Discover Funding Opportunities

Learning for Future Grant

The Learning for Future Grant is a financial assistance program offered by StudentAid BC to support students who were formerly in government care. The grant provides $3,500 annually (per program year from August 1 to July 31) to help cover education-related costs not covered by the Provincial Tuition Waiver Program, such as textbooks, computers, and supplies. To be eligible, students must meet all eligibility criteria for the Provincial Tuition Waiver Program and be enrolled in a program or course below graduate level that leads to a credential (citation, certificate, diploma or degree). Each study period must be a minimum of 6 weeks or 35 tuition hours in duration. First-time applicants must submit an application through their institution's Financial Aid Office to StudentAid BC, while returning students need only submit an annual Declaration form.

Canada Student Grant for Students with Disabilities

This program helps full-time or part-time students with a permanent disability, or a persistent or prolonged disability with the cost of education. The grant provides financial assistance to eligible students enrolled at designated post-secondary institutions in Canada. Students who qualify for a federal student loan and have verified their disability status with StudentAid BC are automatically assessed for this grant without needing to submit a separate application. The grant amount is temporarily increased by 40% from pre-pandemic levels until July 31, 2026.

Canada Student Grant for Services and Equipment – Students with Disabilities

This program helps full-time or part-time students with a permanent disability, or a persistent or prolonged disability pay for exceptional education related costs for services and equipment. The grant covers services and equipment such as notetakers, tutors, interpreters, and technical aids that support students with disabilities in their post-secondary studies. To be eligible, students must qualify for a federal student loan, be enrolled in full-time or part-time studies at a designated post-secondary institution, have a permanent disability or persistent/prolonged disability as defined by the Canada Student Financial Assistance Program, and have exceptional education related costs for services or equipment due to their disability. Students apply by contacting the accessibility services office at their school, who will help determine which services and/or equipment will assist in their post-secondary studies. If the disability has not yet been verified by StudentAid BC, students must complete the Appendix 8 – Disability Programs Application form.

Canada Student Grant for Part-Time Studies

This program provides extra help to low-income part-time students pursuing post-secondary education in Canada. The grant offers financial assistance to eligible students who are enrolled in part-time studies at a designated post-secondary institution. The grant amount has been temporarily increased by 40% from 2019/20 pre-pandemic levels until July 31, 2026. Students are automatically assessed for this grant when they complete the part-time studies application through StudentAid BC.

Canada Student Grant for Part-Time Students with Dependants

This program helps part-time students with dependants with the cost of education. Students studying part-time who qualify for this grant and who have up to two children under 12 years of age may be eligible for up to $56 per week of study. Students studying part-time with three or more dependent children may be eligible for $84 per week of study. You could receive up to $2,688 each school year (August 1 to July 31). You can get this grant for each year of your studies (including undergraduate and graduate levels) as long as you still qualify. The amount of the grant will not exceed your assessed need. The Canada Student Grant amounts are temporarily increased by 40% from 2019/20 pre-pandemic levels until July 31, 2026.

B.C. Supplemental Bursary for Students with Disabilities

The B.C. Supplemental Bursary for Students with Disabilities provides financial support to post-secondary students in British Columbia who have a permanent, persistent, or prolonged disability. The bursary offers $800 per program year for students studying at a course load of 40% or greater, or $400 per program year for those studying at a course load of 20% to 39%. To qualify, students must be eligible for the Canada Student Grant for Students with Disabilities and be enrolled in a designated public or private post-secondary institution taking post-secondary level courses. The bursary is automatically assessed for students who have previously submitted verification of their disability to StudentAid BC. Students who have not yet verified their disability status must complete the Appendix 8 – Disability Programs Application form. This bursary is designed to supplement other disability-related financial assistance and help reduce financial barriers for students with disabilities pursuing higher education.

B.C. Access Grant for Students with Disabilities

This grant program helps full-time students with a permanent disability, or a persistent or prolonged disability with the cost of education. The grant replaces up to $1,560 ($30 per week of study) per program year in B.C. student loan funding, effectively converting loan amounts to non-repayable grant funding. Students who have previously submitted verification of their disability to StudentAid BC are assessed automatically for this grant. New applicants with qualifying disabilities must complete the Appendix 8 Disability Programs Application Form to verify their eligibility.

Adult Upgrading Grant

The Adult Upgrading Grant is a financial assistance program offered by StudentAid BC that helps adults demonstrating financial need who are enrolled in skills upgrading, education and training courses at public post-secondary institutions in British Columbia. This grant helps with costs related to fees, books, supplies, transportation, and unsubsidized childcare. It also supports the cost of tuition for Adult Special Education programs. Eligible applicants must be adults attending a public post-secondary institution in B.C. and enrolled in skills upgrading or education and training courses such as Adult basic education, Adult special education, or English as a second language. The program is administered through approved B.C. public post-secondary institutions, and applicants must submit their completed application forms to the Financial Aid Office at their institution.

The Rob George Foundation Grant

The Rob George Foundation provides support to young people in two distinct areas. First, it offers practical and/or financial support to young people with life threatening or terminal illnesses who find themselves struggling to access financial assistance during their treatment. The Foundation was established in memory of Rob George, who died aged 21 following a battle with leukaemia and experienced frustration with the process of seeking financial support during his illness. Second, the Foundation provides financial support to young people who demonstrate exceptional commitment and/or ability in the worlds of sport or the performing arts but may be held back by their financial situation from pursuing their goals. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis throughout the year. The Foundation operates in partnership with Essex Community Foundation and accepts applications from young people within specific geographical areas in the UK: Essex, Suffolk, Norfolk, Cambridgeshire, Hertfordshire, and any London Borough. The Foundation aims to make a difference one individual at a time by removing financial barriers that prevent young people from pursuing their goals or accessing support during serious illness.

Kindred Grants

The Kindred Grants programme provides financial, emotional, and practical support to descendants of Henry Smith's sister, Joane. When Henry Smith died in 1628, his Will included a legacy to help members of his family (his 'Kindred') in financial need. Today, more than 4,500 people are registered as Kindred, and the Foundation awarded 472 grants to 223 people in 2024. The programme offers a range of help including low income support for adults on low incomes (retired or working), one-off costs for essential household items like replacing a washing machine, and financial assistance for students taking their first degree at a UK university. Financial assistance is mainly for those with low incomes and is tailored to individual circumstances. The programme also includes a free, confidential helpline open to all Kindred regardless of income, providing support for mental and physical health, financial advice, personal issues, befriending, counselling services, and legal advice. The Foundation works with partners including Charis for streamlined support delivery, The OT Practice for occupational therapy assessments, and Pennysmart for money and debt advice.