Frequently Asked Questions
Financial Assistance for Douglas College Students
- How will I pay for school and graduate without a huge debt?
- I need a financial plan. Where do I start?
- Where can I get information on Douglas College scholarships, awards and bursaries?
- What is the difference between scholarships and bursaries?
- Am I eligible for a Douglas College Bursary/Award?
- Can I apply for a Douglas College Scholarship?
- What about Douglas College Entrance Scholarships?
- Are there any Douglas College Awards for graduating students?
- Where can I get information on other scholarships, awards and bursaries?
- I need government student loans and grants. How do I apply?
- What funding is provided through the BC Student Assistance Program?
- I need to pay my fees before school starts but my student loan is not available until the start of classes. What can I do?
- My funding has been delayed. What can I do?
- I don't qualify for a government loan. Are there other loans available?
- I need to do some upgrading courses. Is financial aid available?
- I need to study part-time. Is financial aid available?
- I have a disability. Do I qualify for any special funding?
- I need more information. Who do I contact?
How will I pay for school and graduate without a huge debt?
While student loans are the first source of funding that people think of, there are also non-repayable funds available. Investigate your options and try to minimize your borrowing. Plan your finances now to avoid stress and uncertainty while you are a student. Learn to live simply and cheaply so that you can look forward to graduating without a huge debt.
I need a financial plan. Where do I start?
There are many on-line interactive planning tools available at: http://canlearn.ca/ including:
- The Education Cost Calculator estimates the costs for each year you attend college or university. It will also compare costs for obtaining an education based on your choice of program of study and other related costs.
- The Budget Estimator is designed to help you calculate the money you have now, along with what you can reasonably expect to have in the future, as you plan to pay for your education.
- The Online Budget Planner provides you with a complete working budget for your period of study.
Read "The Debt-Free Graduate" by Murray Baker. Can't afford to buy the book? Ask for your free copy at the Financial Aid Office or check out Murray's website.
Where can I get information on Douglas College scholarships, awards and bursaries?
A listing of scholarships, awards and bursaries administered by Douglas College is available on-line. Find Financial Aid in the alphabetical index to find information on scholarships, awards and bursaries.
What is the difference between scholarships and bursaries?
Scholarships are based on academic performance while bursaries are largely based on individual need (if basic requirements are met).
Am I eligible for a Douglas College Bursary/Award?>
To be eligible you must have financial need and you must have at least a C average (minimum 2.0 semester grade point average). Full and part-time students may apply. Preference is given to full-time students who have exhausted other sources of funding and still have need. As funds are limited, you may not receive a bursary. You will receive a letter if you qualify. You can also check you status on-line.
On-line applications are available at the start of the semester.
Apply:
September 1st to October 1st
for
Fall Semester
January 1st to February 1st
for
Winter Semester
May 1st to June 1st
for
Summer Semester
Can I apply for Douglas College Scholarships?
Continuing students who have completed 12 or more graded credits at Douglas College with a minimum 3.5 grade point average may apply for scholarships. Donors may set other criteria for individual awards (e.g. volunteer activities). Scholarships are offered once per year in the Winter Semester. As funds are limited you may not receive a scholarship. On-line applications are available at the start of the semester. Apply by February 1st.
What about Douglas College Entrance Scholarships?
Entrance scholarships are offered each year to students graduating from high schools in the Metro Vancouver and entering Douglas College in the Fall. Applications are available from high school counsellors in February. A listing of these awards is available on-line. Students who receive an entrance scholarship are also eligible for priority registration. Apply by May 1st.
Are there any Douglas College Awards for graduating students?
Graduating students who have achieved a record of academic excellence may qualify for graduation awards. A listing of these awards is available on-line. Apply by May 1st.
Where can I get information on other scholarships, awards and bursaries?
Enter your profile (program of study, institution, volunteer activities, etc.) and find information on scholarships, awards and bursaries at http://www.studentawards.com/ or http://www.scholarshipscanada.com/. Find out about other special bursaries such as the Nurses Education Bursary or the Youth Educational Assistance Fund at http://www.studentaidbc.ca/.
Check in your local community for other possible sources of funds. Organizations such as the Soroptimist International, the PEO Sisterhood and the Royal Canadian Legion provide bursaries for students. Other sources may include credit unions, unions, businesses, organizations or agencies. Check the mydouglas.douglas.bc.ca regularly for special bulletins about awards available to Douglas College students.
I need government student loans and grants. How do I apply?
Find general information about Student Aid BC and apply on-line. Contact the Financial Aid Office if you need assistance with your application. We have computers available for student use in our office. If you have recently moved to B.C. to attend school you may need to apply through your home province. If you don't receive enough funding or your situation changes after your apply, talk to a financial aid advisor to receive assistance with an appeal or reassessment of your loan application.
What funding is provided through Student Aid BC?
Loans:
Student loans are interest-free while the student is enrolled in full-time post-secondary-level studies (minimum 60 percent course load or 40% course load for students with permanent disabilities and approved by the Ministry of Advanced Education). Repayment commences six months after leaving full-time study.
Grants:
Special grants are available for students with dependants and students with disabilities and for students from low and middle income families. Grants are considered taxable income. They are not repayable unless you withdraw early from full-time studies or your financial need changes.
I need to pay my fees before school starts but my student loan is not available until the start of classes. What can I do?
Students, who have been approved for student loan funding and are unable to pay their fees prior to receiving their student loan, may request a fee deferral and pay their fees when they receive their student loans. Fee deferrals must be requested prior to the deadline date for fee payment each semester.
My funding has been delayed. What can I do?
Students approved for student loan funding sometimes experience unusual delays in the processing of their loan at the start of the semester. Temporary assistance may be available to help buy books, etc. until the student loan funding arrives. The emergency advance is required to be repaid from the loan or grant disbursement. Contact the financial aid office for more information.
I don't qualify for a government loan. Are there other loans available?
Talk to a financial aid advisor to see if you can appeal the decision. Students who do not qualify for government student loans may qualify for private student loans or lines of credit through CIBC, Bank of Montreal, Scotia Bank, TD Bank, etc. A co-signor may be required. Interest is charged while the student is in school.
Sponsorship
Unemployed individuals who are in receipt of Employment Insurance benefits or who have received benefits in the last three years or started a maternity or parental UI or EI claim within the last five years may qualify for sponsorship for training assistance from Human Resources & Skills Development Canada. For information go to http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca/. Aboriginal students may qualify for band funding. Contact the Aboriginal Student Services Coordinator for assistance at 604-527-5565 and check out scholarships, bursaries and awards for aboriginal students at www.ainc-inac.gc.ca/.
Earn while you learn. Part-time work on and off-campus
Many students work part-time while they study full-time. Look for jobs at Douglas College and off-campus at www.douglas.bc.ca/services/student-employment/.
I need to complete some upgrading courses. Is financial aid available?
Full and part-time students in upgrading programs may apply for a grant to cover the cost of tuition fees through the Adult Basic Education Student Assistance Program (ABESAP). Students must qualify based on financial need. Eligible programs include English As A Second Language, Developmental Studies, Career and Employment Preparation, Transitions to Work, Basic Occupational Education, Light Warehouse Training, Customer Cashier Training. Students must apply by the end of the first month of classes. Apply early as funds are limited.
I need to study part-time. Is financial aid available?
The Canada Student Grant (CSG) provides up to $1200 annually to part-time post-secondary students. Costs eligible for funding include tuition, books, supplies, transportation and unsubsidized daycare. Part-time loan funds may be available to students who reach the $1200 grant limit or do not qualify for the grant due to their family income. Interest payments are required on the loan within 30 days of receipt of the loan. Apply early as processing time is approximately eight (8) weeks. Students with permanent disabilities may also qualify for a $2000 Canada Student Grant for persons with permanent disabilities.
I have a disability. Do I qualify for any special funding?
Funding is available through the Assistance Program for Students with Disabilities (APSD) and the Canada Student Grant for for services and equpment for personswith permanent disabilities to cover exceptional education-related costs associated with certain permanent disabilities. Contact the Centre for Students with Disabilities for more information or by phone: 604-527-5486, TTY: 604-527-5450.
Special grants are also available to assist with educational costs, contact the Financial Aid office for more information.
I need more information. Who do I contact?
Financial Aid, Room 2740 New Westminster 604-527-5487
Financial Aid, Room A1030 Coquitlam: 604-777-6189
financialaid@douglas.bc.ca