February 18, 2020

The Simon Fraser Student Society (SFSS) welcomes the provincial government announcement that the current BC post-secondary education grant will be replaced with the BC Access Grant – a new, expanded grant program set to benefit more students.

Beginning in September 2020, the new BC Access Grant will create an upfront needs-based student grant program, with an increased funding of $24 million over three years, which will open up to part-time students and students enrolled in programs of less than two years.

Need-based grants are awarded based on demonstrated financial need and, like scholarships (which are given on the basis of academic and extracurricular merit), do not have to be repaid.

“We are very excited to hear that the Provincial government will be supporting our ask for Needs Based Grants,” said SFSS VP External Relations Jasdeep Gill. “Student unions across the province have been advocating on this matter for years, and it is very fulfilling to see all of that work come to fruition.”

In 2004, the BC Government eliminated needs-based grants, leaving a significant gap in our provincial student aid program and making BC the only province in Canada without a need-based grants program.

Last year, the SFSS along with other BC student associations encouraged the BC government to take the issue of access to education more seriously and create a comprehensive needs-based grants program.

“Removing financial barriers to post-secondary education has always been a top priority for the SFSS,” said Gill. “We believe this win is a step in the right direction, and we hope to continue the work we do in order to ensure that student voices reach policymakers at all levels of government.”