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.