Loans & grants process

Full-time student funding 

• To receive student financial assistance through StudentAid BC, you must be a resident of BC.
• For more information, go to the BC Residency Requirement page.
• Available for education and living expenses.

Step 1: Before you apply

Ensure you meet the eligibility requirements::

• You must be registered in at least 60% course load (9 credits) not including repeat or upgrading courses
• Or 40% course load (6 credits) for students with an approved permanent disability status with StudentAid BC

Note:

If you are registering in a course you have previously received a passing grade for, you will need to submit a repeat course form to SABC and get SABC's permission to repeat the course.

Step 2: Where to apply?

Applications are submitted through the Student Aid BC (SABC)Portal. Grants are assessed automatically at the time of loan processing by SABC.

Disclaimer:

Full-time students cannot apply for only a grant.

Step 3: How to apply?

1. Visit StudentAidBC for instructions on how to apply for a Full-Time loan.

2. You must apply for a loan every semester. The program you are registered in at Douglas must match the one you enter on your loan application.

• Check myAccount to confirm the program you are in for the appropriate semester.
• Select the same program from the drop down menu on the loan application.

3. Once your application is processed by SABC, a Notice of Assessment (NOA)  will be posted to your SABC Dashboard, within 6 weeks.

• If it's your first time receiving funding or you have not received a loan/grant funding in over two years, you must complete a Master Student Financial Assistance Agreement (MSFAA). Follow the instructions in your SABC portal on how to submit the MSFAA.
• Once received, SABC will request Douglas College to confirm your full-time enrolment.

4. Confirmation of Enrolment:

• Douglas College will confirm your enrolment electronically close to the start date of classes.
• You must meet all eligibility requirements for confirmation.

5. Disbursement of Funds:

• After your MSFAA has been completed and processed and your enrolment is confirmed, your funds will be released.  
• Funds are sent after the confirmation of enrolment is completed and it may take 7 - 10 business days to arrive.
• Find more details here: https://studentaidbc.ca/apply/receive#full-time

Step 4: How to pay the Tuition with Loans and Grants?

The tuition amount will be paid directly to Douglas College and the remainder of your approved funds will be sent to your bank account or,  for some grants, through a cheque in the mail.

• To confirm that Douglas College has received payment, check your myAccount > Registration > View and Pay Tuition Fees.

Part-time student funding

New for Winter 2025 applications: 

StudentAid BC (SABC) launched a new student account and online application for part-time students on November 28, 2024.

Paper part-time applications are no longer available/accepted.

Application instructions

To apply for B.C. and Canada student financial aid as a part-time student, follow the steps below:

• To create your Student Account, you must first set up a BC Services Card account as your digital ID. During the setup, you will need to verify your identity. Go to the Student Account for part-time students and click the "Log in/Register" button and it will guide you through the process. Download and set up a BC Services Card App. 

• Complete and submit your online application through the Student Account for part-time students. To submit your application, you will need to read and accept the terms and conditions of the StudentAid BC Declaration and the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) Consent for income verification.

  Start your part-time application now
   
• If you are a student with a disability, learn how to apply for part-time student funding for students with disabilities.

More information regarding part-time applications is available on SABC's site: https://studentaidbc.ca/apply/how-to-apply#part-time 

Before you apply for part-time funding:

• Ensure you meet SABC's part-time funding eligibility requirements
• Your funding is determined by your course load 
  • Part-time status is defined as registering in 3 to 8.5 credits per semester.
  • Finalize your course load (number of credits) before submitting your Part-Time Studies Application
  • Changes in registration will require a reassessment, which may delay your funding. 
• Fee deferrals are only granted to students who submit their part-time application through SABC or show proof of successful submission to Enrolment Services before the first fee payment deadline. Therefore, please plan ahead.
• Person With Disability Status: If you have designated Disability status with Student Aid BC, and will register in 6-8.5 credits, consider applying for Full-time funding instead as Part-time loans do not cover living expenses.

Note:

1. Part-time funding does not cover living costs but allows for tuition, books, supplies, transportation and child care. 
2. Once we complete your confirmation of enrolment you will no longer be eligible to apply for full-time loans for the same semester. It is advisable to only submit a part-time student loan application, if you plan to remain in a part-time course load.

Family income

To be eligible for federal part-time grants and loans, your total family income for the program year must be below the amounts shown on the following table:

Family Income Eligibility Thresholds for the 2024/25 Program Year

Application deadlines

The latest you can apply for part-time student loans is 6 weeks before your study period ends.

How Loans and Grants are applied to tuition

The tuition amount will be paid directly to Douglas College and the remainder of your approved funds will be sent to your bank account or through a cheque in the mail for some grants

• To confirm that Douglas College has received payment, check your myAccount > Registration > View and Pay Tuition Fees.

Have questions about your application? See our Financial Aid FAQs.

Out-of-Province Loans and Grants

If you live outside of BC, you must apply for assistance through your home province.

You must apply for a loan every semester.

The related website for each province and territory are listed below. Please read the details carefully because it is your responsibility to understand how your home province/territory operates.

Links to financial aid outside of BC:

• Alberta
• Manitoba
• New Brunswick
• Newfoundland & Labrador
• Northwest Territories
• Nova Scotia
• Ontario
• Prince Edward Island
• Quebec
• Saskatchewan
• Yukon

See our Fee deferrals page for Out-of-Province applicants.