Paying for post-secondary school
School is a big investment that you’ll benefit from for years. Figuring out how to pay for school can be overwhelming. We’re here to make it easier for you. Here you’ll find all the information you need on tuition and fees. And we’ll guide you through financial aid options and other funding opportunities.
Financial options checklist
There’s a lot to keep track of when it comes to paying for school. You need to get loan and grant applications in on time for each different option. And it’s up to you to make sure you apply for all financial aid options. You can use our handy checklist to keep track of all the ways to pay for school. With this list as your guide, you’ll stay on track.
Scholarships, awards and bursaries
Last year we gave VIU students $6.7 million in scholarships, awards and bursaries. How do you get scholarship? You can apply for all awards with one application in the spring and one in the fall. You need only a VIU student number to apply.
Government student loans and grants
There are many different grants and loans available to help you pay for your studies at VIU. There are options for full-time and part-time students. There are loans and grants for students in academic programs and trades programs. And there are grants for adult upgrading courses.
External awards and funding
VIU Awards and bursaries are not your only source of financial aid. Many organizations administer scholarships, awards and bursaries. Some are based on what program you’re taking. Some are based on merit, and others are based on need. We’ve gathered a list of $21.2 million in external funding opportunities.
You don’t need top grades to qualify for funding
While it’s true that good grades mean you qualify for certain scholarships, grades are not the only criteria for awards. And not all scholarships are as competitive as you’d expect. To improve your chances, pay close attention to what funders are looking for, and make sure you supply the documents they want to see.
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On-campus employment
Once you’re a student at VIU, you have access to all sorts of opportunities to earn money. These include:
- Work-Op
- Non Work-Op including research
- Canada Summer Jobs
Career Studio can connect you to these opportunities and help you with your resumé and cover letter. They also host career fairs and workshops to help you work toward your career goals.
Need Help? We’re here for you
We’re here to help you find the funding resources that work for you. The Financial Aid & Awards office can connect you with student loans and grant options, external awards or campus employment. If you want extra support navigating your options, contact us.
Tuition and aid frequently asked questions
There are both weekly and lifetime limits to the amount of funding students can receive. The total amount you are eligible to receive will depend on the level of study and whether or not you have dependent children.
See the student aid BC website for details.
It can take up to 6 weeks for Student Aid BC to process your application. The latest you can apply for a student loan is 6 weeks before your program end date.
For full instructions on how to apply for a BC Student loan, we recommend looking at the Student BC website for details
Yes. we offer scholarships, awards and bursaries. For more details and instructions on how to apply for scholarships, see the VIU scholarships, awards and bursaries website.
In general, you must match the following criteria to qualify for scholarships:
- Maintain a minimum GPA of 3.50 (A- average)
- Maintain a course load of 80% (12 credit for most programs)
Individual scholarships often have their own set of requirements. We recommend reviewing the application criteria for each scholarship you are interested in before applying.
Have a look at the VIU scholarships, awards and bursaries page to get started.
Yes. Although most financial aid is available only to Canadian students, there are scholarships that international students can apply for. To apply, you must be accepted into a program and have received your student number.
See the international scholarships and awards page to view the criteria for each award and instructions on how to apply.