Official Guidelines Updated: March 2026
Key Facts for 2025–2026:
The B.C. Access Grant (Part-Time) provides up to $1,000 per year in non-repayable financial assistance to eligible part-time students at B.C. public post-secondary institutions. There is no separate application — you are automatically assessed when you apply for part-time student aid through StudentAid BC.
The B.C. Access Grant (Part-Time) is a non-repayable provincial grant that provides upfront financial support to low- and middle-income students studying part-time at B.C. public post-secondary institutions. Like its full-time counterpart, it is awarded based on financial need and family income — as family income increases, the grant amount decreases.
The grant can be applied to any eligible education-related costs, including tuition, books, and supplies. Students who do not qualify for the full amount may still receive a partial grant depending on where their family income falls within the threshold range.
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for the B.C. Access Grant (Part-Time), you must meet all of the following:
- Be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or protected person under Canada’s Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.
- Be a resident of British Columbia. Independent students must have lived in the province for at least 12 consecutive months before starting their program. For dependent students, at least one parent or guardian must have resided in B.C. for 12 months prior. Protected persons are exempt from the residency requirement.
- Have a valid Canadian Social Insurance Number (SIN).
- Be enrolled part-time in an undergraduate degree, diploma, or certificate program at a B.C. public post-secondary institution. Students in Master’s or PhD programs, or enrolled in unclassified studies, are not eligible.
- Apply and qualify for part-time StudentAid BC financial assistance.
- Have remaining financial need after federal funding has been awarded — the B.C. provincial grant is applied to any need not already covered by federal part-time grants.
- Maintain satisfactory academic progress in your program.
- Not have defaulted on previous student loans.
How Much Can You Get?
Eligible students can receive up to $1,000 per year in part-time grant funding. The exact amount depends on your family size and gross family income. Students whose income falls below the minimum threshold receive the maximum grant; as income rises, the grant amount decreases until it reaches the cut-off threshold, at which point no grant is awarded.
Income Thresholds
The table below shows the 2025–2026 income thresholds for the B.C. Access Grant (Part-Time). Family income is based on Line 15000 of your most recent tax return.
| Family Size (number of people) | Maximum Grant Gross family income below this amount qualifies for the maximum grant |
Grant Cut-Off Gross family income at or above this amount does not qualify |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $37,701 | $55,208 |
| 2 | $53,318 | $77,543 |
| 3 | $65,302 | $93,455 |
| 4 | $75,405 | $104,748 |
| 5 | $84,304 | $114,941 |
| 6 | $92,351 | $124,402 |
| 7+ | $99,751 | $132,820 |
Pro Tip:
If your family income falls between the maximum grant threshold and the cut-off threshold, you may still receive a partial grant — the amount scales down gradually rather than stopping abruptly. It is worth applying for part-time student aid even if you are not sure you qualify.
How to Apply
There is no separate application for the B.C. Access Grant (Part-Time). You are automatically assessed for this grant when you apply for part-time student financial assistance through StudentAid BC.
To apply for part-time student aid, you will need a BC Services Card to access the StudentAid BC system. First-time users will need to verify their identity through Services BC via a video call or in-person appointment before their card can be activated. Once set up, you can log in to your StudentAid BC account and complete the part-time student aid application online.
When completing your application, have the following ready: your Social Insurance Number, the name and details of your post-secondary program, your enrollment confirmation from your institution, and your family income information from your most recent tax return (Line 15000). StudentAid BC will automatically determine your eligibility for the B.C. Access Grant as part of your overall assessment.
StudentAid BC recommends submitting your application at least six weeks before your study period ends to ensure your application can be processed in time.
How the Grant Is Paid
If approved, your grant is paid by Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) through the National Student Loans Service Centre:
- If your study period is 17 weeks or less, you receive 100% of your funding at the start of your study period.
- If your study period is longer than 17 weeks, you receive 50% at the start and 50% at the midpoint of your study period.
Other Financial Aid Options
If you don’t qualify for the B.C. Access Grant for Part-Time Students, or want to explore additional support, the following programs may be available:
- B.C. Adult Upgrading Grant — non-repayable support for students in adult basic education, ESL, and academic upgrading programs
- B.C. Access Grant for Students with Disabilities — additional support for students with a permanent or prolonged disability
- Canada Student Grant for Part-Time Studies — federal non-repayable grant of up to $2,520 per year, automatically assessed through your part-time student aid application
- Canada Student Loans — permanently interest-free federal loans available to eligible part-time students
Ready to find a program? Explore eligible schools today.
