The StrongerBC future skills grant is for 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.
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
Important Application + Registration Policies
- You must complete both the ECU course application and apply for your grant funds through the Future Skills Grant Management System (FSGMS) via the BC Services Card app at least 7 days before the course start date. Applications submitted after this time frame will not be processed. After completing both steps, please allow up to 5 business days to receive your application approval.
- This grant cannot be applied retroactively. We are unable to issue refunds to individuals who have already registered for courses eligible for grant funding.
Tuition Fees
If the available funds in your FSG account do not cover the full cost of the course, any available funds will be applied to tuition fees first. You will be responsible for paying any remaining tuition balance within 48 hours of application approval. If payment is not received within this timeframe, your seat may be released to another applicant.
Course Materials
For courses with tuition under $3,500, you may choose to include material costs in your funding request at the time of application. If your available FSG funds do not cover the full cost of the course, they will be applied to tuition first, and material costs may not be covered. If you choose to opt out of including material costs, you cannot request reimbursement for them later.
Waitlist
For courses that have already reached a maximum number of registered seats, you can choose to be placed on a waitlist. If a seat becomes available, CS staff will contact you with further information.
Course cancellations
In the event that a course is cancelled, CS staff will contact you with further information.
Course withdrawals
General Continuing Studies registration policies apply.
Processing Time
After completing the ECU course application and applying for your grant funds through the Future Skills Grant Management System (FSGMS) via the BC Services Card app, please allow up to 5 business days to receive your application approval.
If the available funds in your FSG account do not cover the full cost of tuition, you will be responsible for paying the difference within 48 hours of application approval. If payment is not received within this timeframe, your seat will be released to another applicant.