Part-time Assistance :: How to Apply

Important things to know before applying

• You must have a BCIT ID to apply. Create your BCIT student number now. 
• Application deadline is first day of classes. 
• Apply early, as funding from the government is limited. Attempts are made to assist as many students as possible.
• Submit one application form per term. Your application will be considered for all available part-time assistance programs.
• If you are applying for funding for credit courses, you must be working towards an eligible full-time certificate, diploma or degree at BCIT.
• Be sure to include all required documentation. Consult our frontline if you're uncertain of what to provide for documentation.
• Only complete applications will be accepted and processed.
• You must successfully complete all courses funded under the BCIT Part-time Assistance program to be eligible for further funding.
• Be sure to notify the Student Financial Aid and Awards of any changes that occur after you submit your application.

Choose your part-time courses

Available BCIT programs & courses for the upcoming term can be viewed on the web in a searchable format, or in print in the BCIT Part-time flyer. You can request that a flyer be mailed to you (call 604-434-1610 or toll-free at 1-866-434-1610 (Canada and United States only) or can obtain a copy from:

• BCIT Student Information and Enrolment Services department - in person at the Burnaby campus, 3700 Willingdon Avenue, Building SW1 A (Campus Square Courtyard),
• BCIT downtown campus at 555 Seymour Street, Vancouver, or
• the BCIT website in PDF format. 

Ready to apply? Obtain an application

BCIT Part-time Assistance application forms are available from:

• BCIT Student Financial Aid and Awards - in person at the Burnaby campus, Building SW1-2131,
• BCIT downtown campus registration counter,
• online from our download forms page for Part-Time Studies-Financial Assistance [PDF, 145 KB] for credit courses and the ABESAP Application [PDF, 68 KB] for non-credit courses. Important information for courses starting on or after April 1, 2012.  Please be advised the ABESAP program is changing.  As a result, the application will change.  If the current application is submitted for courses starting after April 1, the application will be denied.  Please continue to check our website for updates.  

Do you meet the eligibility requirements?  

Read the two-page information sheet that accompanies Part-Time Studies-Financial Assistance Application [PDF, 145 KB] or the ABESAP Application [PDF, 68 KB] for details on eligibility requirements. Important information for courses starting on or after April 1, 2012.  Please be advised the ABESAP program is changing.  As a result, the application will change.  If the current application is submitted for courses starting after April 1, the application will be denied.  Please continue to check our website for updates.

This information can also be viewed in HTML format on our website, for either credit courses or non-credit courses. Before completing your application, consider:

• Are your course(s) and program of study eligible?
• Do you meet the BC residency and citizenship requirements?

Have you completed the application correctly?

• Be sure to answer ALL questions.
• Faxed or incomplete applications will not be processed.
• Complete your application in ink.
• If in doubt, bring your fully completed application to the Student Financial Aid and Awards frontline to be checked prior to submitting for processing.

Have you attached the required documentation?

When answering certain questions on the application you may be instructed to attach documentation in order for your application to be considered complete. Examples of situations where documentation would be required include:

• If you are a Landed Immigrant - provide a copy of your (and your spouse's if married) IMM 1000 form (Record of Landing) or a copy (both sides) of your Permanent Resident's card.
• If you indicate you have a permanent disability, complete the Permanent Disability Programs Application [PDF, 293 KB] and submit together with the Part-Time Studies-Financial Assistance Application [PDF, 145 KB] to the Student Financial Aid and Awards frontline.

Notification of your assessment

For Canada Student Grant and Loans:

Changes to the Canada Student Grant and Loan processing procedures:
Starting August 1, 2009, students in part-time courses should submit Canada Student Grant and Loan applications to the Student Financial Aid and Awards (SFAA) for processing.  It is recommended that the student submit an application no later than 8 weeks before the start of classes.  SFAA will then forward the application to StudentAid BC (SABC) in Victoria.

SABC will calculate the award and send the student a Notice of Assessment in the mail, showing how the award was calculated and actual award amount.  Close to the start of classes, SFAA will confirm student's registration in the courses for which they are seeking part-time assistance.  Upon SFAA confirmation, SABC will send the student a Certificate of Eligibility with further instructions.

Students with questions about their application once it has been assessed should contact SABC directly at 604-660-2610 if you are calling from the Lower Mainland or 1-800-561-1818 toll free if you are calling from outside the Lower Mainland.

NOTE: a student must be registered in their course(s) BEFORE they will receive their Certificate of Eligibility and funds.  BCIT students registering in part-time course(s) are required to pay for their own tuition fees at the time of registration. This means that a student will need to find their own means of paying for their course(s) as Student Financial Aid and Awards is not in a position to assist in any way.

For ABESAP Awards:

Approximately two weeks from when your application is submitted, one of the following two e-mails will be sent to your myBCIT account:

For ABESAP Awards: Award approval e-mail Notification

This e-mail notifies you that you have been approved for funding.

• It will outline the approved BCIT term, course(s) and funding amounts.
• You can then proceed to register in your course(s) either by registering online or by phone at 604-434-1610 (or toll-free at 1-866-434-1610 - Canada and United States only) or in-person.
• Once you have registered your BCIT account will automatically be credited with the tuition portion of your award. The balance of your award, if any, will be mailed to you in the form of a cheque approximately two weeks prior to the start of your classes.
• If you have already registered and paid for your course(s), you will receive a refund cheque for tuition in the mail within three weeks. If you have been approved for an additional amount for books, etc. this cheque will be mailed to you shortly before your classes start.
• You must successfully complete all courses funded under the BCIT Part-Time Student Assistance Program to be eligible for future assistance. If you choose not to register or want to withdraw from your course(s), notify the Student Financial Aid and Awards in writing, immediately. Failure to do so will affect your eligibility for future funding.

For ABESAP Awards: NIL award e-mail Notification

This e-mail advises you that you were not approved for funding for the course(s) and BCIT term supplied on your application.

• There are many factors that could affect your eligibility for funding.
• Reason(s) will be indicated on this e-mail.
• Refer to the next section on how to appeal the decision. 

Appeal process for ABESAP   

• You have 14 days (from the date on the e-mail) to appeal the decision in writing.
• To request a review of your application, complete a Part-time Assistance Review Request.
• Provide as much relevant information as possible with your request.
• Once your application has been reviewed you will be notified by e-mail at myBCIT.