Tuition Reimbursement

To be eligible for PIDP tuition reimbursement, you must first successfully complete BCIT’s POLY 1005 – Instructional Skills Workshop (ISW) before registering for other courses at VCC. BCIT’s polytechnic teaching program (POLY) has a tuition waiver for BCIT employees.

Once you are accepted into the VCC PIDP program, you will then register and pay for the courses you take at VCC. To be reimbursed, you must submit your paperwork on a term-by-term basis after successful completion of the course(s). You can submit all courses taken in a single term for reimbursement; however, bulk submissions for courses that span multiple terms or multiple years will not be accepted. BCIT will pay your transfer fee to apply to VCC, application fee to the program, tuition, and books. BCIT does not pay for travel or parking.

Remember: Both FSA and BCGEU members are eligible for PIDP reimbursement. FSA members can follow the reimbursement process laid out below under the tab “How do I get reimbursed”. BCGEU members can find information about reimbursement at BCGEU Faculty 0.6% PD Fund or BCIT Professional Development Fund for BCGEU Support Staff.

Transferring Credit from BCIT’s POLY Program to VCC’s PIDP
If you have taken courses in BCIT’s Associate Certificate in Polytechnic Teaching, you may be eligible to transfer credits for those courses towards VCC’s PIDP program. Follow the instructions for transferring credits under the tab “How do I transfer my POLY credits to the PIDP at VCC”.

The Learning and Teaching Centre (LTC) at BCIT offers POLY courses throughout the year. Classes are offered evenings and weekends, and POLY 1005 – ISW is also offered during the day. You can find current classes under the Courses menu at Associate Certificate in Polytechnic Teaching. Ensure that you select the correct term tab (i.e., Fall, Winter, Spring).

Please note, credit transfer of POLY 1005 – ISW depends on the delivery mode of your session. If the delivery mode was fully online, VCC provides PLAR credits towards VCC PIDP 3320 – Facilitating Learning Online Fundamentals. If the delivery mode was face-to-face or blended, PLAR credits are towards VCC PIDP 3220 – Delivery of Instruction.

BCGEU applicants should refer to the link provided above. For FSA members, following the successful completion of each course, you will need to submit a variety of documents through our Chrome River system. Documents include:

• Original receipt from VCC and supporting documentation that includes your name (copy of a cheque, VISA or MC statement, cash receipt, etc.) for each course
• Credit card statement that aligns the course cost to your credit card (you can use your mailed statement or download from your CC website; please black out any information that does not relate to your VCC course)
• Documentation that confirms you passed the course
• Invoice or receipt for any textbooks you’re claiming
• Invoice for your transfer costs from BCIT to VCC (one time only)
• Invoice for your application fee to VCC (one time only)

NOTE: If your receipts are paper-based (you paid in person), take a photo and attach it to your Chrome River expense report. Keep all your receipts. You may be requested to show these at a later date.

Once you have all your personal documents in order, you will need to complete the following:

1. Prepare a claim for reimbursement via the Chrome River system (BCIT’s new PD, Purchase Card reconciliation, Travel and Expense program).
2. The claim process summary/steps can be found at Chrome report (please attach all supporting documents, credit card statements and corresponding receipts to the expense report).
3. Please allow 3 to 4 weeks for processing and payment. Finance is very efficient once they receive all the correct document.

If you have taken POLY 1005 – ISW or more POLY courses at BCIT and wish to continue on with the PIDP, follow these steps when applying for an exemption of credits with VCC:

1. Download and complete the VCC PLAR Request form [PDF]. This is a fillable pdf. Add your digital signature. If you cannot digitally sign, print the form and then sign.
2. Add the date you completed your POLY courses.
3. Attach your ISW certificate and other transcripts required by VCC (please confirm with VCC which documents they require).
4. Ensure you send the required funds.
5. Submit to transfercredit@vcc.ca.
6. Keep a copy for your own records.

Please check with VCC to confirm the correct steps for applying for PLAR credit.

Please be aware that credit transfer of POLY 1005 – Instructional Skills Workshop depends on the delivery mode. If the delivery mode was fully online, VCC provides PLAR credits towards VCC PIDP 3320. If the delivery mode was face-to-face or blended, PLAR credits are towards VCC PIDP 3220.

Lost your ISW certificate?

• You will need to send your official BCIT transcript to transfercredit@vcc.ca.

• Additionally, contact poly@bcit.caand request a letter outlining the POLY 1005 – ISW delivery dates, the delivery method used (online, blended, or face-to-face), and the first and last name of the facilitator.

Any application or exemption fees when applying for the PIDP will be reimbursed to you as per the BCIT reimbursement policy.