BC Provincial Tuition Waiver Updates
Effective August 1, 2023, the B.C government is implementing improved student financial supports to help former youth in care access post-secondary education and trades training. See here for their announcement on these program enhancements. New initiatives to support former youth in care include:
- Opening the Provincial Tuition Waiver Program (PTWP) for former youth in care of any age
- PTWP Eligibility for students who turned 19 while on any legal care status, regardless of time spent in care
- Introducing a new annual grant up to $3,500 to help students who are recipients of the provincial tuition waiver pay for additional costs such as books, computers, and internet services. Please check here for updates on how to apply after August 1st, 2023.
If you have formerly spent time as a Youth-in-Care in BC, you may qualify for financial support to cover some of your educational costs.
BC Provincial Tuition Waiver Program
The Provincial Tuition Waiver Program waives tuition and fees for students attending a BC public post-secondary institution, who are 19 to 26 years of age (inclusive) and who are former youth in care for a total of two years or more (consecutive or accumulated), in one or more of the eligible categories. For more information, visit StudentAidBC/Provincial-tuition-waiver-program
Youth Education Assistance Fund (YEAF)
Please note: This program is being phased out; first-time applicants can still submit applications up until July 31, 2023.
YEAF is a grant to help with expenses related to your education, and can be provided for up to four years. Funding up to $5,500 is available for eligible applicants per program year. Students may receive a maximum of four grants.
To be eligible for this grant you must meet ONE of the following legal criteria:
- In the continuing custody of a director designated under Section 91 of the Child, Family and Community Service Act (CFCSA)pursuant to that act; or
- Under the guardianship of a director pursuant to section 51(1)(a) of the Infants Act; or;
- Under the guardianship of a director of adoption pursuant to the Adoption Act
Completed forms may be submitted to the BCIT Financial Aid and Awards office. For more information, see here.
BCIT Youth in Care Tuition Waiver Program
The BCIT Youth in Care Tuition Waiver Program provides up to $5,000 to each of five (5) students, who grew up in the BC care system, and are currently enrolled in, or students accepted to enter a full-time BCIT program (excluding Apprenticeship programs). Tuition waivers apply only toward the completion of a first certificate or diploma at BCIT. For more information, view: BCIT Youth in Care Waiver [PDF]
Storwell Foster Children Bursary Program
Storwell offers an annual bursary of $2,000 in support of foster children to help them attend post-secondary schools and to offer a hand up as they make their way forward in life. For more information, visit: Storwell.com/bursary-application
Agreements with Youth Adults (AYA)
The Agreements with Youth Adults (AYA) program can assist you if you have been in foster care or had a youth agreement. This program can help with costs such as housing, tuition, and supplies while you attend school. For more information, visit: gov.bc.ca/ Youth-agreements