Official Guidelines Updated: March 2026

The B.C. Adult Upgrading Grant (AUG) is a provincial grant that helps low-income adults access adult education programs at public post-secondary institutions in British Columbia. Funded by the Ministry of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills and administered directly by each participating institution’s Financial Aid Office, the AUG supports students with the direct costs of attending Adult Basic Education (ABE), English as a Second Language (ESL), and Accessible Education and Training (AET) programs.

Unlike most student grants, the AUG is not administered through the StudentAid BC online application — it uses its own application form, assessed and approved at the institution level.

Eligibility Criteria

To qualify for the B.C. Adult Upgrading Grant, you must meet all of the following:

• Be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or protected person. Permanent residents must provide proof of status (e.g., PR card, Record of Landing, or Confirmation of Permanent Residence). Note that landed immigrants who entered Canada under Investor or Entrepreneur programs are not eligible.
• Be a resident of British Columbia and continue to reside in B.C. while receiving funding.
• Demonstrate financial need by completing an AUG application and providing income documentation. Your Gross Family Income (GFI) must fall below the threshold for your family size (see table below).
• Be enrolled in an eligible course or program at one of the 19 approved institutions (see list below). Programs must be Adult Basic Education, ESL, or Accessible Education and Training — not post-secondary credential programs.
• If you are already receiving a full-time Canada-B.C. Integrated Student Loan, you may only access the AUG if your total course load exceeds 100% (i.e., you are taking additional adult education courses on top of a full post-secondary load).

Income Thresholds

Your Gross Family Income (GFI) must be below the limit for your family size to qualify. GFI is based on income from employment, investments, businesses, and property — not just employment income. The primary income document is your most recent Notice of Assessment (NOA) from the CRA.

If your GFI equals or exceeds the limit for your family size, you do not qualify for the AUG under standard criteria. However, your Financial Aid Officer may consider an exception if your income has changed significantly in the past 12 months due to qualifying circumstances.

Eligible Institutions

The AUG is available at the following 19 B.C. public post-secondary institutions:

• British Columbia Institute of Technology
• Camosun College
• Capilano University
• College of New Caledonia
• College of the Rockies
• Coast Mountain College
• Douglas College
• Kwantlen Polytechnic University
• Langara College
• Native Education College
• Nicola Valley Institute of Technology
• North Island College
• Northern Lights College
• Okanagan College
• Selkirk College
• Thompson Rivers University
• University of the Fraser Valley
• Vancouver Community College
• Vancouver Island University

Students enrolled in Adult Education programs delivered through partnership agreements between one of these institutions and an Indigenous post-secondary institution, community organization, or not-for-profit organization may also be eligible, provided they are registered at the public institution and receiving credit there.

Eligible Programs

The AUG supports three types of Adult Education programs only — it does not cover post-secondary credential programs (certificates, diplomas, degrees, or apprenticeship trades credentials):

• Adult Basic Education (ABE) — tuition-free courses providing literacy, numeracy, academic skills, and career preparation to help adults access further education or employment.
• English as a Second Language (ESL) — tuition-free courses designed to build English competency for access to post-secondary education and the labour market.
• Accessible Education and Training (AET) — courses designed for individuals with cognitive disabilities or multiple barriers to learning, focusing on literacy, numeracy, life skills, and employment preparation. Tuition fees for AET programs are an allowable AUG cost.

Federal LINC (Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada) programs, continuing education, personal interest courses, and discovery programs are not eligible for AUG funding.

What Does the AUG Cover?

The AUG covers direct educational and barrier-reducing costs for eligible students. Your Financial Aid Officer reviews your individual circumstances when determining what costs apply. Eligible costs include:

• Tuition fees — for Accessible Education and Training programs (ABE and ESL are tuition-free, so tuition fees apply only to AET)
• Compulsory fees — including U-Pass, mandatory medical/dental fees, and other non-discretionary fees
• Books and course packs
• Supplies — including standard course materials and required special clothing such as hard hats, steel-toed boots, and lab coats
• Technology — up to $500 per student per year for a personal computer, software, and/or internet connectivity, where the student has a demonstrated need for access to technology to complete their coursework
• Transportation — where a U-Pass or bus pass is not available, the AUG covers travel to and from the program location on class days only, up to a maximum of $20 per week ($750 per year). Students with disabilities may be eligible for additional transportation funding with Ministry approval.
• Unsubsidized childcare — the portion of childcare costs not already covered by B.C.’s Affordable Child Care Benefit. Students must access the provincial benefit first before requesting childcare support through the AUG.

How Much Can You Get?

There is no fixed minimum or maximum AUG amount. The grant you receive depends on your assessed financial need, your family income, your family size, and the specific costs associated with your program. Other financial assistance you receive — including other grants, scholarships, loans, or federal programs — is also factored into the assessment.

Your Financial Aid Officer at your institution makes the final determination on your award amount.

Repeating a Course

If you are enrolled in an ABE, ESL, or AET program and you fail or withdraw from a course, you are eligible to receive AUG funding to repeat that course once. You cannot use AUG funding to re-enrol in a course you have already successfully completed, unless your department dean or director determines it is necessary for your continued academic progression.

How to Apply

The AUG uses a separate application form — it is not assessed through the standard StudentAid BC online application. To apply, download the current-year AUG application form from the StudentAid BC website (available after April 1 each year) and complete it in full. E-signatures are accepted.

You will need to provide income documentation for yourself and, depending on whether you are a dependent or independent student, potentially your parents or spouse. The primary income document is your most recent Notice of Assessment (NOA) from the CRA. If you cannot provide an NOA, your Financial Aid Officer can advise on acceptable alternatives.

Submit your completed, signed application directly to the Financial Aid Office at your institution before the last day of class — applications submitted after this date will not be accepted. If you are unable to pay your student fees while waiting for your application to be processed, ask your Financial Aid Office about a Tuition Fee Deferral form.

Other Financial Aid Options

If you don’t qualify for the AUG or need additional support, you may be able to access other programs including the B.C. Access Grant for Full-Time Students, Canada Student Grants, Canada Student Loans, Federal Student Scholarships, and Federal Student Bursaries.

Ready to find a program? Explore eligible schools today.