Financial Aid

Tuition costs in Greater Vancouver are relatively low and tend not to vary a lot from one school to another.

Financial Aid

More than $450 million ($377.5 million US) will be awarded to students during the next three years, says a spokesperson for the Ministry of Advanced Education, all to ensure finances do not act as barriers to quality education. This money gives students a number of options, including several grants:

• Canada Student Grants - Financial need-based grants for students with permanent disabilities, part-time students, students with dependents, low-income familes, and middle-income familes.
• B.C. Access Grant for Full-time Students with Permanent Disabilities – A grant for students with permanent disabilities of up to $1,000 per year that displaces B.C. student loan funding.
• Adult Basic Education Student Assistance Program - This provincial program provides grant funding to adults enrolled in adult basic education, adult special education and intermediate English as a Second language courses.
• The Nurses Education Bursary Program - This provincial program awards up to $1 million in bursary funding a year to nurses and nursing students.
• Youth Educational Assistance Fund (YEAF) for former youth in care - The Youth Educational Assistance Fund (YEAF) provides grants for former B.C. youth in care between 19 and 23 years of age who are taking post-secondary level courses at a designated post-secondary institution.

Loan options include:

• Canada Student Loan - Federally-subsidized loan of up to 60% of total funding
• Part-time Canada Student Loans - Federally-subsidized loan for part-time students who show financial need.
• British Columbia Student Loan - Provincially-subsidized loan for British Columbia students (must meet the criteria for a Canada Student Loan)

Applications for loans and grants can be completed online through the British Columbia Student Assistance Program. Forms can also be downloaded from the Ministry of Advanced Education. Students from other provinces must apply directly to their home province for assistance.

Students from the United States planning on attending school in Vancouver can apply for aid via the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA.

See more information on scholarships in Vancouver