Everything you need to know about Student Aid BC

Canadian education is valued across the world for its quality and its focus on employability. To meet the expenses of Canadian education, the federal government and provincial governments have launched several financial assistance programs to help eligible candidates. If you are a resident of British Columbia who plans to enroll in a higher education institution, we have some good news for you.

The Canadian province of British Columbia has launched a financial assistance program called Student Aid BC to provide funding for post-secondary education. It is a need-based financial system that supports eligible students who can gain the economic benefits provided by the British Columbia government. It’s important to find out how you can benefit from Student Aid BC.

What is Student Aid BC?

Student Aid BC is a funding and financial aid program from the British Columbia province to help eligible candidates cover the cost of their post-secondary education in colleges and universities. The program provides loans, grants, scholarships, bursaries, and other help for students who are burdened by the expenses of higher education.

Student Aid BC connects students to both provincial and federal student loan programs. While British Columbia student aid is provided by the provincial government, the Canadian student loan is approved by the federal government. The National Student Loans Service Centre (NSLSC) manages these two loans as a single entity and allocates them to eligible students.

What is the eligibility criteria for Student Aid BC?

The eligibility criteria for the Student Aid BC has been decided by the provincial government. A student must meet the eligibility criteria listed by the province to be able to receive financial aid:

• You must be a Canadian citizen
  
• If you are an international immigrant, you must have a permanent resident card or document issued by the federal government or a protected person status
  
• You must be a resident of the Canadian province of British Columbia
  
• Your primary occupation should be pursuing full-time studies. The program you pursue must provide you with a certificate, diploma, or degree on completion
  
• You must be enrolled at an eligible institution in an eligible program
  
• You must prove to the authorities that you need financial help
  
• The academic standing must be satisfactory and must meet the credit requirements.

All the information provided by you in the application form will be thoroughly checked and verified by the concerned authorities. You will not be eligible for Student Aid BC if you:

• Have been incarcerated or have any arrest warrants against you
  
• Receive more money than you are eligible to receive
  
• Are behind your monthly scheduled payments.

How much can you receive from Student Aid BC?

The financial aid from Student Aid BC depends on your financial status, length of study, and other factors. The resources you have are deducted from the total educational cost to calculate your financial need. The calculated need is then compared with the weekly funding limit and the lowest of the two will be what you are eligible for.

The financial aid will cover the living expenses and educational costs of the student. The living allowance covers food, accommodation, transport, and other miscellaneous expenses. The educational cost covers tuition, books, fees, and other supplies.

The 2022/2023 allowances for British Columbia students are shown in the table below:

How to apply for Student Aid BC

If you are a full-time student, you can apply for the Student Aid BC program by following the steps below:

• As a new applicant, you must first set up your BC services card and get your identity verified to access the application
  
  
• Choose the school you wish to attend and select your period of study. Make sure that the school is eligible for funding
  
  
• Calculate how much financial assistance you require
  
  
• Apply through the Student Aid BC dashboard.

Once you apply, your request will be examined by the authorities who will respond within six weeks of the submission date. It is not mandatory that you are admitted to a school to apply for financial aid, but you will not receive the money until your college confirms your enrollment in a full-time program.

Are you keen to pursue a post-secondary education? Canadian College of Technology and Business (CCTB) offers various post-secondary diploma programs in technology, business, and hospitality that will help you develop the essential skills required to join the workforce. The programs are aligned with the changing demands of the marketplace and are taught by an experienced faculty which will prepare you for a successful career after graduation.

At CCTB, we offer programs that are eligible under the Student Aid BC scheme. Once you enroll in any of our programs, you can also apply for financial assistance and receive full support from our staff.