B.C.Youth in Care

B.C. Youth in Care Funding

Provincial Tuition Waiver for former B.C. Youth in Care

Introduced in September 2017, the Provincial Tuition Waiver Program (PTWP) was introduced to improve access, services and educational outcomes for former youth in care by waiving tuition fees.

Starting August 1st, 2023, the program has expanded to 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.

Tuition and fees will be waived for former youth in care of any age attending a post-secondary undergraduate credential at a B.C. public post-secondary institution and who meet specific criteria. Visit StudentAid BC  ‌for more information on the supports available or contact our offices directly. AGEDOUT  is also a great resource for information about programs for Former Youth in Care.

To apply for the waiver and determine if you qualify, visit www.StudentAidBC.ca  and download, complete the ‌Provincial Tuition Waiver Program and Learning for Future Grant Application form. Submit your completed form to UFV Financial Aid & Awards, or email a scanned copy (pdf format, no photos) to finaid@ufv.ca . 

For more information visit gov.bc.ca/tuitionwaiver or StudentAid BC.

Note: If you have previously been approved for a waiver at UFV and intend to register, please complete a B.C. Provincial Tuition Waiver Registration Notification form. Download and save the form to complete and submit by email to finaid@ufv.ca  or print and submit.

Youth Futures Education Fund held at Vancouver Foundation

Available to Provincial Youth in Care tuition waiver recipients to support educational related expenses each semester. Students must complete a ‌ application and submit to UFV Financial Aid & Awards for assessment. This fund is available once each semester. Contact Financial Aid & Awards for full details.

Learning for Future Grant

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. Visit Learning for Future Grant and contact Financial Aid & Awards for full details.

Youth Educational Assistance Fund for Former Youth in Care

Students who applied for YEAF by July 31, 2023, and were approved, are eligible to receive the YEAF grant amount through the YEAF Transition Plan for the duration of their initial program of study, the 4-year maximum or until they turn 25, whichever comes first. This includes students who were previously approved for YEAF in a program or post-secondary institution that is not eligible for the Learning for Future Grant. Students who are eligible for both the YEAF Transition Plan and the Learning for Future Grant may not receive both YEAF and the Learning for Future Grant in the same program year.

Note this grant is being phased out for the new Learning for Future Grant

The Federation of BC Youth in Care Network

The Federation of BC Youth in Care Network (FBCYICN) is a youth-driven, provincial, non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of young people in and from government care in BC, between ages 14 and 24. The FBCYICN's Dream Fund supports young people in and from care to pursue their careers and achieve their goals through education and skill building. The Dream Fund includes two different bursaries that are distriubted three times a year: in October, March and July. Visit FBCYICN Dream Fund for details.

The Federation of Community Social Services of BC

The Federation of Community Social Services of BC (FCSSBC) offers the Youth Education Bursary which assists young people that are or have been in care and want to pursue a career in the field of Human and Social Services. Visit FCSSBC Youth Education Bursary for details.

Adoptive Families Association of BC

The Howard Legacy Youth Fund (HLYF) is available to current or former youth in care between the ages of 17 and 26. Applicants must have been in care for a minimum of 12 months and be a current BC resident. Visit Adoptive Families Association of BC for details.

Visit AGEDOUT for more information about programs for Former Youth in Care, as well as a complete list of bursaries, scholarships and grants funded specifically for young people that are or have been in care in BC.

For more information

Contact UFV Financial Aid & Awards to discuss your funding options or book an appointment with a Financial Aid advisor.

Abbotsford campus

Telephone: (604) 864-4601 | 604-504-7441 x4601
Toll Free (Canada): 1-888-504-7441 x4601