Frequently Asked Questions
Government Funded Programs:
- What is the Adult Basic Education Assistance Program (ABESAP)?
- What is the Canada Study Grant High-Need Part-Time Program (CSG-HNPT)?
- How do I cash my B.C. student loan?
- How do I cash my BC student loan document (BCSL) if I am studying outside Canada?
- How do I cash my Canada student loan document (CSL)?
- How do I maintain interest-free status on my student loan?
Scholarships, Bursaries and Awards:
- What is a scholarship?
- What is an award?
- What is a bursary?
- What is a fee waiver?
- What is a grant?
- What is a loan?
- How do I apply for internal scholarships and awards?
- How will I find out if I have been selected for an award?
- If I am selected for an award, when will I receive my funds?
- Should I send a 'thank you' letter if I am an award recipient?
- What if I do not qualify for an award?
- Are there other sources of awards?
Handouts:
- Additional Resources (69k pdf)
- Budget Worksheet (27k pdf)
- ESL Handout (22k pdf)
- Financial Aid For Part-time Students (pdf)
- Maintaining Interest Free Status (pdf)
- Scholarships and Awards for Aboriginal Students (pdf)
- Scholarships and Awards for Female Students (pdf)
- Scholarships and Awards for Single Parent Students (pdf)
- Scholarships and Awards for Students with Disabilities (pdf)
- Searching for Scholarships (pdf)
- Student Loan Service Centres for Canada and BC Student Loans (pdf)
Government Funded Programs:
What is the Adult Basic Education Assistance Program (ABESAP)?
The Adult Basic Education Student Assistance Program (ABESAP) is provincially funded and designed to provide direct educational costs for students enrolled in the developmental programs - adult basic education, English as a second language, and adult special education.
ABESAP is intended for, but not limited to, students who have left the high school (secondary) system without graduating. ABESAP is for students attending BC public post secondary institutions only.
ABESAP eligibility is based on assessed financial need and available ABESAP funds through the Financial Aid and Awards Office at Capilano University. To be considered to have financial need, applicants must also meet or be below a gross income level which depends on family size as set by the Ministry of Advanced Education and Labour Market Development. Other eligibility criteria will apply.
What is the Canada Student Grant for Part-Time Studies?
The Canada Student Grant Program is designed to assist specific students who are in part-time studies and whose income falls below a minimum level. 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.
The grant may cover tuition, books, supplies, transportation and child care expenses (limit of $1,200 per academic year). Application forms are available through the Financial Aid and Awards Office.Eligible Students:
- Grant for Students with a Permanent Disability - If you have a permanent disability that affects your ability to attend school, you may qualify for a grant of $2000 per program year, whether you study full-time or part-time. If, in addition to this, you are a BC resident, you may qualify for the Supplemental Bursary for Students with Disabilities of $400 if you study between 20%-39% of a full-time course load or $800 if you study 40% or more.
- Grant for Part-time Students - If your family income falls below the amount for your family size, as shown in the Low Income table below, you may qualify for the Grant for Part-time Students of up to $1,200 per program year.
- Grant for Part-time Students with Dependants - You may qualify for this program if you are considered "Low Income" see table below, and you have dependants that are either 11 years old or younger or are older than 11 and have been claimed as dependants on your income tax (with a CRA approved permanent disability), and if your financial need in this program year exceeds $1,200 of Grant or Part-time Students, and you have at least $4,000 inoutstanding principal for Part-time Student Loan
Maximum income limits for Canada Study Grant eligibility:
|
Family Size |
Income Level |
|---|---|
|
1 |
$14,100 |
|
2 |
$23,300 |
|
3 |
$31,900 |
|
4 |
$37,800 |
|
5 |
$43,700 |
|
6 |
$48,600 |
|
7 |
$53,000 |
|
8 |
$56,800 |
|
9 |
$60,100 |
|
10 |
$62,700 |
Note: Grants are non-repayable, but are considered taxable income. You will be issued a T4A at income tax time to declare the income on your tax form for the tax year in which the funding was issued.
How do I cash my BC Student Loan?
If you have been approved for government student loans through StudentAid BC, a BC Master Student Loan Agreement will be mailed to you at the address ilisted on your application. You must agree to the terms and conditions outlined in the Agreement in order to become a loan borrower. A Notification of Assessment will also be sent to you.
1. Take your BC Master Student Loan Agreement to a designated Canada Post outlet with all of the following documentation:
- Your Social Insurance Number (SIN) card
- Official government-issued photo identification
- A personalized void cheque
Your loan will not be processed if you do not provide all of the required documentation
Canada Post staff will:
- Ensure that your BC Master Student Loan Agreement is valid for processing
- Ensure you have provided proper identification
- Forward your BC Master Student Loan Agreement to the BC Student Loan Service Bureau
If you lose your BC Master Student Loan Agreement you must contact the Student Services Branch to have the document reprinted and sent to you. If you lose your Confirmation of Enrolment form, visit the StudentAid BC website and login to "Check your Application Status"
2. The Financial Aid and Awards Office at Capilano University must confirm your program enrolment before loan and/or grant funds can be released to you. You must be registered in a minimum 60% of a full course load (40% for students with documented permanent disabilities) for your term of study to be considered for full-time government student loan funding in a designated fundable program at Capilano University.
Once your enrollment is confirmed, your loan funds will be electronically transferred (EFT) to your bank account no earlier than the first day of classes. If your student account has an outstanding balance, your loan funds or a portion of, may be remitted to Capilano University to pay your fees. Please check your student account regularly using the MyCap: Student/Faculty Login found at www.capilanou.ca.
If you are receiving government student loans from another province or territory, a Confirmation of Enrolment form will be mailed to you. Take the form to the Financial Aid and Awards Office for processing.
How do I cash my BC Student Loan Document (BCSL) if I am studying outside Canada?
If you will be studying outside Canada, you may need to arrange for someone in BC to have Power of Attorney on your behalf in order to negotiate (cash) your loan documents.
A Power of Attorney must be set up before you leave the country to attend school. Ensure your Power of Attorney brings a certified true copy of your identification to a designated Canada Post outlet along with your loan documents and Power of Attorney form.
How do I cash my Canada Student Loan Document (CSL)?
The process to cash a Canada Student Loan (CSL) is different from the British Columbia Student Loan (BCSL) process.
Confirmation of Enrolment
The Financial Aid and Awards Office must confirm your enrolment before your Canada Student Loan Agreement can be released to you. You must be registered in a minimum 60% of a full course load (40% for students with documented permanent disabilities) for your term of study to be considered for full-time government student loan funding in a designated fundable program at Capilano University.
Your Notification of Assessment for your Canada Student Loan will indicate whether your Loan Agreement will be mailed to your home.
If your Notification of Assessment indicates funding "sent to home", your Canada Student Loan Agreement will be mailed to the address you provided in your application once your school has electronically confirmed your enrolment with the Student Services Branch. If your Notification of Assessment indicates funding "sent to school", your Canada Student Loan Agreement will be sent to your school. In order to receive your documents, the Financial Aid and Awards Office must confirm your enrolment. Once enrolment is confirmed, your documents will be processed and release the documents to you.
Negotiating your Loan Agreement
Once your enrolment is confirmed, take your Canada Student Loan agreement to a designated Canada Post outlet with all of the following documentation:
- Your Social Insurance Number (SIN) card
- Official government-issued photo identification
- A personalized void cheque
Canada Post staff will:
- Ensure that your Canada Student Loan agreement is valid for processing
- Ensure you have provided proper identification
- Forward your Canada Student Loan agreement to the National Student Loans Service Centre
Once your enrollment is confirmed, your loan funds will be electronically transferred (EFT) to your bank account no earlier than the first day of classes. If your student account has an outstanding balance, your loan funds or a portion of, may be remitted to Capilano University to pay your fees. Please check your student account regularly using the MyCap: Student/Faculty Login found at www.capilanou.ca
How do I maintain interest-free status on my student loan?
Students eligible for interest-free status are not required to pay interest on any outstanding Canada Student Loans and/or British Columbia Student Loans for the duration specified. To be eligible, students must be enrolled in a study period not less than 12 weeks in length, and must be in at a minimum 9 credits at the 100 level or higher (6 credits for students with documented permanent disabilities who have been approved by the Student Services Branch to study at the reduced course load).
The federal and provincial governments will pay the interest on your Canada Student Loans and your British Columbia Student Loans while you are in school full-time. During this time, you are not required to make payments on your loans. If you choose to make payments, they will be applied directly to the principal amount owing.
Proof of enrolment for each study period in which you are enrolled, even if you are not applying for additional student loans, must be provided to the appropriate service centre and/or, if applicable, bank. This will keep your loans in an interest-free status while you are studying.
Canada Student Loans (CSL)
- If you will not be negotiating a new Canada Student Loan document (Schedule 1 – Certificate of Eligibility), you must submit a completed Schedule 2 (Confirmation of Enrolment) form to the National Student Loans Service Centre and/or, if applicable, the appropriate bank.
- If you negotiate a new Canada Student Loan document (Schedule 1 – Certificate of Eligibility), the National Student Loans Service Centre will automatically update your file and maintain your existing loan in an interest-free status.
Cashing a British Columbia Student Loan or a grant does not reinstate or continue the interest-free status of any Canada Student Loan.
British Columbia Student Loans (BCSL)
- If you will not be receiving a new British Columbia Student Loan, you must submit a completed Certificate 2 (Continuation or Reinstatement of Interest-Free Status) form to the BC Student Loan Service Bureau and/or, if applicable, the appropriate bank.
- If you will be receiving a new British Columbia Student Loan, the BC Student Loan Service Bureau will automatically update your file and maintain your existing loan in an interest-free status.Cashing a Canada Student Loan does not reinstate or continue the interest-free status of any British Columbia Student Loan.
Schedule 2’s and Certificate 2’s are only valid for 30 days after the date signed by the Financial Aid Office and are void after the study period end date.
Scholarships, Bursaries and Awards
What is a scholarship?
A scholarship is a non-repayable gift primarily issued to a student who meets established guidelines for outstanding academic achievement and possibly other criteria, excluding financial need. This gift may consist of money, fee waivers, or a combination of these.
What is an award?
An award is a non-repayable gift of any kind not meeting the strict guidelines for scholarships or bursaries. It may be a fee waiver, book, memberships, money or another prize. The criteria may include academic achievement and/or financial need.
What is a fee waiver?
A fee waiver is a non-repayable gift of tuition fees for a course or program. Other regular College charges and ancillary fees are not usually included in a fee waiver.
What is a grant?
A grant is a non-repayable gift of money provided by a government agency to assist a student who shows financial need while attending school. In some cases, the grant must be repaid if the student withdraws prior to the study period end date.
What is a loan?
A loan is a repayable form of aid provided to a student while they are attending a post-secondary institution. In some cases, the loan is interest free while the student is completing their studies, provided they meet minimum eligibility criteria. Repayment of interest and principal is required. In other cases, interest payments are made on a monthly basis while the student is in school. Repayment of principal begins after the student has completed their studies.
How do I apply for internal scholarships, bursaries and awards?
Capilano scholarships, bursaries and awards are offered in the fall/spring and summer terms. Capilano also offeres prestigious entrance awards for new students to Capilano University. Visit the Capilano Financial Aid and Awards website often for details under Capilano Scholarships, Bursaries & Awards and External Awards and how to apply..
Some awards require a paper application. Applications for download will be available on the website as they become available with application deadlines indicated.
How will I find out if I have been selected for an award?
Approximately six weeks after the application deadline, a letter will be mailed to the address you have listed with the Registrar’s Office if you are selected for an award.
If I am selected for an award, when will I receive my funds?
Your award cheque may be enclosed with your notification letter. If it is not enclosed, there will be additional instructions. Thank-you letters are required and should be submitted to the Financial Aid and Awards Office. Your letter will be forwarded to the donor(s) on your behalf.
Should I send a 'thank you' letter if I am an award recipient?
Yes! Capilano University requests that award recipients send thank-you letters unless it is not requested of you in your award notification letter. Instructions will be enclosed with your award letter. Students who are invited to a Capilano University Awards Ceremony are expected to make every effort to attend.
What if I do not qualify for an award?
Unfortunately, as award funds are limited, we may be unable to assist all deserving students.
If your situation has changed since you applied for your award and you may request an interview with a Financial Aid Officer to review your situation. If we are still unable to assist you, we may be able to refer you to other resources.
Are there other sources of awards?
- Check the external awards directories and websites via the Capilano University Financial Aid and Awards website
- Do you or your family have affiliations with service clubs, organizations, or athletic teams?
- Employers may provide bursaries and/or awards for their employees and/or dependents
