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Eligibility For A Publicly Funded Education

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Determination of Eligibility for Funded K-12 Education in British Columbia

In order for a student to be eligible for a provincially funded education in British Columbia, the student and his or her parent/guardian must meet specific criteria. This criteria is set at the provincial level and not by individual school districts.  

Please visit the “Eligibility of Students for Operating Grant Funding” on the Government of British Columbia page for a more detailed description of provincial education funding criteria. 

Below is a summary of the categories under which students may be eligible for provincial funding in order to attend a public school in BC. 

Ordinarily Resident:

  • Children who, along with their guardian(s), are ordinarily resident in British Columbia

Refugee Status:

  • A child who has been granted Conventional Refugee status abroad prior to their arrival to Canada
  • A child who had made a claim for refugee status in Canada and whose claim has not yet been determined

Youth Detained in Custody Centre:

  • A child who is detained in custody in a youth custody centre

Deemed Resident:

  • A child who has entered into an agreement with the director under the Child Family and Community Service Act

Parent/Guardian Work Permit:

  • A child who is in British Columbia with his or her guardian if the guardian:
  • Has been lawfully admitted to Canada for temporary residence and is authorized to work for a period of one year or more, and is, or will be employed for at least 20 hours per week

Parent/Guardian Study Permit:

  • Has been lawfully admitted to Canada and is authorized to study for a period of one year or more, and meets specific criteria

Educator Exchange Program:

  • Parent/guardian has been lawfully admitted to Canada and is participating in an educator exchange program with a public school in BC

Parent/Guardian official representative of foreign government, visiting forces:

  • Parent/guardian is carrying out official duties under the authority of the Visiting Forces Act or as an accredited diplomatic agent or other representative of a foreign government in British Columbia

Residents with uncertain or no immigrant status:

 
Students who do not meet one of the above criteria are not eligible for a publicly funded education in British Columbia and may wish to enroll as fee paying International Students.

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