2026/2027 StudentAid BC applications now open!
StudentAid BC provides loans and grants to students with financial need to help with the cost of post-secondary education. Loans will need to be paid back after your studies, and grants do not need to be paid back.
Eligibility for StudentAid BC funding is determined when you submit your application. To be considered for funding, you must meet all basic eligibility requirements, including:
- Be a Canadian citizen, a permanent resident or have protected person status
- Have a valid Canadian social insurance number
- Be a resident of British Columbia
- Be enrolled in courses which are part of an eligible program of study (see BCIT’s eligible and ineligible program lists)
- Demonstrate financial need
For full details on eligibility requirements, please visit StudentAid BC’s website.
Before you apply for funding, make sure to check your program’s eligibility using the following lists. Not all BCIT programs are eligible for funding through StudentAid BC.
- Eligible Programs– Eligible for StudentAid BC funding and in-study payment-free status
- Ineligible Programs– Not Eligible for StudentAid BC funding in-study payment-free status
If you do not see your program name on either list, please contact Student Financial Aid & Awards to inquire about your program’s eligibility.
Apprenticeship Training is not eligible for funding through StudentAid BC. Apprentice Services is available to help apprenticeship students explore financial support options. Please see the Apprentice Services website or contact Apprentice Services for more information on programs including Employment Insurance (EI) and the Canada Apprentice Loan (CAL).
StudentAid BC funding supports students with educational costs including:
- Tuition, mandatory fees, books, and supplies
- Transportation
- Day-care expenses for eligible dependents
- Living expenses such as food, shelter, and miscellaneous costs (full-time funding only)
If you are approved for funding through StudentAid BC, the total amount of funding you receive will be determined based on:
- Your personal and family financial information
- Study period length
- Eligible expenses for the term
All applicants are subject to StudentAid BC’s weekly and lifetime funding maximums. This means you may not receive enough funds to cover all eligible expenses. Not all students receive the maximum amount.
BCIT Student Financial Aid & Awards is not able to predict how much funding you will receive. To determine your eligibility for funding, you will need to apply through StudentAid BC and await their assessment.
StudentAid BC applications are accepted online through StudentAid BC’s online application system. To set up your account and log in, you will need to set up a BC Services Card account. Visit StudentAid BC’s login page for login information.
StudentAid BC applications with BCIT are accepted on a term-by-term basis. This means you will need to submit a new application for each term you would like to request funding. You are encouraged to apply early each term. The deadline to submit your completed application is 6 weeks before the end of each term.
If you are in a full-time program, you may apply for funding as soon as your term dates are available in the drop-down menu on the full-time StudentAid BC application, ideally at least 4 weeks before you tuition due date. Find more information about funding for full-time students.
If you are in a Flexible Learning program, you may apply for funding as soon as you are accepted into an eligible program and registered in your courses for the term. Please read through our Flexible Learning application instructions for more details on this process.
There are two different accounts that will help you stay informed and up-to-date on your student loans:
Your online StudentAid BC account will show a variety of information on your funding applications including application status updates, assessment details, and appeal decisions.
Your online National Student Loans Service Centre account will allow you to track your borrowing over time, apply for in-study payment-free status, and manage repayment.
Loans received through StudentAid BC are all interest-free. You can track your total amount borrowed though your National Student Loans Service Centre (NSLSC) account.
If you have received full-time student loans through StudentAid BC, you will be expected to begin repayment at the start of the 7th month after you either: finish your last full-time study period, leave or take time off from school, or go from full-time to part-time study.
If you have received part-time student loans through StudentAid BC, you will be expected to begin repayment at the start of the 7th month after you either: finish your last full-time or part-time study period or leave or take time off from school.
Learn more about in-study payment-free status to ensure your loans do not enter repayment earlier than anticipated. If you enter repayment during a period of financial difficulty, you may qualify for reduced payments or extended payment-free status through the Repayment Assistance Plan.
StudentAid BC keeps key information up to date on their website. We encourage you to visit the following webpages to better understand your funding eligibility, application processes, and loan responsibilities.
If you are a non-BC resident from another Canadian province or territory, you will need to apply for funding through the province/territory where you are a resident. Visit our out-of-province page for more information.