Financial Aid and Awards

Okanagan College has a limited amount of emergency funding to assist eligible students experiencing an unexpected financial hardship. The funding is for students who are progressing in their program and demonstrate that they need financial assistance to complete their study period.

As emergency bursary funds are limited, preference will be given to those students who demonstrate that they have exhausted all other sources of financial assistance, including government student assistance.

The funding is for immediate living and educational expenses (except for paying tuition and fees).

Eligibility Requirements

To be considered for an emergency bursary, students must meet ALL of the following criteria:

1. Be enrolled and attending an Okanagan College program;
2. Be in good standing, attending class on a regular basis and progressing satisfactorily. Exceptional circumstances that prevent students from being in good standing or attending will be considered on a case by case basis.

Procedures

1. Please click here to complete the application.
2. If you require assistance completing the application, you can make a virtual appointment with a Financial Awards Assistant by contacting the Financial Aid & Awards department. Hours of operation are 8:30 am – 4:30 pm. Summer hours of operation are 8:00 am – 4:00 pm. Telephone: (250) 862-5419 Toll-free (in BC): 1-800-767-5492
3. Attach any relevant documentation to the application which supports your request for an emergency bursary (e.g. copy of medical prescription, eviction notice, utility disconnection notice….etc.).
4. If your request for an emergency bursary is approved, a cheque will be available for pick-up at a predetermined time from the Student Services Office at the Kelowna Campus, or the campus administration office in Penticton, Vernon or Salmon Arm Campus. Photo ID is required to pick up the cheque.

5. Paper copies are still available.  Please contact Financial Aid & Awards.

Students who are temporarily short on funds for reasons beyond their control may be eligible for a small, short-term emergency loan. Emergency loans may be considered for items essential to attendance at Okanagan College (e.g. books, supplies, rent, food).

Please Note

• Emergency loans are NOT given for payment of tuition and/or fees
• Emergency loans are NOT given at the end of a term/study period as an “advance” on monies anticipated in the following study period
• Emergency loans are NOT considered for students who are at the end of their study period

Basic Requirements

To be considered for an emergency loan, students:

1. Must have paid their tuition and fees in full OR be approved for a government student loan. Emergency loans are not given for payment of tuition and/or fees;
2. Must be fully registered and have started attending class;
3. Must require an emergency loan due to circumstances beyond their control and have exhausted all other potential sources of assistance; and
4. Must be prepared to provide an explanation as to why they are short of funds, what efforts have been made to secure other sources of funds, what expenses will be paid with the loan, and the method/source of repayment. Proof of repayment may be required if repayment will be from a source other than an expected government student loan and/or grant.

Procedures

1. Please click here to complete the application. If requesting an emergency loan for textbooks, you must attach a complete list of required books and prices, including HST. The bookstore will provide you with a printout.
2. If you require assistance completing the application, you can make a virtual appointment with a Financial Awards Assistant by contacting the Financial Aid & Awards department. Hours of operation are 8:30 am – 4:30 pm. Summer hours of operation are 8:00 am – 4:00 pm. Telephone: (250) 862-5419 Toll-free (in BC): 1-800-767-5492
3. Attach any relevant documentation to the application regarding what type of expenses the loan is for and the source of repayment.
4. If your request for an emergency loan is approved, a cheque will be available for pick-up at a predetermined time from the Student Services Office at the Kelowna Campus, or the campus administration office in Penticton, Vernon or Salmon Arm Campus. Photo ID is required to pick up the cheque.

5. Paper copies are still available.  Please contact Financial Aid & Awards.

Complete the Former Youth in Care consent form and email the completed form to financialaid@okanagan.bc.ca.

Am I eligible for a tuition waiver?

To be eligible for the Provincial Tuition Waiver Program, students must be:

• Studying full-time or part-time at the undergraduate level at a B.C. public post-secondary institution; the Native Education College or an approved union-based trades training provider;
• Adopted through the B.C. Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD) or Indigenous Child and Family Service Agency (ICFSA); 
• OR, formerly in the B.C. Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction Child in Home of Relative Program;
• OR, formerly in any B.C. MCFD or ICFSA Legal Status (either while living in B.C. or while placed by MCFD or ICFSA on an Interprovincial Placement Agreement (IPPA) at the time you turn(ed) 19 or for at least 24 months (730 days) (consecutive or accumulated in any combination).

If you meet the criteria above, please follow the "How do I apply for the tuition waiver" instructions above to apply.

Are there any other funding programs for Former Youth in Care students?

The Learning for Future Grant (LFG) provides an annual grant of $3,500 per program year to students who meet the eligibility requirements for the Provincial Tuition Waiver Program to assist with additional education-related costs that are not covered by the Provincial Tuition Waiver Program (e.g. textbooks, computers, supplies, etc.).

For more information on programs for Former Youth in Care, check out the following video:  Programs for Former Youth in Care - YouTube

Any student previously approved for either the Provincial Tuition Waiver Program and/or the Learning for Future Grant who has not yet received the Learning for Future Grant for the current program year (August 1st - July 31st) must complete the following declaration:  Learning for Future Grant Declaration form (studentaidbc.ca)

For assistance with Former Youth in Care resources, please contact:

Chantal MacLean, Former Youth in Care Support Navigator

Email:  cmaclean@okanagan.bc.ca

Telephone:  (250) 762-5445 ext. 6714  

The Youth Futures Education Fund has been established by the Vancouver Foundation to provide a grant to recipients of the Former Youth in Care Provincial Tuition Waiver, to assist with supplemental educational funding for expenses such as books, housing, utilities, or emergency situations.

Criteria

To be considered for the Youth Futures Education Fund, students must meet ALL of the following criteria:

1. Be an Okanagan College student attending on a Youth in Care Provincial tuition waiver
2. Enrolled full-time or part-time in any program at Okanagan College
3. Demonstrate financial need
4. Be in good standing, attending class on a regular basis and progressing satisfactorily. Exceptional circumstances that prevent students from being in good standing or attending will be considered on a case by case basis

Procedures

1. Please complete the online application.
2. If you require assistance completing the application, you can make a virtual appointment with Chantal MacLean, Former Youth in Care Support Navigator. Hours of operation are 8:00 am – 4:00 pm. Telephone: (250) 762-5445 ext. 6714. Toll-free (in BC): 1-800-767-5492
3. Attach any relevant documentation to the application that supports your request for assistance (e.g. copy of book receipts, rent receipts, utility bills, etc.).
4. Once reviewed by the committee, you will be notified by email of a decision.
5. Paper copies are still available.  Please contact Financial Aid & Awards.

Youth and young adults who have been in government care in British Columbia can access supports and services available to them as they transition from care - the Strengthening Abilities and Journeys of Empowerment (SAJE) program.  More information can be found here:  https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/family-social-supports/youth-and-family-services/youth-transitions

SAJE Resources:

• SAJE Benefits and Supports
• Working with a SAJE Guide or Navigator
• Life-skills, Training and Cultural Connections Funding FAQ
• SAJE Mental Health and Counselling Benefit FAQ

SAJE Contact Information:

Youth and young adults can contact a SAJE Guide, an MCFD Worker, an ICSFA Worker or MCFD's SAJE Provincial Support Services (SPSS) at 1-866-623-3001 or email MCF.SAJE@gov.bc.ca.

If you've been in foster care or had a Youth Agreement, you may qualify for the Agreements with a Young Adult (AYA) program to help cover the cost of things like housing, childcare, tuition and health care while you go to school or do job training, or attend rehabilitation, mental health or life skills program.  

Visit agedout.com for more information of other funding opportunities for former youth in care.