Former Youth in Care
If you are a UVic student who was formerly in care in BC, you may be eligible for the BC Provincial Tuition Waiver Program and/or the UVic Youth in Care Tuition Award.
The criteria for BC Provincial Tuition Waiver Program and the UVic Youth in Care Tuition Award are different, but there is some overlap, as outlined on this page. You may be eligible for one or both of the programs.
BC Provincial Tuition Waiver Program
The BC Provincial Tuition Waiver covers the cost of mandatory tuition and fees charged by the post-secondary institution for any credit or non-credit courses leading to a certificate, diploma, credential or undergraduate degree in a full or part-time course load. Students who were formerly in care in BC for a combined two years or more (consecutive or accumulated) and are between 19 and 26 years old (inclusive) can apply. For more information, please visit the BC Provincial Tuition Waiver Program website UVic will process your application and validate for eligibility.
How do you apply?
Students who transfer from another Canadian college or university must submit a new consent form for validation for continued support through the BC Provincial Tuition Waiver Program.
Students registered for courses through UVic Continuing Studies must inform Student Awards and Financial when applying for the BC Provincial Tuition Waiver Program.
UVic Youth in Care Tuition Award
The UVic Youth in Care Tuition Award covers the actual cost of tuition and fees for the terms required for the completion of a first undergraduate degree. Students must register in and maintain a minimum 60% course load in each term of study; for students with a permanent disability, the minimum course load is 40%. Eligible applicants may also receive funding to assist with the costs of books, supplies and living expenses. Transfer students are welcome to apply.
Are you eligible?
To be eligible, you must:
- Be admitted to the University of Victoria and entering your first undergraduate degree program;
- Demonstrate financial need;
- Be a resident of British Columbia;
- Have been formerly in care in BC for a total of 12 months or more (consecutive or accumulated) and are 19 years of age or older (no age cap) can apply; and,
- For continuing students, a minimum GPA of 2.0 in the previous academic session is required; and,
- Have received care as defined here.
How do you apply?
Application deadlines are March 31st (summer and fall terms) and October 31st (spring and summer terms). Late applications will be considered provided the student is accepted and enrolled in an undergraduate degree program. UVic reserves the right to change the criteria based on funding available.
Please note: Continuing Studies Courses are excluded from UVic Youth in Care Tuition Award funding.
Under the age of 19? Please contact Student Awards and Financial Aid as it’s never too early to start planning for your education at UVic.
UVic Awards
Resources
The following is a list of resources and information links that may help you with your post-secondary journey.
Definition of Youth in Care
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 CustodyOrder 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.
UVic Resources for Students
Academic Advising & Support
- Academic Advising
- Admission
- Centre for Academic Communication
- Resuming studies
- Student Services
- Welcome to UVic and Orientation
BC Resources for Youth in Care
- BC Adoption Youth Support
- BC Foster Parents Bursaries
- Federation of BC Youth in Care Networks
- Public Guardian and Trustee of BC
- Representative for Children and Youth BC
- Vancouver Foundation
GOVERNMENT RESOURCES
Canadian Resources for Youth in Care
- Children’s Aid Foundation
- Youth in Care Canada
- Canadian Child Welfare Research Portal
- Office of the Child and Youth Advocate Alberta
- Voices: Manitoba’s Youth in Care
- New Brunswick Child and Youth Advocate
- Advocate for Children and Youth Newfoundland and Labrador
- Northwest Territories
- Nova Scotia Office of the Ombudsman
- Nunavut Representative for Children and Youth
- Ontario Crown Wards
- Prince Edward Island Family and Human Services
- Quebec Youth Rights
- Saskatchewan Youth in Care
- Yukon Child Advocate Office
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Student Awards and Financial Aid at finaid@uvic.ca. UVic is committed to assisting former youth in care feel informed and supported on their educational path. Student Awards and Financial Aid is available as a resource to students who are former youth in care.