StudentAid BC: Student Loans and Grants

VCC students can access student loans through StudentAid BC. Designed to help B.C. residents overcome financial barriers to post-secondary education, it is a partnership between the provincial and federal governments, who cover interest payments during your time of study.

There are three types of loans available to students in B.C.: British Columbia student loans, Canada student loans and part-time Canada student loans. B.C. student loans are provided by the provincial government. Canada student loans are provided by the federal government. These are all administered through StudentAid BC, as are Canada study grants, Canada access grants.

A basic principle of StudentAid BC is that the primary responsibility for the funding of post-secondary education rests with students and their immediate families. While the federal and provincial governments cover interest on student loans during full-time studies, student loans must be repaid.

After the assessment of your application, you will receive a Notification of Award by mail at the address on your application. This notification advises you of the amount you may receive. You may also find out this information by calling 604-660-2610 (free if calling from the Lower Mainland).

Get more information or apply online at www.studentaidbc.ca

Interest-Free Status

Do you need to maintain your interest-free status on your student loan? If you are still studying full-time but are no longer receiving funding through StudentAid BC, you need to apply for interest-free status to delay paying back your student loan. Login on to www.studentaidbc.ca and on the left hand side under "Resources" click on the "Apply for Interest-Free Status Online" link and start your application.

Part-time Students

The Financial Aid Program for Part-time Studies has loan and grant funding available to students attending post-secondary studies part-time.