The Ministry of Children and Family Development is providing $1.4 million this year to fund a busary program for youth formerly in government care.
Open to youth between the ages 19 and 24 who are no longer in permanent care, eligible students can receive bursary awards of $5,500 for tuition, books, fees or living expenses at designated post-secondary and vocational institutions.
The program of study must be at least 12 weeks long and lead to a diploma, certificate or degree.
As well, students must be studying full time, or with a reduced course load for students with a permanent disability.
Eligible students can receive a bursary once each educational year and up to a maximum of four times, applications are accepted at any time during the year and the awards do not have to be repaid.
For more information on the busary program, called Youth Education Assistance Fund (YEAF), visit www.mcf.gov.bc.ca, click on "other services for children and youth" and then "Youth Education Assistance Fund" on the left side. To apply for a bursary, visit www.aved.gov.bc.ca, click on StudentAidBC, then "former youth in care" on the right side.
