Former Youth in Care

As a former youth in care student, you are eligible for the following awards. Here’s a full financial guide to post-secondary for former youth in care students.

As defined by the Child, Family and Community Service Act, a youth in care is someone who is currently, or has received care from the Ministry of Children and Family Development or a Delegated Aboriginal Agency (DAA) through the Child, Family and Community Service Act for a minimum of twelve months (consecutive or accumulated) in any, or a combination, of the following categories:

Continuing Custody Order pursuant to sections 41 (1) (d), 42.2 (4) (d) or (7) or 49 (4), (5) or 10 (a) of the Act

  • A protection order in which the court has assigned permanent custody of the child to the Director of Child Welfare (the Director).

Temporary Custody Order

  • A protection order in which the court has assigned custody of the child to the Director on a temporary basis.

Special Needs Agreement pursuant to section 7 of the Act

  • A parent of a child with special needs may voluntarily and temporarily agree to place the child in the care of the Director.

Voluntary Care Agreement pursuant to section 6 of the Act

  • A parent voluntarily and temporarily places the child in the care of the Director

Youth Agreement pursuant to section 12.2 of the Act

  • The Director enters into an agreement with a youth (ages 16 – 19) who needs assistance to live independently and cannot be re-established with family.

Extended Family Plan pursuant to section 8 of the Act

  • A parent voluntarily and temporarily places the child in the care of an adult who has an established familial, relational, or cultural connection to the child.

Permanent Transfer of Custody Order pursuant to section 54.01 or 54.1 of the Act

  • An order in which the court permanently transfers custody to another (non-parent) family member or another adult with an established relational or cultural connection to the child.

Temporary Transfer of Custody pursuant to section 41(1)(b) of the Act

  • A protection order in which the court temporarily places the child in the custody of an adult, other than a parent, who has an established familial, relational, or cultural connection to the child.

Prospective former youth in care students are eligible to receive an application fee waiver code, this means you do not need to pay for the application fee when you apply on B.C. Education Planner. Please connect with the Student Support Navigator directly to receive your application fee waiver code. 

Self-referrals and referrals are welcome from social workers, youth workers, support workers and educational professionals.

Note: Douglas College does not issue application refunds so if you had already paid for your application fee, we cannot refund you.

If you are 19-26 years old and have been in B.C. care for 2 years, your tuition and student fees can be paid for by the B.C. government through the Provincial Tuition Waiver Program (PTWP).

For more information and full eligibility criteria, visit the Provincial Tuition Waiver Program.

Steps To Apply:

  1. Apply for admission to Douglas College on B.C. Education Planner
  2. Download and complete the online Provincial Tuition Waiver Program Application Form.
  3. Email your completed application to studentsuccess@douglascollege.ca
  4. Within 6 weeks after processing, you will receive an email about your approval or denial into the program.

If you need support with your application or have any questions, contact the Student Support Navigator directly.

The YEAF program provides up to $5,500 per program year for 4 years to youth who have been in a continuing custody order (COO). Eligible students need to be between 19-24 years of age. This grant can be used for living expenses, phone bills, childcare, textbooks, and more.  

For more information and full eligibility criteria, visit the Youth Educational Assistance Fund

Steps to Apply for First Time Applications:

  1. Download and complete the online Youth Educational Assistance Fund application.
  2. If you do not have a StudentAid B.C. application number, you need to download and complete the Confirmation of Enrolment letter. After you complete this form, please send it to ssnavigator@douglascollege.ca The financial aid department will fill out their necessary section and send it back to you.
  3. You must also submit an original signed letter from any Ministry of Children and Family Development office (MCFD) or delegated Aboriginal agency stating you are a former B.C. youth in care who meets one of the legal eligibility criteria.
  4. Submit all documents directly to StudentAid B.C. dpu.studentfunding@gov.bc.ca
  5. StudentAid B.C. will email you with the application results.

Note: Douglas College cannot submit your Youth Educational Assistance Fund application on your behalf.

For Recurring YEAF Applicants:

  1. Re-apply every year at the same time by filling out the Youth Educational Assistance Fund application and, if relevant, the Confirmation of Enrolment letter.
  2. Send it directly to dpu.studentfunding@gov.bc.ca
  3. You do not need to send another letter from MCFD after your first successful application.

Tips for Applying:

  • Remember when you applied for the YEAF as you are eligible to receive this funding a total of 4 times. Re-apply every year around the same time to maximize this fund.
  • If you are denied funding and want to appeal, please complete an appeal form and submit it along with the documentation listed on the form to StudentAid BC.

 

If you’ve been in foster care or had a Youth Agreement, you may qualify for the Agreements with a Young Adult (AYA) program to help cover the cost of things like housing, child care, tuition and health care while you go to school or do job training, or attend rehabilitation, mental health, or life skills programs.

Under this program, you will be assigned with an Agreements with Young Adults specialist who can support your time while you’re in school and you will also receive a monthly cheque to help you with your living expenses.

For more information and full eligibility criteria, visit Agreements with Young Adults

The Youth Futures Education Fund provides low-barrier access to funds to support living expenses to youth who have aged out of the foster care system and are attending a post-secondary institution on a tuition waiver.

Douglas College students who are approved and currently on the Provincial Tuition Waiver Program, have access to the Youth Futures Education Fund. At Douglas College, this covers textbooks, school supplies and emergencies.

To apply, contact the Student Support Navigator directly.

To learn more, please visit Youth Futures Education Fund

Here are some community scholarships available for former youth in care students. For a full comprehensive list, check out AgedOut Scholarships and Bursaries.

Note: All scholarships have different application requirements, eligibility and deadlines. These scholarships are not affiliated with Douglas College.

Apply for general student funding

Contact Information

If you have any questions or need guidance, please make an appointment with the student support navigator.

Kate Tran
(she/her/hers)
Student Support Navigator
Student Affairs and Services, Douglas College
T 236 428 4725 | C 604 306 0991
ssnavigator@douglascollege.ca | trank13@douglascollege.ca

“Book a Drop in with Kate”