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

University of Victoria Youth in Care Award

One or more awards are given to students in their first undergraduate degree program. To be eligible for these awards, students must demonstrate financial need and be residents of British Columbia, and were formerly in any Government of BC Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD) Legal Status or the Government of BC Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction’s Child in Home of Relative Program for at least twelve months (consecutive or accumulated in any combination).

MCFD Legal Statuses refer to and include the following, consecutive or accumulated in any combination pursuant to the Child, Family and Community Service Act (the Act) regarding student eligibility for the University of Victoria Youth in Care Tuition Award:

    • Continuing Custody Order pursuant to sections 41 (1) (d), 42.2 (4) (d), 42.2 (7) or 49 (4), 49 (5) or 49 (10) of the Act;
    • Temporary Custody Order pursuant to sections 41 (1) (b) of the Act;
    • Special Needs Agreement pursuant to section 7 of the Act;
    • Voluntary Care Agreement pursuant to section 6 of the Act;
    • Youth Agreement pursuant to section 6 of the Act;
    • Extended Family Plan pursuant to section 8 of the Act;
    • Permanent Transfer of Custody Order with person other than a parent pursuant to section 54.01 or 54.1 of the Act;
    • Temporary Transfer of Custody pursuant to section 41(1)(b) of the Act;
    • Interim Custody Order with a Director pursuant to section 35(2)(a);
    • Interim Custody Order with person other than a parent pursuant to section 35(2)(a) of the Act;
    • Adoption;
    • Under the Guardianship of a Director pursuant to the Infants Act;
    • Under the Guardianship of a Director of adoption under the Adoptions Act.

The award covers actual tuition costs and mandatory fees for the terms required for completion of a first undergraduate degree. Eligible applicants may also receive funding to assist with the costs of books, supplies and living expenses. Students who transfer to UVic from a university or college to complete their first undergraduate degree and meet all eligibility criteria will be considered for the award. Applicants must submit the application form, including the Release of Information consent form required to confirm eligibility, to Student Awards and Financial Aid.

Mischa Weisz Foundation Cost of Living Award*

One or more awards are given to recipients of the Youth in Care Tuition Award (above) to offset living expenses, such as computers, books, housing, etc. No application required.

Sisters of St Ann University Support Award

One or more awards are given to students in their first undergraduate degree program. To be eligible for these awards, students must demonstrate financial need and be a resident of BC and have 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 12 months (consecutive or accumulated) in any, or a combination of the following categories: Continuing Custody Order, Temporary Custody Order, Special Need Agreement, Voluntary Care Agreement, Youth Agreement, Extended Family Plan, Permanent Transfer of Custody Order, Temporary Custody Order. The Award covers the terms required for completion of a first undergraduate degree. Eligible applicants may also receive funding to assist with the costs of books, supplies and living expenses. Students who transfer to UVic from a university or college to complete their first undergraduate degree and meet all eligibility criteria will be considered for the award. Applicants must submit the application form, including the release of information consent form required to confirm eligibility, to Student Awards and Financial Aid by the application deadline of May 1st.

Youth in Care Living Expenses Award

One or more awards are given to recipients of the Youth in Care Tuition Award (above) to offset living expenses, such as computers, books, housing, etc. No application required.

Youth Futures Education Fund

One or more awards are given to recipients of the University of Victoria Youth in Care Tuition Award (above) to offset living expenses, such as computers, books, housing, etc. No application is required.

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

BC Resources for Youth in Care

Canadian Resources for Youth in Care

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.