StrongerBC Future Skills Grant

The StrongerBC future skills grant is open to British Columbians aged 19 and over. It covers up to $3,500 of eligible short-term skills training at public post-secondary institutions. If you’re approved, you can take an eligible program as long as you complete it within 52 weeks.

Seats for 2024-2025 programs are very limited. Applications will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.

Apply

Applications will open August 7.

To apply for the grant with SFU Continuing Studies, follow these steps:

1. Before you apply

  1. Check your eligibility for the grant as a B.C. resident. 
  2. Check your desired program’s eligibility
  3. Update or create your student account with SFU Continuing Studies. Ensure that you fill in your personal information, including your social insurance number. 
  4. Ensure that you can complete the program within 52 weeks.
  5. Ensure that you can cover all remaining program costs yourself. See this page for more information.  
  6. Do not register for courses in advance. The grant cannot be applied retroactively.
  7. If you have already taken courses and/or are enrolled in the program, you can apply for the grant by reapplying to the program through the process below. (Note: the grant cannot be applied retroactively to courses already taken.) 
  8. If you received the grant last year and have funds remaining, you need to re-apply through the process below. You are not re-approved for 2024. 

2. When you apply

Applications open on August 7

You must apply with both Continuing Studies  and the StrongerBC future skills grant program.

  1. Apply to your chosen program.
    On the SFU Continuing Studies website, apply to the program by clicking the “Apply to program using future skills grant” button on the program page. Applications will open August 7. See list of eligible programs.
  2. Confirm eligibility and apply for the grant with the StrongerBC future skills grant program. A link to the application portal will be provided by August 7. You will need to log in with your BC Services Card account.
  3. Watch for an email confirmation from Continuing Studies.
    We will review applications on a first-come, first-served basis and get back to you as soon as we can. 

3. After you're approved

  1. Check your email to determine the amount of grant funding you have been allotted (this is based on your lifetime maximum and your current progress through the program).
  2. Log in to your student account and:
    1. Go to My Account / My Programs
    2. Click on your program name
    3. Browse required courses 
    4. Register in sufficient courses to spend your entire grant amount. See this page for more information.
    5. When you check out, use the “pay later” option in the drop-down menu. You must register in courses within 5 business days of approval to guarantee your funding. Seats are limited. 
  3. Look for an email with any outstanding payment balances owing.
  4. Pay balance owing within 5 business days of receipt. You must pay this balance or be withdrawn for non-payment and your grant will be forfeited. 
  5. If you need to withdraw, we can provide a refund only if requested at least five business days before your first course starts. After that time, your grant funds for the entire program will be forfeited.

4. After you start your program

  1. If you need to withdraw, email learn@sfu.ca. Note that we cannot provide refunds.
  2. Register for any remaining courses in your program when you’re ready. These are not covered by the grant, so you pay as you register.
  3. If you need textbooks and you have sufficient grant funds still available, submit a claim to Continuing Studies no later than five days after your first course begins. Please email learn@sfu.ca to request the claim form. (You can purchase textbooks directly from publishers or bookstores.)
  4. You will receive a T4A form from SFU for the future skills grant funding, along with a T2202 for tuition paid. Please consult the Canada Revenue Agency for tax advice.
  5. If you have other questions, email learn@sfu.ca

Student eligibility

You must:

  • Be a Canadian Citizen, Permanent Resident, or Protected Person entitled to study in Canada
  • Be a B.C. resident and currently live in B.C.
  • Be 19 years of age or older or have graduated high school by the start of the program
  • Provide consent for SFU to disclose learner information to the Province
  • 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 future skills grant)
  • Commit to completing your program within 52 weeks and pay remaining program fees if applicable

Note that:

  • The grant may have tax implications and you will receive a T4A slip
  • The grant is subject to a lifetime maximum of $3,500
  • Five days before the start of your first course, your entire grant is non-refundable