High School Students
Scholarships and funding for high school students in BC headed to post-secondary.
Who this is for
BC Grade 11 or 12 student starting university, college, or trade school in the next 6–18 months. You may already have an offer of admission, or you may still be applying. You and your parents are trying to figure out how much it will cost and what funding you qualify for before you commit.
Realistic stack
Strong applicants stack $5,000–$18,000 in first-year funding from a combination of provincial grants, federal grants, school entrance awards, and external scholarships.
Apply window
Start in October–January of Grade 12 for the following September. Most school-based entrance awards close February–March. StudentAid BC applications open after acceptance and ideally go in by July for September starts.
Primary funding sources
StudentAid BC
Combined grant + loan packages typically range from $4,000 to $19,000+ per academic year. Grants are forgiven; loans must be repaid.
Canada Student Grant for Full-Time Students
Up to $4,200 per year for full-time students from low-income families ($1,900 for middle-income). Adjusted by family size and income.
BC Access Grant
Up to $4,000 per year for full-time students. Pro-rated for part-time.
The order to apply
- Confirm BC residency (12+ months before study start) — you almost certainly qualify if you went to high school here.
- Apply to schools and accept your offer of admission first — many funding sources require proof of acceptance.
- Apply for school entrance scholarships at the time you apply for admission (most schools have a single combined application).
- Apply for StudentAid BC after you've confirmed your school — the application auto-assesses you for federal grants too.
- Layer external scholarships from BC-specific databases (StudentAwards.com, ScholarshipsCanada.com, your high school's counsellor list).
Common mistakes we see at this stage
- Waiting until July to start — school entrance awards mostly close in February–March.
- Only applying to one school's awards — apply to your top 3 schools, accept best offer, redirect funds.
- Skipping smaller awards ($500–$2,000) because they 'feel small' — they stack, and they're less competitive.
- Not telling your high school counsellor — they often hold local-foundation award lists not posted online.
FAQ
- Do I need to apply for StudentAid BC if I already have a scholarship?
- Yes if you want grants and loans on top. Scholarships rarely cover full cost; StudentAid BC is the foundation, scholarships are layered on top. Disclose any scholarships you receive when you apply.
- What's the difference between a scholarship and a bursary?
- Scholarships are typically awarded on merit (grades, leadership, athletics). Bursaries are need-based (financial situation). Many high school students qualify for both — apply to both.
- Are scholarships taxable income?
- In Canada, scholarships and bursaries used for tuition at a designated post-secondary institution are generally non-taxable. Always check with a tax pro for your specific situation.
Our take
The Grade 12 funding window is narrower than most families realize. The students who walk away with $15K+ in their first year started in October. The ones who scrambled in August got $3K. We help families build the calendar in October so the deadlines don't get missed.
Want a 30-minute review of your specific situation?
Free, independent, no application submission. We map the system to your file.
Start free funding review →Skillucate is independent — not StudentAid BC, not the Government of British Columbia, not the Government of Canada, not a school. We do not make funding decisions and do not guarantee approval, eligibility, amounts, or timelines. Information current as of 2026-05-10; verify with the funding body before applying.