may impact your income taxes as a T4A will be issued.

Mailing address:

StudentAid BC
PO Box 9173 Stn Prov Govt
Victoria BC, V8W 9H7

Contact us

You can contact StudentAid BC at
1-800-561-1818 (toll-free from within Canada and the US), or
+1-778-309-4621 (from outside North America).

Please have your application number ready when contacting us.

Notes:

If the original cheque was issued at or near the study end date, the cheque may be replaced at the discretion of StudentAid BC. A lost or destroyed cheque may also be replaced after the study end date.

To avoid delays in receiving a replacement cheque, ensure your mailing address is correct. To update your information, go to your Student Dashboard > My Account > Update Profile.

Can I get in-study payment-free status if I need to leave school for medical or parental reasons?

You can keep in-study payment-free status for your student loans if you need to take a break from school and you are approved for the following reasons:

  • medical or mental health reasons, or
  • following the birth or adoption of a child

Time on medical or parental leave does not count towards your lifetime maximum weeks of student aid.

To learn more about the eligibility requirements and to access the application for medical or parental leave, please visit the Canada Student Financial Assistance Program page.