StudentAidBC is British Columbia's provincial student financial assistance program. If you're a BC resident attending a post-secondary institution, StudentAidBC is your gateway to both federal Canada Student Loans and provincial BC student loans and grants.
BC has been a leader in student financial aid improvements in recent years — eliminating provincial loan interest in 2019 and introducing the BC Access Grant to provide substantial upfront grant funding for lower- and middle-income students.
StudentAidBC is administered by the BC Ministry of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills. Applications are submitted through the StudentAidBC portal at studentaidbc.ca. The provincial and federal portions of your award are delivered together, but managed separately in repayment.
To qualify for StudentAidBC, you generally need to:
The BC Access Grant is one of the most significant improvements to BC student aid in recent years. Introduced in 2020, it provides upfront, non-repayable grant funding to students from lower- and middle-income families.
For the 2024-25 award year:
The BC Access Grant stacks on top of federal Canada Student Grants, meaning BC students from lower-income families can receive substantial combined grant funding — potentially $6,000–$8,000+ per year in non-repayable aid.
BC student loans cover your assessed financial need beyond what grants provide. The weekly maximum for full-time BC students is set annually. For 2024-25, combined federal and provincial loans can reach approximately $15,000–$20,000 per year for students with high assessed need.
Your actual amount depends on:
Apply online at studentaidbc.ca. The application opens in spring for the following fall semester. Steps:
Since February 19, 2019, BC provincial student loans carry zero interest during repayment. Combined with the federal interest elimination in 2023, BC graduates now repay exactly what they borrowed — no interest on either federal or provincial portions.
This is a significant advantage compared to most other provinces, where provincial loans still accrue interest. A BC graduate with $30,000 in loans saves thousands of dollars over a 10-year repayment compared to a graduate in a province with provincial loan interest.
Repayment starts 6 months after you leave full-time school. Both the federal and BC portions are managed through the National Student Loans Service Centre (NSLSC) at nslsc.canada.ca.
Standard repayment is over 10 years. If you can't afford payments, apply for the federal Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP). BC also has its own provincial repayment assistance provisions that mirror the federal RAP structure.
StudentAidBC isn't just for university students. Students enrolled in designated trades programs, vocational programs, and apprenticeships at BC colleges and institutes are also eligible. This includes programs at institutions like BCIT, BCCAT colleges, and designated private training institutions.
Trades students often have shorter programs (under 2 years), which affects how their aid is calculated — but they are absolutely eligible and should apply.
Indigenous students in BC have access to additional funding streams beyond StudentAidBC:
Indigenous students should explore all available streams, as band-administered funding may be available that covers costs above and beyond what StudentAidBC provides.
If you previously received BC student aid and want to return to school after working for several years, you can reapply. If you're 22 or older and have been out of high school for 4+ years, you'll likely qualify as an independent student and your own income (rather than parental income) will be used in the assessment.
KOHO offers a free account with no monthly fees — perfect for students on tight budgets. No minimum balance, no hidden charges, and you can start building your credit history. Use code 45ET55JSYA when you sign up for a bonus.
Open KOHO Free — No Fees — Code 45ET55JSYAYes. As long as your home province is BC (you or your parents are BC residents), you can receive StudentAidBC funding even if you attend school in another province or territory.
If you are a dependent student but your parents refuse to provide income information, there is a process to apply for an independent student reassessment. Contact StudentAidBC directly for guidance on this situation.
If you are in a common-law relationship (living together for 12+ months), you may qualify as an independent student. Your partner's income may be factored into your assessment if it is above a certain threshold.