This past year has been an exciting one in the post-secondary space with improved funding and access giving former youth in care of all ages more confidence and opportunity to pursue their education. In August 2023, the BC government removed an existing age restriction for the BC’s Provincial Tuition Waiver program, giving those who turn or have turned 19 in the care of the BC Ministry of Children and Family Development or an Indigenous Child and Family Service Agency the opportunity to access education through a tuition waiver regardless of age or time spent in care.
With more support available to former youth in care of all ages, the Youth Futures Education Fund continues to provide barrier-free access to funds for basic living expenses like rent, food, transportation and childcare, and for emergencies that happen in everyone’s lives from time to time. By addressing gaps students may encounter in a time of high cost of living and inflation, we can help ensure everyone wanting to pursue an education can do so.
The 2022-23 Annual Report highlights the successes of this critical program including:
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- Over $550,000 to 537 students
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- 36% of fund recipients Indigenous
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- 89% of students receiving funding are continuing or have completed their post-secondary education
View Youth Futures Education Fund Annual Report.
The Youth Futures Education Fund was collaboratively established by: Coast Capital, The Province of British Columbia, and the Office of the Representative for Children and Youth. The Youth Futures Education Fund is guided by an Advisory Committee, held at the Vancouver Foundation and is administered by United Way British Columbia – working with communities in BC’s North, Interior, Lower Mainland and Central & Vancouver Island.