Scholarships, Bursaries and Loans

Post-secondary education can be expensive. StudentAid BC provides loans, grants, bursaries, scholarships and special programs to qualifying students.

Education is an investment in your future that you need to plan for. Use a budget to plan your finances. Outline your income, such as earnings and help from family, and your expected expenses. The budget will help you decide if you will need financial assistance. Many financial tools can help you create a useful budget.

When you know your budget, consider these options:

Scholarships, Bursaries and Grants

Scholarships, bursaries and grants are financial supports that you don’t have to pay back.

Provincial Funding

The StrongerBC Future Skills grant is open to British Columbians aged 19 years or older – regardless of financial need – and covers up to $3,500 per person for eligible short-term skills training at public post-secondary institutions. Learn more about the grant.

StudentAid BC supports students with grants and other student financial assistance programs. StudentAid BC funding is based on the student's financial need. Some programs focus on special groups such as:

• B.C. Access Grant for low- and middle-income students attending B.C. public post-secondary institutions.
• Financial assistance for students with a permanent, or a persistent or prolonged disability.
• Financial assistance for students with dependants.
• Financial assistance for students who are current or former youth in care.

For Indigenous post-secondary students:

• New Relationship Trust Funding for Students – Scholarships and bursaries for eligible B.C. First Nations post-secondary students.
• First Citizens’ Fund for Indigenous Students Student Bursary Program – For registered students who have successfully completed their term of study.
• Aboriginal Learning Links – Band sponsorship, scholarships and bursaries, student loans and grants, employment and creating a budget.
• Indigenous Services Canada – Programs to support eligible First Nations and Inuit students pursuing post-secondary education and career development.
• B.C Scholarship Society – Indigenous award programs.
• Indigenous Bursaries Search Tool – More than 750 bursaries, scholarships and incentives across Canada.
• Indspire – National Indigenous-led registered charity offering bursaries, scholarships and support for Indigenous people.

Students who are or have been in foster care could be eligible for financial supports and tuition waivers. Visit AgedOut.com and the Provincial Tuition Waiver Program page for more information.

Federal Funding

The Government of Canada provides various student grants. Learn more about Canada Student Grants.

Private funding

Many bodies such as clubs, unions and religious organizations also provide grants. Ask about any that might help you.

Student Loans

A student loan is money for your education that you must pay back.

• The Governments of B.C. and Canada work together to provide student loans to full-time students.
• The Government of Canada offers loans to part-time students.
• Some loans can be cancelled when you finish your studies.

To learn more about student loans, visit Canada Student Loans.

Visit StudentAid BC to see how to apply for a loan.

Reduce Your Need for Loans

Earn More Income

Co-operative education programs alternate periods of training with periods of work. They let you earn money and gain experience while completing your education. In this way, you can pay for your post-secondary education and reduce your need for loans.

• Visit the Association for Co-operative Education and Work-Integrated Learning BC/Yukon (ACE-WIL) to learn more about co-op programs.
• Check out the list of institutions offering co-op programs to find programs that interest you.

You can also earn income from part-time and working during semester breaks. In addition to a job, think about tutoring others, providing web services, selling products or offering manual labour.

Reduce Your Expenses

Reduce your need for loans by cutting back on your expenses.

• Learn how to reduce your expenses to fit your budget.