Student Loads and Grants
What are Loans and Grants?
- Student loans and Grants are funded by the government. Loans will need to be repaid after your study period ends. However, grants do not need to be paid back. Both the student loans and grants are provided based on your eligibility.
When to apply?
- You can apply for a loan before you are admitted to a program or registered in classes. Apply at least 2 months before the start of classes. You must apply for funding every semester. Loan applications are processed within 6 weeks.
How to apply?
- You are automatically assessed for grants when you apply for a student loan and if you qualify, you will be advised with your loan approval.
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
STEP 2: Where to apply?
Applications are submitted through the Student Aid BC (SABC) Portal . Grants are assessed automatically at the time of load processing by SABC.
DISCLAIMER:
Full-time students cannot apply for only a grant.
STEP 3: How to apply?
- Visit StudentAidBC for instructions on how to apply for a Full-Time loan.
- You must apply for a load every semester. The program you are registered in at Cloud Nine College must match the one you enter on your loan application.
- 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 Cloud None College to confirm your full-time enrolment.
- Confirmation of Enrolment:
- Cloud Nine College will confirm your enrolment electronically close to the start date of classes.
- You must meet all eligibility requirements for confirmation.
- 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.
STEP4: How to pay the tuition with loans and grants?
The tuition amount will be paid directly to Cloud Nine 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.
Part-time Student Funding
NEW FOR WINTER 2025 APPLICATIONS:
Student Aid BC (SABC) will be launching an online part-time application portal. The launch date will be announced around the end of October 2024.
PAPER AND PDF APPLICATIONS WILL NO LONGER BE ACCEPTED.
- You will be able to submit your part-time application online through a Student Information Management System (SIMS) when the system launches
- Applicants will be required to login online through the B.C. Service Card app to submit their online funding application
- Plan Ahead: You will need to download and set up a BC Services Card App
STEP 1: 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 a Part-Time Studies Application to Cloud Nine College 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 loads do not cover living expenses.
Note:
Part-time funding does not cover living costs but allows for tuition, books, supplies, transportation and child care.
**IMPORTANT INFORMATION:
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.
STEP 2: How to apply online – WINTER 2025 and beyond
- Once StudentAid BC launches the new SIMS online system, you will be prompted to log in with your B.C. Services Card app.
- Download the app early to avoid any delays.
- As we approach the launch, we will provide more details on how to complete the online application here.
STEP 3: How to pay the tuition with loans and grants
The tuition amount will be paid directly to Cloud Nine 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.
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 websites 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:
