Empowering youth in and from government care in BC

Do I qualify for a student loan?

Actually, it’s not you that qualifies, it’s the school you want to go to. If you want to attend any major college, institute, or university in BC, you should be fine. If you’re unsure whether your school you’re attending qualifies, check StudentAid BC’s list of eligible schools.

How do I apply for a student loan?

1. Create a StudentAid BC account.
2. Start your online application. You can save and come back to it later. It’s pretty long.Here’s what you’ll need to finish the application:

   Social Insurance Number (SIN)
   Student ID number
   School and program name
   School start and end dates
   Education history
   Work history
   Banking information
   Sources of income
   Childcare costs (if you have kids)
   Any funding you’ve received from scholarships, grants, bursaries, or tuition waivers
   Vehicle information (if you have one)

   Insider Tip

   If you were in care until your 19th birthday or are currently in care, answer Yes to Question 29: Youth in Continuing Care of the B.C. Director. A window will pop up to tell you how to apply for the Youth Education Assistance Fund. The fund gives you money for school that you won’t have to pay back.

3. Submit your application when it’s finished. (Yay! That’s a feat in itself.)
4. Print off in your application and the two consent forms. The consent forms are StudentAid BC Declaration and Canada Revenue Agency release form. You will not receive your loan until these forms are signed.
5. Sign and mail your consent forms to:
   StudentAid BC
   PO Box 9173 Stn Prov Govt
   Victoria, BC V8W 9H7
6. Check your application status by calling 1-800-561-1818 or logging in to your StudentAid BC account.

Who can help me with the application?

If you need help with your student loan application you can call StudentAid BC toll-free at 1-800-561-1818. Staff are available Monday to Friday 8:30am – 4:30pm Pacific time.

*NEW*

The Province of BC has announced the new B.C Access Grant.
Students who apply for a student loan as of September 2020 will automatically be assessed for the B.C Access Grant.

Click here to learn more.

When do I have to pay the money back?

You have to start repaying the loan seven months after you finish school. Finished school means:

• You completed your program.
• You transferred to part-time studies.
• You’re taking time off from school.
• You decided not to finish the program.

StudentAid BC will contact you to create a payment plan when you finish school. If you don’t think you can make your payments, apply for the Repayment Assistance Plan. If you don’t respond, they’ll automatically withdraw payments from your bank account when those seven months are up.