Tuition Assistance Program
Frequently Asked Questions
This page contains answers to questions about the
Tuition Assistance Program.
For answers to frequently asked questions about
the Community Development Trust and its other programs, follow the links below:
General
Q. What is the purpose of the
Tuition Assistance program?
A. The Tuition Assistance Program was created to assist laid-off forest workers who wish to use their time off work to upgrade their skills, knowledge and education.
Q. For how long is the program in effect and when can I apply?
A. The program was announced in spring 2008 and continues until March 31, 2011. Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis.
Q. What type of course can I take?
A. Tuition Assistance
Program funding is available for a wide range of
academic, trade and other courses at any designated
public or private school in B.C. We also fund
courses at ICBC-licensed driver training schools and
first aid courses sanctioned by WorkSafe BC.
Q. How much money can I get from the
program?
A. The program provides up to
$5,000 for up to a year's tuition at a designated BC
public or private school. The one year starts the
first day of your first class.
Q. What costs the Tuition Assistance
Program cover?
A. Tuition Assistance
Program funding can be applied to tuition and
related mandatory fees to attend studies. This
funding can also cover required books but does not
cover tools or equipment. See the
Benefits Available
page for more information.
Eligibility
Q. Who can apply?
A. The Tuition Assistance
Program is available to laid-off forest workers
whose main employment was in the forest sector for
at least two consecutive years before their lay-off. See the
Who can apply page for more information.
Q. Can I apply even if I
have already enrolled in a course and paid my
tuition and mandatory fees?
A. In some cases, this may
be possible. You will need to apply to the Tuition
Assistance Program and be approved. See our
How to apply page for
more information or call our toll-free information
line at 1-877-238-8882.
Q. Is Tuition Assistance available for correspondence courses?
A. Yes, as long as the
course(s) are through a designated public or private
school in B.C. Schools outside B.C. may also be
considered, depending on your particular situation.
Q. What if the school I
want to take a course at is not in B.C.?
A. Generally, funding is
limited to courses offered by a designated public or
private school in B.C. If you have a particular
reason why you believe an exception should be made,
you may appeal and your reasons will be considered.
Q. Can I apply if I want to enrol in Adult Basic Education courses?
A. As of January 1, 2008,
all adult basic education courses provided in public
institutions are tuition free, so the Tuition
Assistance Program does not apply.
If you are taking Adult Basic Education and need
assistance with the cost of books, supplies and
transportation, please contact your institution’s
financial aid and awards office to see if you are
eligible for funding under the Adult Basic Education
Student Assistance Program. For further information
on adult learning please visit the StudentAid BC
website at
www.aved.gov.bc.ca/adulteducation.
Tuition Assistance and other programs
Q. How does applying to the Tuition
Assistance Program affect my Employment Insurance
status?
A. It all depends on what
benefits you are receiving and when. See the
Employment Insurance page for more information.
Q. Do I have to be
receiving Employment Insurance benefits to apply for
Tuition Assistance?
A. No, you do not have to
be currently receiving EI benefits to apply for
Tuition Assistance Program benefits.
Q. Can I be funded through
the Tuition Assistance Program and Service Canada at
the same time?
A. Yes, as long as you
meet Service Canada’s eligibility criteria. You can
contact Service Canada for more information, or call
our toll-free information line at 1-877-238-8882.
You can also see the
Employment Insurance page for more information.
Applying
Q. How do I apply for Tuition Assistance Program funding?
A. First, check to see if you are eligible. See the
Who can apply page for more information.
If you believe you are eligible, you can apply by completing an application. See the
How to apply page for more information and downloadable forms.
If your application meets our eligibility rules,
then we will send you a letter advising you of your
eligibility. Take this letter and a school
information form to your school’s financial aid and
awards office to register for classes. Once we
receive your school information form, we review your
course and cost information to make sure it meets
our criteria. If it does, we send you a letter of
approval, listing the course and the funding that
has been approved.
Q. What documents do I
need to provide?
A. In addition to a
complete and accurate application form, you must
send us photocopies of several supporting documents
as well. See the How to
apply page for full information.
Q. Do I send in originals
or photocopies of documents?
A. Your application form
and the signatures on it must be the original, while
supporting documents like a birth certificate or
passport should be photocopies. Please send us
photocopies of all supporting documents, while
keeping your originals in a safe place.
Q. Can I apply more than once?
A. Once we have determined
that you are eligible, you may receive additional
funding for courses over the next year, up to a
maximum of $5,000 in funding. Each time you enrol
for a new course, you will need to go to your
school’s financial aid and awards office to fill out
a new school information form.
Q. What schools am I able to attend?
A. Tuition Assistance
Program funding is available for a wide range of
academic, trade and other courses at any designated
public or private schools in B.C. We also fund
courses at ICBC-licensed driver training schools and
first aid courses sanctioned by WorkSafeBC. To
confirm whether we will fund a course at the school
you are considering, please call us toll-free at
1-877-238-8882.
Q. Can I take any type of course that I
want?
A. We encourage people to
take courses that will assist them in getting work
or building their skills. If you have questions
about course approval, please call program staff at
1-877-238-8882 to discuss the course prior to
registering.
Q. Can I enrol in a program that runs for
longer than one year?
A. . Yes, but the Tuition
Assistance Program funds can be used only for one
year of courses. If you choose courses lasting
longer than one year, you will need to fund other
ways of paying for costs beyond the first year. For
more information visit the StudentAid BC website at
www.studentaidbc.ca.
Payment
Q. How will I receive Tuition Assistance Program funding?
A. We send funding
directly to your school on your behalf after we have
approved your school information form. You will be
asked to endorse this cheque, or make alternate
arrangements. The school will apply the funds
directly to your account toward tuition and
mandatory fees.
Q. How will I pay for books, accommodation and other living expenses?
A. Tuition Assistance Program funding can be applied to the cost of books (see the
Benefits Available page), but not tools, equipment, accommodation or other living expenses. If you need help with these other costs, we encourage you to visit the StudentAid BC website at
www.studentaidbc.ca to learn more about grant, bursary and loan programs available
- or -
If you have had an Employment Insurance (EI) claim in the last three years, you
may be eligible for retraining funds under EI. Visit your local Service Canada
office for further information, or see
www1.servicecanada.gc.ca
- or -
Visit one of the Employment Assistance Services providers in your community and
make an appointment to help determine your next steps. For a listing of the EAS
providers near you, visit
http://www1.servicecanada.gc.ca/en/bc-yk/59/esp/menu.shtml.
Q. What if I don’t have the money to buy books and then wait
for a cheque from the program to cover that expense?
A. If you face a hardship situation, it is possible to
apply for advance funding to cover the cost of books. See the
Benefits Available page for more information.
Once you
are funded
Q. What happens if I
withdraw from the course(s)?
A. . Please call program
staff at 1-877-238-8882 to discuss your situation
before you withdraw. Withdrawing without
notification may affect your ability to take
advantage of future Community Development Trust programs.
If you notify the school that you are going to
withdraw near the beginning of a course, they will
return any unused tuition or mandatory fees to us.
If you mistakenly receive a tuition refund, you must
return the tuition refund to us.
The cheque should be made out to the
Minister of Finance and
sent to:
Community Development Trust
PO Box 9595 Stn Prov Govt
Victoria, BC V8W 9K4
If you are receiving Employment Insurance (EI)
benefits and were approved to attend training, your
entitlement may be affected if you do not attend the
course. It is important that you contact your
Employment Assistance service provider to discuss
the situation before you withdraw. If you are an EI
recipient and your course start date changes, it is
essential for you to contact Service Canada and
inform them of the change.
Appealing
Q. How do I appeal a decision I disagree with?
If you believe we have made an error in assessing
your application, you may appeal the decision within
30 days. Information on how to submit a written
appeal is provided at the time you are informed of a
program decision.
For more information about the Community Development Trust:
- 1-877-238-8882 from B.C. communities outside Victoria
- 250-387-5349 from Victoria
- email: cdt@gov.bc.ca
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