Other funding
Depending on your studies or situation, there may be additional sources of funding available for your education.
Adult Upgrading Grant (AUG)
Adult Upgrading Grant Eligibility
The Adult Upgrading Grant (AUG) is a provincial government grant that you don't have to pay back.
If you are eligible for AUG, you could receive money to help pay for tuition and fees, supplies, transportation, unsubsidized child care and technology.
Students enrolled in any of the following programs are eligible and encouraged to apply:
- Upgrading, also known as Adult Basic Education (ABE)
- Adult Special Education (ASE)
- English Language (EL)
How to apply
- Download the pdf application form.
- Complete the form and email to upgradinggrants@okanagan.bc.ca.
- If you do not have a printer, this is a fillable PDF form that allows you to fill out the form electronically.
- Financial Awards will assess your application and will let you know if you qualify
Emergency funding
49ͼ 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:
- Be enrolled and attending an 49ͼ program;
- 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
- Please to complete the application.
- 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
- 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.).
- 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.
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Paper copies are still available. Please contact Financial Aid & Awards.
Criteria
The Indigenous Emergency Assistance Fund has been established by the Ministry of Advanced Education to assist Indigenous students in emergency situations causing unexpected financial hardships
To be considered for the Indigenous Emergency Assistance Fund, students must meet ALL of the following criteria:
- Be an Indigenous Student enrolled full-time or part-time in any program at 49ͼ;
- Demonstrate financial need;
- 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
- Contact the Indigenous Student Services Coordinator for your campus
- Please to complete the application.
- Attach any relevant documentation to the application that supports your request for emergency assistance (e.g. copy of medical prescription, eviction notice, utility disconnection notice, etc.)
- Once reviewed by the committee, you will be notified by email of a decision.
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Paper copies are still available. Please contact Financial Aid & Awards.
49ͼ and the 49ͼ Foundation are dedicated to supporting students who demonstrate a need for financial assistance to purchase technology required for online learning. 49ͼ has a limited amount of emergency funding to assist eligible students experiencing an unexpected financial hardship.
49ͼ may be able to provide you with funding to help pay for these costs. Applications are considered on a case-by-case basis.
Please note that this funding is intended to support students who do not have access to or do not own and laptop/computer needed for their online education. 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.
Eligibility Criteria
- Enrolled in a minimum of two classes, or in a full-time vocational program
- Have exhausted all other sources of financial assistance
- Require a laptop/computer for online learning
- Do not own or have access to a laptop or computer
- Demonstrate financial need
If you feel you meet the criteria above, please click the button below to complete the application.
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 49ͼ (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:
- 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;
- Must be fully registered and have started attending class;
- Must require an emergency loan due to circumstances beyond their control and have exhausted all other potential sources of assistance; and
- 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
- Please 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.
- 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
- Attach any relevant documentation to the application regarding what type of expenses the loan is for and the source of repayment.
- 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.
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Paper copies are still available. Please contact Financial Aid & Awards.
Youth in Care
How do I apply for the tuition waiver?
Complete the and email the completed form to financialaid@okanagan.bc.ca.
Am I eligible for a tuition waiver?
To be eligible for the , 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 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:
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:
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:
- Be an 49ͼ student attending on a Youth in Care Provincial tuition waiver
- Enrolled full-time or part-time in any program at 49ͼ
- Demonstrate financial need
- 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
- Please .
- 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
- Attach any relevant documentation to the application that supports your request for assistance (e.g. copy of book receipts, rent receipts, utility bills, etc.).
- Once reviewed by the committee, you will be notified by email of a decision.
- 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:
SAJE Resources:
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.
Visit for more information of other funding opportunities for former youth in care.
Other support and resources
Food Security Services
49ͼ provides short-term relief for students facing food insecurity and hardship. No student should ever have to choose between buying groceries and paying bills. For additional information, please select your campus:
Kelowna:
Vernon:
Penticton:
Salmon Arm:
Central Okanagan Food Bank
If you are struggling to make ends meet, you can register with the Central Okanagan Food Bank and get a food hamper once a month.
For program information and how to register, please click on the links below.