Youth Futures Education Fund
For those formerly in government care pursuing post-secondary education without family or other support can seem like an impossible dream.
Education is expensive. Basic living costs for post-secondary students are around $26,400 a year for things like rent, phone, internet, transit and food. At 19, youth in care ‘age out’ of the system losing all support from their foster parents, social workers, government programs, along with any financial assistance. Other young people may have a family to fall back on, but former youth in care often have no one, making pursuing post-secondary education and future careers challenging.
A lack of guidance and support from parental figures as well as facing a disproportionate gap in the financial support they receive means few consider the path to higher education. And that affects everyone.
- 5,000+ children are under government care in the Province of B.C.
- ~40% of B.C.’s homeless population were in government care at some point in their lives
- ~½ of youth turning 19 and leaving care this year will be on income assistance within six months
Post-secondary education helps former youth in care realize their potential and establish a network of friends, colleagues, and mentors. Everyone should have the same opportunities to pursue this reality.
Realizing potential
While the Provincial Tuition Waiver Program dismisses tuition fees for BC students who are former youth in care attending a BC public post-secondary institution, it isn’t enough. United Way BC Youth Futures Education Fund helps students with basic living expenses so they can concentrate on their studies.
- $20-$6,500 is the range of allocations for students receiving funding
- ~3,700 students attending college or university on a tuition waiver have received over
$4.4 million in Youth Futures support
- 36% of students receiving Youth Futures funding for basic living expenses are Indigenous
Older adults
Thanks to a recent expansion of the Provincial Tuition Waiver Program removing all age criteria, many individuals formerly in government care who did not have the opportunity to pursue education when they left school are now able to do so.
Along with attending a post-secondary institution, they can be caring for young families, needing to drive long distances to get to class and working, all of which makes it hard to concentrate on schooling. The Youth Futures Education Fund helps by providing barrier-free funds for childcare, transportation expenses and more.
Read RavenSong’s story to learn how we can help.
Need support with basic living expenses?
The Youth Futures Education Fund provides living expenses to youth who have aged out of the foster care system and are attending a post-secondary institution on a tuition waiver. Contact your post-secondary institution below to see if you’re eligible. If you are unable to reach the appropriate person at your institution, contact Maya Graves-Bacchus at MayaG@uwbc.ca.
Tuition and other supports
The Provincial Tuition Waiver Program waives tuition and eligible fees for BC students who are current or former youth in care studying full- or part-time at the below graduate level at a BC public post-secondary institution, the Native Education College, or one of the approved union-based trades training providers. Learn more about eligibility requirements. A $3,500 annual Learning for Future Grant to support educational costs, such as books, computers and supplies is also available. Learn more about the Learning for Future Grant.
About
At United Way BC, we are united for kids and youth in need. Since 2015, United Way BC, through the Youth Futures Education Fund, has supported almost 3,700 students with over $4.4 million in vital basic living supports so they can succeed in post-secondary education and beyond.
The Youth Futures Education Fund was collaboratively established in 2014 by: Coast Capital, The Province of British Columbia, and the Office of the Representative for Children and Youth. The Youth Futures Education Fund is guided by an Advisory Committee and held at the Vancouver Foundation.
(Note: Youth Futures Education social media channels are closed.)
Blog
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Mature students thriving thanks to Youth Futures
More former youth in care attending post-secondary education thanks to Youth Futures Education Fund.
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Exploring a bright future – YFEF in the North
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Learning and laughter – BC sector professionals gather to support children and youth
Contact Us
Please contact Maya Graves-Bacchus (Project Coordinator for the Youth Futures Education Fund) at mayag@uwbc.ca for general inquiries.
United for youth in need.
