Here you will find information about tuition fee deferrals: what they are, how to apply, and how to determine your eligibility.
About tuition fee deferral
Tuition fee deferrals give you a little breathing room. Their purpose is to extend fee deadlines to allow more time for funding to arrive.
A Tuition Fee Deferral Request is the application you submit to request an extension of your tuition fee payment deadline. You may submit a Tuition Fee Deferral Request when your student loan or other eligible funding source will not arrive before your tuition fees are due.
If your Tuition Fee Deferral Request is approved, you still have to pay your fees, but at a later date. You must submit a new Request for each term.
Student loans and tuition fee deferral
Applying for a student loan and grant doesn’t automatically mean you will be considered for a tuition fee deferral. You must make a separate application for a deferral.
Deferral eligibility
To be eligible for a fee deferral, you must prove that you have an adequate and confirmed source of funding. You can do that by meeting at least one of the following criteria:
- You have been approved for government loan or grant funding in BC (StudentAid BC) or another province/territory.
- You are receiving other sources of funding, such as EI sponsorship, RRSP, RESP, awards, scholarships or sponsorships. Proof of funding is required.
- You have been approved for Adult Upgrading Grant funding for the term.
Other considerations:
- If you are a student accepted into a full-time program, you must pay your BCIT commitment fee before we can consider your Deferral Request.
- You cannot defer tuition fees that exceed the total amount of your funding, unless you pay the difference first.
- BCIT does not offer payment plans, such as paying tuition fees over a period of time.
- Tuition Fee Deferral Requests are approved on a term-by-term basis. You must submit a new Request for each term.
The following are not eligible for a tuition fee deferral:
- Outstanding tuition and/or student fees in the previous term
- Airline and Flight Operations (flying school fees)
- International students
- Apprentice students
StudentAid BC applications available
StudentAid BC applications are now available. Visit Student Loans & Grants to find out how to apply.
About student loans and tuition fee deferral
Applying for a student loan and grant doesn’t automatically mean you will be considered for a tuition fee deferral. You must make a separate application (a Tuition Fee Deferral Request) for a deferral.
In BC, apply to StudentAid BC for funding help. Your application may take up to six weeks to process, so apply as early as possible.
A fee deferral is necessary if you are a first-year student relying on StudentAid BC funding to pay tuition. This is because while fees are due 60 days in advance of term start, you will not receive any student loan funds until you are registered and attending classes.
Student loans and budgeting
The other reason to apply for student loan funding early is for budgeting purposes. Applying early will help you determine:
- how much funding you will receive each term
- whether you have enough funds to pay educational costs plus living expenses (remember that StudentAid BC supplements but does not cover all educational and living costs)
- whether to apply for a line of credit or other alternate funding sources
- whether to apply for bursaries, entrance awards, etc.
Tuition fee payment deadlines
BCIT tuition fees are payable on a term-by-term basis.
Full-time (including new and returning) students
- Please see Tuition Fee Deadlines for details.
Part-time students
- Tuition fees must be paid at the time of registration. Please refer to Paying for Flexible Learning (Part-time Studies) courses for details.
How to apply
Follow these steps to apply for a tuition fee deferral. Submit a new Deferral Request for each term.
Full-time StudentAid BC recipients
- Apply online through your myBCIT account.
- Check your application status via myBCIT in approximately 3-4 days.
- If your application is approved, note the extended fee deadline.
- If you are approved, but your funding won’t arrive by the extended payment deadline, submit an Tuition Fee Deferral Appeal or Extension form.
- If your application is denied, submit an Tuition Fee Deferral Appeal or Extension form.
All other applicants
Email your application and supporting documents to finaid@bcit.ca, including:
- Tuition Fee Deferral Application [PDF] or
- Tuition Fee Deferral Appeal or Extension form [PDF] and
- all supporting documentation. See chart below to determine what you will need to submit.
Required supporting documentation for non-StudentAid BC recipients
| If you are: | You must submit: |
|---|---|
A student receiving:
|
A copy of funding documentation |
| A student taking part-time studies courses and applying for full-time funding | A completed Specific Course Completion Contract [PDF] |
| Taking a part-time course load and are declared in an eligible part-time program | A completed StudentAid BC Part-time Studies Application [PDF] |
| Taking Adult Upgrading Courses | A completed Adult Upgrading Grant Application [PDF] |
Refunds & Withdrawals
If you drop courses, decide not to attend classes, or become ineligible for funding, you are responsible for withdrawing from your courses and for any fees or penalties that may result. Refer to BCIT Refunds & Withdrawal Policies for further information.
After you apply
Here are a few things to be aware of after you apply for a tuition fee deferral.
Processing time
Tuition fee deferral applications are processed in the order received and may take up to five business days to process.
Application status
Check your application status on your myBCIT account, whether you submitted online or on paper. Log in and select:
- Student Self Service
- Financial Aid link on the top of the webpage
Approved status
If your request is approved, take note of your deferred due date.
If you anticipate your funding will arrive later than the approved deferred date, submit a Tuition Fee Deferral Appeal or Extension form [PDF].
Important: If a fee deferral expires, your tuition fees are not paid in full, and you have not requested an extension, you may be de-registered from your program and/or courses.
Denied status
If you would like us to reconsider your application, you may submit a Tuition Fee Deferral Appeal or Extension form [PDF].
Extend or appeal requests
If you anticipate your funding will arrive later than the approved deferred date, or to appeal a denied request, submit a Tuition Fee Deferral Appeal or Extension form [PDF] to finaid@bcit.ca
Check your myBCIT account to view the status of your Extension or Appeal Request.
If your Extension or Appeal Request is denied, you must pay your tuition fee by the due date. Failure to do so may result in de-registration from your program and/or courses.