STUDENT GRANTS

A student grant is a form of federal or provincial financial aid that does not need to be repaid. They're typically given to people who demonstrate financial need. Grants are amazing sources of financial aid for people with need. Need is determined by filling out budget statements, etc. as provided by the Financial and Academic Planners or directly through the online application with StudentAid BC.

Canada Study Grant (CSG):

This grant is available to first-time students enrolled in their first year at any designated post-secondary educational institution, in at least a two-year program that leads to a certificate, diploma or degree. It covers one half of tuition costs, up to a maximum of $3,000. Eligibility is automatically considered when you apply for a full-time student loan; you do not need to complete any other paperwork to apply.

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Canada Study Grant for Students with Dependants:

For this grant program, “dependants” include children or other wholly dependent relatives, but do not include your spouse. If you have one or two dependants, you may be eligible to receive up to $40 for each week of study. If you have three or more dependants, you may be eligible to receive up to $60 for each week of study. The Canada Study Grant for Students with Dependants is not considered additional assistance, the weekly maximum for student funding still applies. You do not apply separately for this program. Your eligibility for this grant is based on the assessment and award configuration of the full-time British Columbia Student Loan and Canada Student Loan applications. Please contact StudentAid BC for more information.

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Canada Study Grant for Part-Time Students with Dependants:

If you are a student with dependent children and you are attending a post-secondary institution part-time, you will automatically be given a grant of up to $1,920 if you meet certain conditions. Please contact StudentAid BC for more information.

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Canada Access Grant for Students from Low-Income Families:

This federal program may help you meet up to 50% of your post-secondary tuition costs. Please contact StudentAid BC for more information.

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Youth Educational Assistance Fund (YEAF) for Former Youth in Care:

The Youth Educational Assistance Fund (YEAF) provides grants for former BC youth in care between 19 and 23 years of age. The grant is worth up to $5,500 (August 31-July 1). To be eligible for the grant you must meet all of the criteria below:

full-time student or a student with a permanent disability studying at a reduced course load;

registered to take post-secondary-level courses from a designated post-secondary institution in a program leading to a certificate, diploma or degree that is at least 12 weeks in length;

between 19 and 23 years old; and

You must first meet one of the following legal criteria, by being a student:

in the continuing custody of a director designated under section 91 of the Child, Family and Community Service Act pursuant to that Act;

in the permanent custody of the Superintendent of Family and Child Service designated under the former Family and Child Service Act pursuant to that Act; or,

under the guardianship of a director referred to in paragraph (i) or the Superintendent referred to in paragraph (ii) pursuant to section 29(3) of the Family Relations Act until the person turned 19 years of age or the person was adopted; or,

who was under the guardianship of:

a director of adoption pursuant to the Adoption Act;

the director of adoption under the former Adoption Act; or,

the Superintendent of Family and Child Service designated under the former Family and Child Service Act pursuant to the former Adoption Act until the person turned 19 years of age or for at least five years immediately prior to the person's adoption.

If you don’t know if you meet the above criteria, please contact your former social worker or any Ministry of Children and Family Development office for help. To apply for the grant, complete an application form and attach a letter from any Ministry of Children and Family Development office or delegated Aboriginal agency stating you are a former youth-in-care. If you are not applying for financial assistance through StudentAid BC, a Financial and Academic Planner at your school must also complete a confirmation of enrolment form.

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Tuition Assistance Program:

If you are a forestry worker experiencing a temporary lay-off of three months or more, why not use the time to upgrade your skills, knowledge or education? The Community Development Trust Tuition Assistance program provides up to $5,000 for tuition at any designated public or private post-secondary institution in BC. This federally funded program is part of B.C.’s commitment to build economic prosperity across the province, create opportunities, and develop new career paths for impacted forestry workers.