BC Provincial Tuition Waiver Program Funding
Vancouver Island University is excited to announce that former youth in care in BC of all ages will now have their tuition waived for post-secondary education, as the BC government takes action to remove the age requirement for the BC Provincial Tuition Waiver Program for former youth in care and make it available for a lifetime.
In 2017, the B.C. government developed the Provincial Tuition Waiver Program that waived tuition and fees for former youth in care between 19 and 26. Effective Aug. 1, 2023, this expanded tuition waiver will be made available to all B.C. former youth in care at any age as part of StrongerBC’s Future Ready plan to make education and training more accessible and affordable.
The Provincial Tuition Waiver Program covers a wide range of undergraduate study options, including courses leading to a certificate, diploma or undergraduate degree, non-credit courses, apprenticeship programs and continuing education courses.
Mallory Woods, student, Vancouver Island University
“It took a village to get me this far, and it will continue to take a village to get others here beside me. The Provincial Tuition Waiver Program offers to those who have been in care the possibility to make strong strides towards the life they want to live, even if they, like me, once thought that life was unattainable. I truly can't say what a gift that is. On a personal level it is life changing, both for me and for any lineage after me. On a community level, the tuition waiver program sounds to me like a love letter, from the university to potential students. It says, ‘You have been through something impossibly hard, but you are welcome here, no explanation needed.’ It is an example of unconditional love, institutionalized.”
Learn more about Access to post-secondary education expanded for former youth in care
BC Provincial Tuition Waiver Program
The B.C government announced improved student financial supports to help former youth in care access post-secondary education and trades training.
Effective August 1st, 2023, StudentAid BC will improve supports for former youth in care by:
- Opening the Provincial Tuition Waiver Program (PTWP) for former youth in care of any age.
- Enhancing PTWP eligibility to include those former youth in care who were on any care status when they turned 19 regardless of their time in care.
- Introducing a new annual grant up to $3,500 to help students who are recipients of the provincial tuition waiver pay for additional costs such as books, computers, and internet services.
What is covered?
The Provincial Tuition Waiver Program supports B.C. students who are former youth in care by providing tuition and mandatory fee waivers while attending an eligible B.C. post-secondary institution.
This program is not intended to replace existing programs. Other programs that help offset educational and other related costs will continue. Students receiving funding through another program such as the Youth Education Assistance Fund or Agreements with Young Adults are still eligible for a tuition waiver.
1. Apply to be a VIU Student.
2. Apply for the BC Provincial Tuition Waiver Program and email or drop off the completed digitally fillable BC Tuition Waiver Program Application to Financial Aid & Awards for processing.
Are you a BC Tuition Waiver Program Approved student transferring to VIU?
- Notify our Financial Aid Office and Registration Office that you are an approved BC TWP student.
- Notify the BC Tuition Waiver Program Systems Navigator to request a transfer of your BC Tuition Waiver Program Sponsorship to VIU.
Got Questions? Check out the BC Provincial Tuition Waiver Program FAQ for answers.
Other Funding Supports for Former Youth in Care
The Learning for Future Grant is available to full-time or part-time students who meet the eligibility criteria requirements for the Provincial Tuition Waiver Program and are enrolled in a program or course that leads, or will lead, to a credential at the undergraduate level.
The Learning for Future Grant provides an annual grant of $3,500 per program year (August 1 to July 31) to eligible current or former youth in care students to assist with additional education related costs that are not covered by the Provincial Tuition Waiver Program (e.g. textbooks, computers, supplies, etc.).
To learn more visit Learning for Future Grant | StudentAid BC
The Youth Education Bursary assists young people that are, or have been in care pursue a career in social, health or education services. Bursaries support students with the financial costs of tuition, books, and supplies for post-secondary academic, technical or vocational training or academic upgrading.
Learn more about the Youth Education Bursary
The Youth Futures Education Fund was established to provide living expenses to youth who have aged out of the foster care system and are attending a post-secondary institution on a tuition waiver.
To apply, email FinancialAidInfo@viu.ca
If you’ve been in foster care or had a Youth Agreement, you may qualify for the Agreements with a Young Adult program to help cover the cost of things like housing, child care, tuition and health care while you go back to school, or attend rehabilitation, vocational or approved life skills program.
TELUS Mobility For Good provides youth (between 19-26 years) who were in permanent or temporary care of Ministry of Children and Family Development/Delegated Aboriginal Agency with access to a TELUS cell phone plan at $0 per month, which will include unlimited across Canada talk and text and up to 3GB of monthly data usage.
AgedOut is for young adults who were in government care in BC. It's an up-to-date warehouse of information on resources and services available to young adults and a learning tool to help people feel empowered as they leave care.
Young people and families involved in the child welfare system can now access support through one of 52 partners across Canada as part of the Foundation’s updated COVID-19 Response Program.
To see if you are eligible for a COVID-19 Support Fund for Former Youth in Care program near you, review the list of partners and connect directly with one of the participating partners.
For more information on available funding for Youth in Care, check out A guide to: Scholarships, bursaries, tuition waivers and awards for Children in and from Government Care in BC.
Learn more about Housing Supports for Young Adults
The Ministry of Children and Family Development is working to improve housing supports for young adults. We want youth transitioning to adulthood to have the supports, tools and relationship-based networks they need to thrive.
Stay up to date with important changes to Temporary Housing and Support Agreements and learn more about MCFD's Rent Supplement program where eligible young adults (aged 19-26) may apply for a $600-a-month rent supplement for up to 2 years. To learn visit SAJE Housing Supports - Province of British Columbia (gov.bc.ca)
Important Updates and Information
Support for Youth in Care extended for another year
Youth and young adults set to transition from government care will be able to stay in their living arrangements for up to one additional year as the Province extends COVID-19 emergency measures.
All youth who are set to transition into adulthood at age 19 will continue to receive housing and financial support past their 19th birthday, until March 31, 2022. This means youth who are currently living in foster care, contracted residential agencies or with relatives through an out-of-care arrangement, such as through the extended family program, will be able to stay in their placements, and youth on Independent Living Agreements and Youth Agreements will continue to receive financial support.
The Youth Advisory Council (YAC) is a group of empowered youth who use their lived experience with the government care system to improve the quality of care for BC children and youth. The Council is made up of 18 to 24 members from across the province between the ages of 17 to 29, who are either former or current youth in care. The YAC provides recommendations to government about services and policies affecting children, youth, and families in BC Members consult with the Ministry of Children and Family Development and other government ministries , as well as organizations. Members also decide on projects to work on during their time with the YAC. This is an opportunity to meet and interact with other youth in and from care and advise on policy to help future youth.
Deadline to apply is March 31. For more information, email mcf.yac@gov.bc.ca
Join the VIU Tuition Waiver Program Facebook Group to get access to up-to-date resources, services, and supports on and off campus, including fun events.