Your school must be designated before you apply for student aid and before the first day of your study period. The designation process can take several months to complete.

If your school is not included in our list of designated schools, you can contact the school (e.g. financial aid office, international office, Registrar’s office) to request they apply for StudentAid BC designation. To apply for designation, please ask your institution to review the Institution Designation Overview page.

If you can't find your school in the StudentAid BC application
A school may not appear in the application search tool if they have not yet completed their designation process, or if their eligibility is currently under review by StudentAid BC. If your school is not listed in the student application, please contact your school directly to get updates on their designation status. You may also consider applying to a school that is currently designated with StudentAid BC.

Please note:

• To be eligible for StudentAid BC funding, your school must be designated in the new Student Information Management System (SIMS).
• To become designated, a school must submit a designation application through SIMS and meet all applicable designation eligibility requirements. Applications are reviewed and approved by Ministry staff.
• Only schools can apply for designation. Students and the Ministry cannot submit a designation application on behalf of a school.

Your school must be designated before you apply for student aid and before the first day of your study period. The designation process can take several months to complete.

If your school is not included in our list of designated schools, you can contact the school (e.g. financial aid office, international office, Registrar’s office) to request they apply for StudentAid BC designation. To apply for designation, please ask your institution to review the Institution Designation Overview page.

If you can't find your school in the StudentAid BC application
A school may not appear in the application search tool if they have not yet completed their designation process, or if their eligibility is currently under review by StudentAid BC. If your school is not listed in the student application, please contact your school directly to get updates on their designation status. You may also consider applying to a school that is currently designated with StudentAid BC.

Please note:

• To be eligible for StudentAid BC funding, your school must be designated in the new Student Information Management System (SIMS).
• To become designated, a school must submit a designation application through SIMS and meet all applicable designation eligibility requirements. Applications are reviewed and approved by Ministry staff.
• Only schools can apply for designation. Students and the Ministry cannot submit a designation application on behalf of a school.

1. 1 Create your StudentAid BC Account
   • Go to StudentAid BC Student Account page
   • Select Log in/Register and follow the prompts to log in using your BC Services Card account. Your BC Services Card account will automatically populate your StudentAid BC profile with your personal information.
   • Add your Social Insurance Number (SIN).
   StudentAid BC will verify your SIN, which may take up to 72 hours. Once verification is complete, you’ll be ready to apply.
2. 2 Start your application. Select whether you’re applying for full-time or part-time studies and choose the program year to open your application
3. 3 Add your information. Enter your program, personal and financial information. You can save your application and return to it later if needed.
   • If you’re a student with a disability, you may be eligible for additional provincial or federal funding. Go to How to apply for disability funding to learn more.
4. 4 Read and accept the terms and conditions of the StudentAid BC Declaration and Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) Consent for income verification.
5. 5 Submit your application. Review your information before submitting.
6. 6 Track your application status. Log in regularly for updates and check your email for any additional information you may need to provide.
7. 7 If required for your application, ask your parent(s) or partner to provide their information. Wait for an email with instructions for them to log in.
   • They will use the Supporting Users Portal to complete and submit their information. A link to the Portal will be provided in the email.
   • They will log into the Supporting Users Portal using their BC Services Card Account.
   • They must wait until you have submitted your application before logging into the Supporting Users Portal.
   • Parents or partners do not have to create a Student Account to enter their information as this will delay your application. They must follow the link in the email to the Supporting Users Portal.
   If your parent(s) or partner cannot use a BC Services Card account, another option may be available to provide their information during the application process, however, this could delay your application.

Watch our video tutorial to learn how to create your Student Account and submit your application.

1. 1 Create your StudentAid BC Account
   • Go to StudentAid BC Student Account page
   • Select Log in/Register and follow the prompts to log in using your BC Services Card account. Your BC Services Card account will automatically populate your StudentAid BC profile with your personal information.
   • Add your Social Insurance Number (SIN).
   StudentAid BC will verify your SIN, which may take up to 72 hours. Once verification is complete, you’ll be ready to apply.
2. 2 Start your application. Select whether you’re applying for full-time or part-time studies and choose the program year to open your application
3. 3 Add your information. Enter your program, personal and financial information. You can save your application and return to it later if needed.
   • If you’re a student with a disability, you may be eligible for additional provincial or federal funding. Go to How to apply for disability funding to learn more.
4. 4 Read and accept the terms and conditions of the StudentAid BC Declaration and Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) Consent for income verification.
5. 5 Submit your application. Review your information before submitting.
6. 6 Track your application status. Log in regularly for updates and check your email for any additional information you may need to provide.
7. 7 If required for your application, ask your parent(s) or partner to provide their information. Wait for an email with instructions for them to log in.
   • They will use the Supporting Users Portal to complete and submit their information. A link to the Portal will be provided in the email.
   • They will log into the Supporting Users Portal using their BC Services Card Account.
   • They must wait until you have submitted your application before logging into the Supporting Users Portal.
   • Parents or partners do not have to create a Student Account to enter their information as this will delay your application. They must follow the link in the email to the Supporting Users Portal.
   If your parent(s) or partner cannot use a BC Services Card account, another option may be available to provide their information during the application process, however, this could delay your application.

Watch our video tutorial to learn how to create your Student Account and submit your application.

1. 1 Create your StudentAid BC Account
   • Go to StudentAid BC Student Account page
   • Select Log in/Register and follow the prompts to log in using your BC Services Card account. Your BC Services Card account will automatically populate your StudentAid BC profile with your personal information.
   • Add your Social Insurance Number (SIN).
   StudentAid BC will verify your SIN, which may take up to 72 hours. Once verification is complete, you’ll be ready to apply.
2. 2 Start your application. Select whether you’re applying for full-time or part-time studies and choose the program year to open your application
3. 3 Add your information. Enter your program, personal and financial information. You can save your application and return to it later if needed.
   • If you’re a student with a disability, you may be eligible for additional provincial or federal funding. Go to How to apply for disability funding to learn more.
4. 4 Read and accept the terms and conditions of the StudentAid BC Declaration and Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) Consent for income verification.
5. 5 Submit your application. Review your information before submitting.
6. 6 Track your application status. Log in regularly for updates and check your email for any additional information you may need to provide.
7. 7 If required for your application, ask your parent(s) or partner to provide their information. Wait for an email with instructions for them to log in.
   • They will use the Supporting Users Portal to complete and submit their information. A link to the Portal will be provided in the email.
   • They will log into the Supporting Users Portal using their BC Services Card Account.
   • They must wait until you have submitted your application before logging into the Supporting Users Portal.
   • Parents or partners do not have to create a Student Account to enter their information as this will delay your application. They must follow the link in the email to the Supporting Users Portal.
   If your parent(s) or partner cannot use a BC Services Card account, another option may be available to provide their information during the application process, however, this could delay your application.

Watch our video tutorial to learn how to create your Student Account and submit your application.