Assistance Programs
The Financial Aid Office administers a variety of assistance programs. Staff are available to help students complete various forms relating to financial assistance. Staff can also help with budgeting and advice on general financial planning. Students experiencing financial difficulties should visit the Financial Aid Office. Staff are often able to help students find solutions to financial problems. A brief description of financial support programs available at Langara College follows. For more information and/or for funding applications, please speak to the receptionist in the Financial Aid Office.
For budgeting and financial planning information, please visit the Canlearn Interactive website.
StudentAid BC
StudentAid BC provides assistance in the form of Canada Student Loans or a combination of Canada Student Loans, B.C. Student Loans, and possibly grant funding. The amount and type of assistance awarded is based on need as assessed by the Provincial Authority. It takes approximately six weeks to process a Student Loan application. Students are therefore advised to apply early. Submitting online applications can speed up the approval process. Students are reminded that this is an assistance program aimed at complementing, not replacing, their own financial resources. To be eligible for StudentAid BC student loan funding, students must be registered in 60% of a full course load (9 credit hours), or 40% (6 credit hours) for students with permanent disabilities. To apply for a Student Loan online or to check the status of a Student Loan, visit here.
First-year students from low income families who are enrolled in programs of at least two years may be eligible for tuition assistance through the Canada Access Grant for Students from Low-Income Families. Students with permanent disabilities may be eligible for Canada Access Grants for Students with Permanent Disabilities. The grant for students with disabilities can assist with both educational costs (e.g., tuition, books, and supplies) and living costs. Speak with the Langara College Financial Aid Department or visit here for further information. These programs are administered through StudentAid BC.
Adult Basic Education Student Assistance Program (ABESAP)
ABESAP is a provincially-funded program designed to fund the direct educational costs of students enrolled in programs such as:
- Academic Upgrading (when not repeating courses for better grades)
- Pre-Vocational courses
- English Language Training
- Adult Special Education
ABESAP is intended for students who have left the secondary school system without completion and who wish to pursue upgrading. The amount of the grant awarded to the student is based on a standard needs assessment procedure.
Student Work Assistance Program (SWAP)
The Student Work Assistance Program (SWAP) provides paid employment for students who demonstrate financial need. Students must be enrolled in a minimum of nine credits. (Students with permanent disabilities who are registered with Langara College Disability Services require a minimum of six credits.) This enrolment must be maintained throughout the semester in order to remain eligible for the SWAP program.
First term students are eligible, but those students who are past their first semester must have a cumulative grade point average of 2.00.
Students should contact departments on campus to check for availability of SWAP positions or visit the “For Job Seekers” link on the Langara College website for our Student Employment postings. See the Financial Aid Department for further information.
Out-of-Province Student Loan Program
Some Student Loan applications and website addresses for other provinces and the Yukon and NorthWest Territories are available in the Financial Aid Office.
Canada Study Grant Program for High Need Part-Time Students (HNPT - CSG)
This program is designed to assist students who are required to study part-time and whose income falls below a prescribed threshold. The program is funded by the Federal Government and is limited to students who are enrolled in 20-59% of a full-time post-secondary course load. Canada Study Grant funding is designed to help with direct educational costs such as tuition and books. The amount of assistance awarded to the student is based on a standard part-time student needs assessment procedure. Students cannot be in default of past Canada Student Loans.
Canada Study Grant Program for Students with Permanent Disabilities
This program is designed to assist students who have permanent functional limitations or impairments. The awards are intended to meet expenses that are not covered by other support programs and agencies. The program is funded by the Federal Government and is available to qualified part-time post-secondary students with permanent disabilities. Student financial need eligibility is established through the standard StudentAid BC needs assessment procedure. To be eligible for the program, students must first apply for assistance through the regular StudentAid BC Student Loan and have assessed need. Any service/equipment costs must not have been covered by another source.
Emergency Loans
Emergency Loans are used to assist students when Student Loans have been approved but are delayed. In some circumstances, other types of income are used as security for an Emergency Loan; each situation is considered separately. Students in emergency situations are advised to see the receptionist in the Financial Aid office to set up an interview with an Advisor.