StrongerBC future skills grant

The StrongerBC future skills grant is open to British Columbians aged 19 years or older – regardless of financial need – and covers up to $3,500 in eligible short-term skills training at public post-secondary institutions.

The grant applies only to programs that start on or after September 1, 2023.

Student Eligibility

To be eligible for the future skills grant, you:

  • Must be a Canadian Citizen, a Permanent Resident, or a Protected Person entitled to study in Canada
  • Must be a B.C. resident currently living in British Columbia
  • Must be 19 years of age or older or have graduated from grade 12 or equivalent
  • Must provide consent for ECU to collect and disclose personal information that is relevant to accessing the StrongerBC future skills grant to the provincial government
  • Should not be receiving duplicative and/or overlapping funding to cover eligible costs (i.e. grants, loans, scholarships, or other funding that covers the same program costs as the StrongerBC future skills grant

You should also understand that:

  • The future skills grant benefits may have tax implications. Please consult the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) for tax advice
  • The grant is subject to a lifetime maximum of $3,500
  • If you are receiving any federal or provincial benefit, such as Employment Insurance (EI) or B.C. Employment Assistance (BCEA), you must seek approval from the appropriate government body before participating in a program
  • The amount of funding received is subject to review and audit

Eligible ECU Courses and Programs

All individual courses related to ECU Micro-credential programs are eligible for StrongerBC future skills grant funding:

Creative Technology

Web + Digital Design

Teaching + Learning in Art and Design

How to register for a course using your future skills grant funding

  1. Make sure you are eligible for funding
  2. Check out the list of eligible courses offered this term
  3. Pick the course you're interested in*
  4. Fill out and submit your future skills grant application to register for the course
  5. Allow up to 5 business days to receive your registration confirmation

* If you are interested in enrolling in more than one course, you will need to submit separate applications for each.

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Important Application + Registration Policies

Submit your application at least 7 days before the course start date. Applications that are sent in after this time frame will not be processed.

This grant cannot be applied retroactively. We are unable to issue refunds to individuals who have already registered for courses eligible for grant funding.

Waitlist
For courses that have already reached a maximum number of registered seats, you will be placed on a waitlist. If a seat becomes available, CS staff will contact you before we register you in the course.

Course cancellations
In the event that a course is cancelled, CS staff will contact you with further information.

Course withdrawals
All Continuing Studies registration policies apply.

Eligible Costs

The StrongerBC future skills grant is subject to a $3,500 lifetime maximum per learner limit.

Eligible costs include:

  • Tuition
  • Mandatory fees
  • Course materials purchased after course registration open date June 27, 2023 may be eligible for reimbursement
Purchasing course materials and applying for reimbursement

Getting Started:

  1. Find the Materials Guide for your course to see what is required and/or recommended to purchase. Only materials listed in the guide are eligible for reimbursement.
  2. Look for the maximum approved reimbursement amount for material costs listed for your course.
  3. Track your expenses per course, and keep all your original receipts. Please note: expenses that exceed the maximum amount for each course will not be reimbursed. Additionally, expenses that exceed your $3500 lifetime limit will not be reimbursed.
  4. Submit one reimbursement claim per course*.

*Note: The reimbursement process will open later in the Fall 2023 term. We will notify registered students when it is available.


Receipt Requirements:

We will ask you to provide digital scans or photos of your receipts. To prepare for the reimbursement process, please ensure that your receipts:

  • Clearly show an itemized list of materials that are eligible for reimbursement
  • Are dated between the Fall 2023 registration open date June 27 and reimbursement submission deadline (TBA)
  • Clearly show the vendor name, date, subtotal, taxes, total and payment method. Payments made by debit or credit card should include debit/credit card receipts as well as itemized receipts. If the receipt is in a foreign currency, include a copy of the credit card statement showing the currency exchange rate and the Canadian dollar amount charged

Click to view examples of acceptable receipts.


    What to expect for the reimbursement process:

    • Reimbursement will be issued in Canadian dollars via cheque or direct deposit
    • Please allow 4-6 weeks for processing
    • Any receipts not in Canadian funds will be converted to Canadian amount using the Bank of Canada conversion rate based on the receipt date

    Questions?

    For more information, or for assistance selecting courses that best suit your interests and goals, please contact us or book an appointment with an advisor!