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Flexible Learning students may apply for full-time or part-time funding, depending on their course load for each study period. Please refer to our Flexible Learning Programs page for detailed instructions on applying for funding as a Flexible Learning student.
StudentAid BC determines how much funding students are eligible for based on their assessed financial need. BCIT Financial Aid & Awards is not able to predict the amount of funding you will receive. To determine exactly how much funding you are eligible to receive, you will need to submit an application.
Once you submit your application, you can view your application status and action items through your StudentAid BC account. Once your application is processed, make sure you review your assessment from Student Aid BC. If you are approved for funding, you will need to accept your assessment and complete your Master Student Financial Assistance Agreement (MSFAA) if it is requested. If you do not accept your assessment or have a missing MSFAA, confirmation of enrolment will not be requested and funds will not be released.
Your confirmation of enrolment request will be processed approximately 1-2 weeks before your term start date. You do not need to ask BCIT to confirm your enrolment, as BCIT will receive the request directly from Student Aid BC. Confirmation of enrolment cannot be processed before this 1-2 week timeline.
Funds are sent to students after confirmation of enrolment, and typically arrive within the first 1-2 weeks of your study period start date. Students will never receive funding before the start of the term. If your fees are due before you will receive funding, you may request a Tuition Fee Deferral.
BCIT does not collect funds directly from StudentAid BC. This means that you will receive all approved funding to your bank account. If you owe BCIT tuition & fees, make your payment once you receive your StudentAid BC funding.
If you expect that you will not be successful in all your classes, we recommend that you contact our office to discuss potential impacts to your funding.
Repayment of previous loans starts 6 months after your study ends. If you are receiving StudentAid BC funding, you do not need to complete a separate in-study payment-free status application.
You should apply for in-study payment-free status if:
Please note that part-time studies will not pause payments on previous full-time funding.
No interest is charged on student loans received through StudentAid BC (including Canada Student Loans). If you are receiving loans through another province/territory, please check directly with them about interest.
For courses to be eligible for funding, they must be part of an eligible program, and you must be accepted into that program. Courses taken prior to your program admission/start term are not eligible for funding.
Students who are in programs that are not eligible for StudentAid BC funding often explore external awards. For support with general financial wellbeing, please refer to our Financial Wellbeing Guide.
Yes, you are welcome (and encouraged) to pay your fees upfront if you are able. Paying your fees out-of-pocket does not impact your eligibility for StudentAid BC funding; if your tuition is paid already, any approved loan/grant funding would be sent directly to you.
Please visit our Tuition Fee Deferrals page for detailed instructions on how to request a Tuition Fee Deferral.
Yes, you can. When you receive your first disbursement, make sure to pay at least 50% of your BCIT tuition/fees. After that, you may request an extension of your Tuition Fee Deferral so that you can pay the second half of your fees with your second disbursement, as long as your second disbursement is enough to cover your remaining balance.
We are only able to approve a Tuition Fee Deferral up to the amount of your total approved funding. If you pay the difference first, you may submit a Tuition Fee Deferral request for the remainder of your balance.
See here for information on tuition payment.
BCIT Bursaries are available for eligible students once per calendar year. You must have completed at least one term/level of full-time study in your program before you can apply for a bursary. A full list of eligible programs is posted during each bursary application period, so please check if your program/term is eligible before you apply.
You can determine whether your program progresses by levels or terms by reviewing your program matrix. Search for your program, select Courses, and then refer to the program matrix for more details.
You will receive an email notification once results are available. Find information on when and how to view bursary results.
Bursary amounts are not fixed and may vary based on available funding and individual student financial circumstances.
Students can register for Direct Deposit (EFT) through BCIT Financial Services for any expected payments including awards, scholarships, and bursaries. Register for Direct Deposit.
If you do not register for EFT, payment will be issued by cheque and mailed within 4 weeks of fund disbursement. Please ensure your mailing address is up to date in your myBCIT account.
After the bursary is applied to your student account, it may take up to two weeks for the payment to be processed. This is an automatic process; no action is needed on your part. Once processed, your bursary may take up to four weeks to be received, depending on whether it is issued by EFT (direct deposit) or cheque.
If there are no outstanding fees on your student account for the current term, your bursary will be issued to you. If you have outstanding fees, it will first be applied to your student account, and any remaining balance will be paid to you. No action is required on your part.
While late applications are not accepted, if the deadline was missed due to extenuating circumstances, please contact us as soon as possible.
Late Entrance Awards applications are not accepted. Please note that to apply for entrance awards you must have applied for admission to your program—acceptance into your program is not required by the Entrance Awards deadline.
BCIT offers various need and merit-based awards.
Visit the External Awards page for scholarships, bursaries, or other financial supports offered by organizations and agencies outside of BCIT.
Any BCIT scholarships, bursaries, and awards for underrepresented groups are included within our award applications, so no separate applications are necessary. We also encourage you to visit our External Awards page for opportunities offered outside of BCIT.
Students can register for Direct Deposit (EFT) through BCIT Financial Services for any expected payments including awards, scholarships, and bursaries. Register for Direct Deposit.
If you do not register for EFT, payment will be issued by cheque and mailed within 4 weeks of fund disbursement. Please ensure your mailing address is up to date in your myBCIT account.
After the award is applied to your student account, it may take up to two weeks for the payment to be processed. This is an automatic process; no action is needed on your part. Once processed, your award may take up to four weeks to be received, depending on whether it is issued by EFT (direct deposit) or cheque.
Please contact BCIT’s Student Information and Enrolment Services (SIES) if you require a stamp or confirmation of enrolment letter for your external scholarship or award.
If there are no outstanding fees on your student account for the current term, your award will be issued to you. If you have outstanding fees, it will first be applied to your student account, and any remaining balance will be paid to you. No action is required on your part.
Students are issued the following tax documents from BCIT:
Follow the links above for more information on these tax documents and how to access them.
If you received grants or bursaries from provincial/territorial funding, any tax documents (i.e. T4A) will be issued through the relevant account (StudentAid BC, OSAP, etc.). Canada Student Grant tax slips will be available through your NSLSC account.
Please speak with a tax professional for support with your taxes. BCIT Student Financial Aid & Awards staff are not able to provide tax advice.
International students in full-time programs are eligible for some academic awards. These awards do not require an application and you would be notified if you were selected. Unfortunately, international students are not currently eligible for BCIT Bursaries or StudentAid BC funding. If you are experiencing a financial emergency due to unexpected circumstances beyond your control, please contact our office.
BCIT Student Financial Aid & Awards is here to help you with your application. However, we are not able to complete a funding application on your behalf. If you have questions or need help along the way, you can contact us for support. 30-minute advising appointments are available for in-depth support.
Please visit our Financial Wellbeing Guide for information on navigating resources and managing your money at every stage of your student journey.