If you are taking Flexible Learning courses, follow the below steps each term you wish to apply for StudentAid BC funding.
To apply for funding, you will need to be declared/accepted into an eligible Flexible Learning Program. Learn about BCIT’s eligible and ineligible programs.
If you haven’t already declared your program, you will need to do this before you can apply for funding. For information on how to declare or apply for your desired program, please see the “Entrance Requirements” tab of your program’s webpage.
As a Flexible Learning student, you will need to finalize your course selection and register before you can apply for funding. This will help to ensure that your funding application is completed correctly, and avoid delays to the release of funding. Please note that changes to your courses after submitting your loan application may cause delays to the release of your funding.
If you are not able to pay for your courses upon registration, you will need to complete steps 3-5 below right away after registration, so that you can request a Tuition Fee Deferral.
Flexible learning students can qualify for either part-time or full-time funding, depending on course dates and total credits. Use the chart below to help you determine whether you are full-time or part-time status.
| Determining Your Courseload (Full-Time Or Part-Time) | |||
| No. Of calendar*
Weeks in each term |
Part-time funding:
Credits required (20%-59% course load) |
Full-time funding:
Credits required (60% course load) |
Full-time funding for students with approved disability status: Credits required
(40% course load) |
| 6-11 | 3+ credits | Part-Time Funding Only | Part-time Funding Only |
| 12–15 | 3-11.5 credits | 12+ credits | 8+ credits |
| 16–19 | 6-15.5 credits | 16+ credits | 11+ credits |
| 20–25 | 7-19.5 credits | 20+ credits | 13+ credits |
| 26–30 | 9-26.5 credits | 26+ credits | 17+ credits |
| 31–38 | 11-30.5 credits | 31+ credits | 21+ credits |
| 39–44 | 13-38.5 credits | 39+ credits | 26+ credits |
| 45–52 | 15-44.5 credits | 45+ credits | 30+ credits |
*To determine the number of calendar weeks in your study period, use the earliest start date of all your classes and the latest end date. Within this study period, count every calendar week (Sunday-Saturday) that has at least one class. Do not rely on the BCIT website course information or external weeks calculators for calculating your study weeks. To request a copy of the Financial Aid Weeks Calculator Excel Document, please email us at finaid@bcit.ca.
Apply for funding online through StudentAid BC. When you apply, the system will generate an application number, which you can put on your Specific Course Completion Contract (SCCC) (see step 5). Make sure to select the correct application type (full-time or part-time) based on your enrolment.
- When you complete your application, pay special attention to the “Select your study dates” question. Skip the drop-down menu with date options and instead check the box that says: “Your study dates are not listed”.
- After you submit your application, BCIT will complete the required Program Information Request (PIR) based on the information provided in your SCCC.
Each term, you will need to complete a Specific Course Completion Contract (SCCC) to inform our office of your course plan so that correct study information can be reported to StudentAid BC. BCIT Financial Aid & Awards will complete a Program Information Request (PIR) for your application based on the information provided in your SCCC.
Make sure to submit your SCCC right away after you submit your StudentAid BC application.
Download the SCCC form here. The SCCC has important information on the first page, including your responsibilities, courseload criteria, and submission instructions. Once you complete the SCCC, you can submit it to our office via email (finaid@bcit.ca) or in-person.
Once you submit your complete application, StudentAid BC will assess your eligibility and determine how much funding you are eligible to receive. 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 to learn more about your recognized costs, resources, approved funding amounts, and funding types.
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.
Confirmation of enrolment requests are processed approximately 1-2 weeks before your term starts. You do not need to request that we confirm your enrolment. If the study period details on your application do not match your enrolment, BCIT Financial Aid & Awards will contact you with more information about next steps.
Approved funds are released after the confirmation of enrolment- typically within the first 1-2 weeks of the term. All approved funds will be sent directly to you. If you received a Tuition Fee Deferral and have fees owing to BCIT at the time of disbursement, it is your responsibility to make your fee payment to BCIT.