Youth who have aged out of government care and want to pursue post-secondary education will have an additional $250,000 from the Youth Futures Education Fund (YFEF).
This will assist them with additional expenses like rent, utilities, and groceries.
“The Youth Futures Education Fund is about providing extra support to ensure former youth in care can focus on their studies to achieve their career ambitions. The fund shines a light on our government and private efforts working in partnership to empower former youth in care to cross the finish line and build a brighter future for themselves,” said Melanie Mark, Minister of Advanced Education, Skills and Training.
The fund is used for other financial supports that could also include textbooks or emergency situations.
The average amount students receive from YFEF is approximately $1,300.
Students who meet eligibility requirements for the program must be using the Provincial Tuition Waiver Program while studying at one of the 25 public post-secondary institutions in B.C. or at the Native Education College.
Eligible students, up to their 27th birthday, can also tap into the Agreements with Young Adults program to help with housing, child care, tuition, and health care, while they return to school or attend rehabilitation, vocational or an approved life-skills program.
As of the end of April, there were approximately 5,600 children and youth in care in the province.