What if I'm on social assistance?

The Ministry of Social Service (MSS) doesn't have to subsidize education. But they will financially support some clients while they go to some training and education courses. In order to get MSS support while you attend a training or education program, it is important to talk to your financial aid worker or a rehabilitation worker BEFORE you sign up for any course.

The thing that is most likely to persuade the ministry to support you is showing your worker how this course you want to take is part of an overall plan. For example, say your goal is to have a regular full-time job that pays enough so you can support yourself and your kids. In order to do that you may need to:

• build up your self-confidence
• get your high school diploma
• find out what jobs there are that interest you
• go for further training

You can take a course that will help you do these things. Many EIC project-based training programs will also help you do this.

If your worker approves your course they will work out a contract, telling you what MSS is willing to pay for while you are in school. They may continue your child care and medical coverage, give you money for books and transportation, continue your living allowance or a combination of all of these.

Once you have the ministry approval form, you can sign up for your course without losing your benefits. You do not have to pay for project-based training. If you are going to a college or institute in a program that requires tuition, the ministry approval will allow you to apply for all the grants, bursaries, scholarships and loans without having what you receive deducted from your ministry payments.

As with all other ministry decisions, there are general guidelines. Then individual workers make decisions within those guidelines. This means that what is possible varies from region to region, office to office, and worker to worker. Remember that you can appeal any decision. You have 30 days after a decision is made to ask for an Appeal Kit, which contains a copy of the GAIN Act and Regulations and the forms you need. You can get someone to help you - a friend who has appealed a MSS decision, a welfare advocacy group, or the Legal Aid office in your community. If there is no welfare advocacy group or Legal Aid office in your community, or you don't know how to find them, you can get help by calling the Law Information Line (660-4673). Unfortunately this' service is in Vancouver and does not have a toll free number, so you may have to pay a long distance charge.

Types of financial aid

There are several types of financial aid available. Schools may offer all, some, or none of them. Often a school will mail you a list of financial awards and how to apply. High grades are not the only criteria for these awards. Companies, unions, service organizations, professional associations, individuals, and the schools themselves often establish funds to help students finance their education. One example of a corporate award from the BCIT Student Financial Aid and Awards booklet is:

BC Gas Inc.

A bursary of $400 is awarded to a student in the Petroleum Technology who resides in an area serviced by BC Gas.

There are many different pockets of money available for education. You should apply for all those for which you are eligible.