full-time

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.

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.

B.C. Access Grant (Full-Time)

This program provides upfront, non-repayable financial assistance to low- and middle-income students enrolled in full-time studies at B.C. public post-secondary institutions.

You must be enrolled as a full-time student in an undergraduate degree, diploma, or certificate program. If you are in a Master’s or PhD program, or enrolled in unclassified studies, you are not eligible.

What is available?

  • Based on your previous year’s annual income and family size, you could receive:
    • up to $4,000 per eight-month school year (up to $117.65 per week of study) for students enrolled in undergraduate programs that are less than two years in length.
    • up to $1,000 per eight-month school year (up to $29.41 per week of study) for students enrolled in undergraduate programs that are two or more years in length.
  • Students in a longer study period (up to 52 weeks of grant eligibility) may be eligible for more; students in a shorter study period may receive less.
  • You can receive this grant for each year of your undergraduate studies as long as you still qualify.

As family income increases, the grant amount decreases:

Income thresholds for B.C Access Grant eligibility for full-time studies

Income Thresholds for B.C. Access Grant for students enrolled in full-time programs of less than two years in length.

Family size
(number of people)		 For maximum grant
(if gross family income is below the amount for family size, the student qualifies for the maximum grant)		 For grant cut-off
(if gross family income is at or above these amounts for family size, the student does not qualify for the grant)
1 $38,474 $80,491
2 $54,412 $112,552
3 $66,641 $134,209
4 $76,952 $147,375
5 $86,033 $159,562
6 $94,245 $171,168
7+ $101,797 $181,162

Income Thresholds for B.C. Access Grant for students enrolled in full-time programs of two or more years in length.

Family size
(number of people)		 For maximum grant
(if gross family income is below the amount for family size, the student qualifies for the maximum grant)		 For grant cut-off
(if gross family income is at or above these amounts for family size, the student does not qualify for the grant)
1 $38,474 $48,978
2 $54,412 $68,947
3 $66,641 $83,533
4 $76,952 $94,558
5 $86,033 $104,415
6 $94,245 $113,476
7+ $101,797 $121,638

Am I eligible?

You may be eligible if you:

  • apply and qualify for full-time StudentAid BC financial assistance
  • have at least $1 of financial need assessed by the province
  • attend a B.C. public post-secondary institution

How do I apply?

There is no need to apply. You will be automatically assessed for this grant when you apply for a student loan.

How will I receive funding?

If you have been approved for the B.C. Access Grant, you will receive your funding by Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) via the National Student Loans Service Centre.

If your study period is 17 weeks or less, you will receive 100% of your funding at the start of your study period.

If your study period is longer than 17 weeks, you will receive half of your funding at the start and the other half at the midpoint of your study period.

B.C. Access Grant (Full-Time)

This program provides upfront, non-repayable financial assistance to low- and middle-income students enrolled in full-time studies at B.C. public post-secondary institutions.

You must be enrolled as a full-time student in an undergraduate degree, diploma, or certificate program. If you are in a Master’s or PhD program, or enrolled in unclassified studies, you are not eligible.

What is available?

  • Based on your previous year’s annual income and family size, you could receive:
    • up to $4,000 per eight-month school year (up to $117.65 per week of study) for students enrolled in undergraduate programs that are less than two years in length.
    • up to $1,000 per eight-month school year (up to $29.41 per week of study) for students enrolled in undergraduate programs that are two or more years in length.
  • Students in a longer study period (up to 52 weeks of grant eligibility) may be eligible for more; students in a shorter study period may receive less.
  • You can receive this grant for each year of your undergraduate studies as long as you still qualify.

As family income increases, the grant amount decreases:

Income thresholds for B.C Access Grant eligibility for full-time studies

Income Thresholds for B.C. Access Grant for students enrolled in full-time programs of less than two years in length.

Family size
(number of people)		 For maximum grant
(if gross family income is below the amount for family size, the student qualifies for the maximum grant)		 For grant cut-off
(if gross family income is at or above these amounts for family size, the student does not qualify for the grant)
1 $38,474 $80,491
2 $54,412 $112,552
3 $66,641 $134,209
4 $76,952 $147,375
5 $86,033 $159,562
6 $94,245 $171,168
7+ $101,797 $181,162

Income Thresholds for B.C. Access Grant for students enrolled in full-time programs of two or more years in length.

Family size
(number of people)		 For maximum grant
(if gross family income is below the amount for family size, the student qualifies for the maximum grant)		 For grant cut-off
(if gross family income is at or above these amounts for family size, the student does not qualify for the grant)
1 $38,474 $48,978
2 $54,412 $68,947
3 $66,641 $83,533
4 $76,952 $94,558
5 $86,033 $104,415
6 $94,245 $113,476
7+ $101,797 $121,638

Am I eligible?

You may be eligible if you:

  • apply and qualify for full-time StudentAid BC financial assistance
  • have at least $1 of financial need assessed by the province
  • attend a B.C. public post-secondary institution

How do I apply?

There is no need to apply. You will be automatically assessed for this grant when you apply for a student loan.

How will I receive funding?

If you have been approved for the B.C. Access Grant, you will receive your funding by Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) via the National Student Loans Service Centre.

If your study period is 17 weeks or less, you will receive 100% of your funding at the start of your study period.

If your study period is longer than 17 weeks, you will receive half of your funding at the start and the other half at the midpoint of your study period.

B.C. Access Grant (Full-Time)

This program provides upfront, non-repayable financial assistance to low- and middle-income students enrolled in full-time studies at B.C. public post-secondary institutions.

You must be enrolled as a full-time student in an undergraduate degree, diploma, or certificate program. If you are in a Master’s or PhD program, or enrolled in unclassified studies, you are not eligible.

What is available?

  • Based on your previous year’s annual income and family size, you could receive:
    • up to $4,000 per eight-month school year (up to $117.65 per week of study) for students enrolled in undergraduate programs that are less than two years in length.
    • up to $1,000 per eight-month school year (up to $29.41 per week of study) for students enrolled in undergraduate programs that are two or more years in length.
  • Students in a longer study period (up to 52 weeks of grant eligibility) may be eligible for more; students in a shorter study period may receive less.
  • You can receive this grant for each year of your undergraduate studies as long as you still qualify.

As family income increases, the grant amount decreases:

Income thresholds for B.C Access Grant eligibility for full-time studies

Income Thresholds for B.C. Access Grant for students enrolled in full-time programs of less than two years in length.

Family size
(number of people)		 For maximum grant
(if gross family income is below the amount for family size, the student qualifies for the maximum grant)		 For grant cut-off
(if gross family income is at or above these amounts for family size, the student does not qualify for the grant)
1 $38,474 $80,491
2 $54,412 $112,552
3 $66,641 $134,209
4 $76,952 $147,375
5 $86,033 $159,562
6 $94,245 $171,168
7+ $101,797 $181,162

Income Thresholds for B.C. Access Grant for students enrolled in full-time programs of two or more years in length.

Family size
(number of people)		 For maximum grant
(if gross family income is below the amount for family size, the student qualifies for the maximum grant)		 For grant cut-off
(if gross family income is at or above these amounts for family size, the student does not qualify for the grant)
1 $38,474 $48,978
2 $54,412 $68,947
3 $66,641 $83,533
4 $76,952 $94,558
5 $86,033 $104,415
6 $94,245 $113,476
7+ $101,797 $121,638

Am I eligible?

You may be eligible if you:

  • apply and qualify for full-time StudentAid BC financial assistance
  • have at least $1 of financial need assessed by the province
  • attend a B.C. public post-secondary institution

How do I apply?

There is no need to apply. You will be automatically assessed for this grant when you apply for a student loan.

How will I receive funding?

If you have been approved for the B.C. Access Grant, you will receive your funding by Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) via the National Student Loans Service Centre.

If your study period is 17 weeks or less, you will receive 100% of your funding at the start of your study period.

If your study period is longer than 17 weeks, you will receive half of your funding at the start and the other half at the midpoint of your study period.

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 school, the Native Education College, or an approved union-based trades training provider.

What is available?

If you meet the eligibility requirements below, your tuition and eligible fees charged by your school could be waived so you do not have to pay them.

Note: In some cases, your school may not be able to waive an eligible fee and may require you to pay it up front. Furthermore, not all schools will be able to reimburse eligible fees paid upfront by individuals who are not current students at the school (e.g. application and transcript fees). Please contact your school to confirm their process for waiving and reimbursing eligible fees for both current and prospective students.

Provincial Tuition Waiver Program eligible fees

Category Examples Notes
Mandatory fee
  • Registration fee
  • Archiving fee
  • Student License Fee
  • Student Association or Alma Mater Society fee
  • Graduation Application 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
  • Entry Assessment
  • Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition
  • English Language Assessment
 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
  • Application fee
  • Transcript Request fee
  • Criminal Record Check
  • Verification of Enrollment fees*
 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
  • Program Supply Fee
  • Medical Insurance Fee**
  • U-Pass fee**
 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 school to StudentAid BC through the formal Provincial Tuition Waiver Program institution financial reporting process. If the fee was paid upfront by the student, it may be eligible for reimbursement. Please contact your institution to confirm their process for waiving and reimbursing eligible fees.

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 school, the Native Education College or an approved union-based trades training provider (see below for a full list of eligible schools, 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, post-graduate, and aviation courses or programs (i.e. pilot training), as well as Adult Basic Education and Accessible Education and Training, are not eligible.


Eligible Post-Secondary Schools

B.C. public post-secondary schools:
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

Transferring to a different post-secondary school

If you are an approved tuition waiver student and wish to transfer to another eligible post-secondary school, you do not need to reapply.

To have your provincial tuition waiver transferred to a different eligible post-secondary school contact StudentAid BC by email at tuitionwaiver@gov.bc.ca advising of your intent to transfer to a new school.

In addition, contact the financial aid office at your new post-secondary school and let them know you have an approved provincial tuition waiver in place. The receiving school will work with you to provide the necessary information (such as program, start date, and receiving schools information) to StudentAid BC to complete the transfer.

For applicants with exceptional circumstances

StudentAid BC has discretion on a case-by-case basis to approve exceptions to standard Provincial Tuition Waiver Program eligibility criteria related to time in care, legal status, or in a comparable agreement under Indigenous Law through a review of exceptional circumstances.

An individual can request a review of their circumstances 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.

To be considered for a review of exceptional circumstances, an individual must either submit their Provincial Tuition Waiver application through an eligible school, or submit an application for an eligibility check to tuitionwaiver@gov.bc.ca. Once the application outcome is received, a request for a review of exceptional circumstances may be submitted to tuitionwaiver@gov.bc.ca.

 

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 school.

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 school. For more information, please see the Learning for Future Grant webpage.

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 school's Financial Aid Office so Section 2 can be completed.
  3. 3 Your school 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, your school will invoice any tuition or eligible fees to the Provincial Tuition Waiver Program. If you have already paid your tuition or fees, or if your post-secondary institution requires them to be paid upfront, you will work with your school to confirm their process for waiving and reimbursing eligible fees.
  5. 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.

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Provincial Tuition Waiver Program and Learning for Future Grant Application

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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 school, the Native Education College, or an approved union-based trades training provider.

What is available?

If you meet the eligibility requirements below, your tuition and eligible fees charged by your school could be waived so you do not have to pay them.

Note: In some cases, your school may not be able to waive an eligible fee and may require you to pay it up front. Furthermore, not all schools will be able to reimburse eligible fees paid upfront by individuals who are not current students at the school (e.g. application and transcript fees). Please contact your school to confirm their process for waiving and reimbursing eligible fees for both current and prospective students.

Provincial Tuition Waiver Program eligible fees

Category Examples Notes
Mandatory fee
  • Registration fee
  • Archiving fee
  • Student License Fee
  • Student Association or Alma Mater Society fee
  • Graduation Application 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
  • Entry Assessment
  • Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition
  • English Language Assessment
 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
  • Application fee
  • Transcript Request fee
  • Criminal Record Check
  • Verification of Enrollment fees*
 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
  • Program Supply Fee
  • Medical Insurance Fee**
  • U-Pass fee**
 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 school to StudentAid BC through the formal Provincial Tuition Waiver Program institution financial reporting process. If the fee was paid upfront by the student, it may be eligible for reimbursement. Please contact your institution to confirm their process for waiving and reimbursing eligible fees.

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 school, the Native Education College or an approved union-based trades training provider (see below for a full list of eligible schools, 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, post-graduate, and aviation courses or programs (i.e. pilot training), as well as Adult Basic Education and Accessible Education and Training, are not eligible.


Eligible Post-Secondary Schools

B.C. public post-secondary schools:
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

Transferring to a different post-secondary school

If you are an approved tuition waiver student and wish to transfer to another eligible post-secondary school, you do not need to reapply.

To have your provincial tuition waiver transferred to a different eligible post-secondary school contact StudentAid BC by email at tuitionwaiver@gov.bc.ca advising of your intent to transfer to a new school.

In addition, contact the financial aid office at your new post-secondary school and let them know you have an approved provincial tuition waiver in place. The receiving school will work with you to provide the necessary information (such as program, start date, and receiving schools information) to StudentAid BC to complete the transfer.

For applicants with exceptional circumstances

StudentAid BC has discretion on a case-by-case basis to approve exceptions to standard Provincial Tuition Waiver Program eligibility criteria related to time in care, legal status, or in a comparable agreement under Indigenous Law through a review of exceptional circumstances.

An individual can request a review of their circumstances 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.

To be considered for a review of exceptional circumstances, an individual must either submit their Provincial Tuition Waiver application through an eligible school, or submit an application for an eligibility check to tuitionwaiver@gov.bc.ca. Once the application outcome is received, a request for a review of exceptional circumstances may be submitted to tuitionwaiver@gov.bc.ca.

 

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 school.

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 school. For more information, please see the Learning for Future Grant webpage.

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 school's Financial Aid Office so Section 2 can be completed.
  3. 3 Your school 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, your school will invoice any tuition or eligible fees to the Provincial Tuition Waiver Program. If you have already paid your tuition or fees, or if your post-secondary institution requires them to be paid upfront, you will work with your school to confirm their process for waiving and reimbursing eligible fees.
  5. 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.

Download Form

Provincial Tuition Waiver Program and Learning for Future Grant Application

PDF - 112 KB

Youth Futures Education Fund

The Youth Futures Education Fund has been established to provide a grant to recipients of the Former Youth in Care Provincial Tuition Waiver, to assist with supplemental educational funding for expenses such as books, housing, utilities, or emergency situations.

What is available?

The amount of funding will be determined by the information you provide on your Youth Futures Education Fund application and the outcome of the assessment by your institutional official.

Am I eligible?

To be considered for the Youth Futures Education Fund, you must meet ALL of the following criteria:

  • Be a student attending a public post-secondary institution on a Youth in Care Provincial tuition waiver;
  • Be enrolled full-time or part-time in a program;
  • Demonstrate financial need;
  • Be in good standing, attending class on a regular basis and progressing satisfactorily. Exceptional circumstances that prevent students from being in good standing or attending will be considered on a case by case basis.

How do I apply?

  • Contact the Financial Aid & Awards office at your B.C. public post-secondary institution’s campus and ask for an application form.
  • Complete application form and submit to the Financial Aid and Awards office at your campus.
  • Provide any relevant documentation that supports your request for assistance (e.g. copy of book receipts, rent receipts, utility bills, etc.).

Please visit the Youth Futures Education Fund website for more information.

Youth Futures Education Fund

The Youth Futures Education Fund has been established to provide a grant to recipients of the Former Youth in Care Provincial Tuition Waiver, to assist with supplemental educational funding for expenses such as books, housing, utilities, or emergency situations.

What is available?

The amount of funding will be determined by the information you provide on your Youth Futures Education Fund application and the outcome of the assessment by your institutional official.

Am I eligible?

To be considered for the Youth Futures Education Fund, you must meet ALL of the following criteria:

  • Be a student attending a public post-secondary institution on a Youth in Care Provincial tuition waiver;
  • Be enrolled full-time or part-time in a program;
  • Demonstrate financial need;
  • Be in good standing, attending class on a regular basis and progressing satisfactorily. Exceptional circumstances that prevent students from being in good standing or attending will be considered on a case by case basis.

How do I apply?

  • Contact the Financial Aid & Awards office at your B.C. public post-secondary institution’s campus and ask for an application form.
  • Complete application form and submit to the Financial Aid and Awards office at your campus.
  • Provide any relevant documentation that supports your request for assistance (e.g. copy of book receipts, rent receipts, utility bills, etc.).

Please visit the Youth Futures Education Fund website for more information.

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