If You Want to Appeal Your Assessment

Appeal categories

Which StudentAid BC policy are you appealing?

The forms for each appeal category are available in PDF format.

Appeal categories – detailed information

All appeals must be sent to the appeal unit at StudentAid BC in Victoria.

StudentAid BC funding over the maximum funding limits will not be issued under any appeal category or circumstances.

Appeal Category 1 – Students with permanent disabilities: 40 per cent of a full-time course load requirement

Students with permanent disabilities can take 40 per cent of a full-time course load and qualify for full-time student financial assistance. For other students, the minimum course load is 60 per cent.

To request full-time funding for a 40 per cent course load because of a permanent disability, you must submit a 40 per cent course load for students with a permanent disability appeal form [186kb] and the required documentation.

Some students with permanent disabilities who receive a living allowance do not need full-time student funding. If you have a permanent disability, are taking less than 60 per cent of a full course load, and only need funding to pay tuition and book costs, we recommend that you apply for the Canada Student Grant for Part-Time Studies. You can apply for this grant at your school.

If the part-time grant is not appropriate for you, and you want full-time student assistance while taking less than the required full-time course load, please submit a 40 per cent course load for students with permanent disabilities appeal form.  Send this form to StudentAid BC with the following:

• A detailed letter explaining:
  • Why you cannot take 60 per cent of full-time course load and can only study at the 40 per cent course-load level.
  • Why you are not applying for the high-need part-time Canada study grant.
  • What other financial options you have investigated.
• Proof of eligibility for disability benefits under the persons with disabilities program through the Ministry of Housing and Social Development.
• One of the following:
  • A medical report or letter from a licensed medical practitioner in the field relevant to your disability confirming that the disability is permanent or is expected to be permanent, and that due to the disability you are unable to take 60 per cent of a full-time course load. The report or letter must clearly explain the educational barriers created by your disability.
  • A learning disability assessment [43kb] that clearly identifies you as a student with a permanent disability, as above.
• Clarification of the number of semesters required to complete your post-secondary study credential at the 40 per cent course-load level.
• Copies of all your post-secondary transcripts.

If you have not submitted your StudentAid BC application, mark the 40 per cent box on question 44 of your application. You will be sent a detailed letter asking you to submit a verification of permanent disability form [236kb] so you can be considered for full-time student funding at a reduced course load.

Appeal Category 2 – Additional transportation allowance

If you receive student aid, you are expected to travel to and from school by the most economical means. As part of your StudentAid BC financial need assessment, you are automatically given a transportation allowance that equals the cost of a monthly public transit/bus pass.

If there is no local public transit where you live, or if you must use a motor vehicle to travel to and from your school because of special circumstances, you may be eligible for an additional transportation allowance.

You must own and/or operate the motor vehicle that takes you to and from school, and it must be insured for the correct usage.

Submit your appeal request using the additional transportation allowance appeal form [206kb].

If you are in a study program with a mandatory practicum or clinical placement and need to use a motor vehicle to get there from home, you will automatically be given a higher transportation allowance. The information we need is provided to us by the financial aid staff at your school, and no appeal is needed.

If you could move closer to your school for less or similar living costs, you will only be considered for the additional transportation allowance under exceptional circumstances. It is important that you provide details and documentation of your circumstances to support your appeal.

Appeal Category 3 – Assets

Under this category you may ask that certain assets be excluded from your StudentAid BC financial need assessment. You or your spouse or common-law partner must own these assets.

If you cannot sell your assets or use them as collateral due to legal reasons such as divorce or separation, please provide legal documentation of this in your StudentAid BC appeal.

Submitting an appeal request is no guarantee that assets will be excluded from your financial need assessment.

In all the following sub-categories, “you” means you or your spouse or common-law partner.

Sub-Category 3.1 – Liquid assets including bonds, guaranteed income certificates, stocks, pension plan funds etc.

To ask that liquid assets be excluded from your StudentAid BC financial need assessment, submit an assets appeal form [216kb] and include the following:

• A letter explaining why the asset should be excluded, and what other options you have looked at to finance your post-secondary education.
• A letter from your financial institution with:
  • the original purchase date of the assets
  • the date of maturity
  • the redemption regulations
  • whether the assets can be borrowed against
  • the amount currently invested
  • the amount owing
  • the current net worth.
• A letter from your brokerage firm stating the current value of stocks and shares, and the possibility of selling them at the time of the appeal.
• Documentation that your pension fund or plan is covered under pension legislation and that you have been a member of this fund or plan for more than two years.

3.2 Business assets

To ask that business assets be excluded from your StudentAid BC financial need assessment, submit an assets appeal form [216kb] and include the following:

• A letter explaining why the asset should be excluded.
• If applicable, an explanation of why you have not tried to sell the business or have not explored other options for financing your education.
• A copy of your most recent financial statement.
• A letter from a financial institution saying whether or not you can use the asset as collateral for a personal loan.
• A letter from an accountant stating the value of your self-employed business asset.
• A copy of your most recent income tax return.
• If you have tried to sell the business, include real-estate documentation and information showing whether or not any offers were made.

Self-employed business assets may be audited by StudentAid BC to verify that you need the business asset to earn pre-study or study-period income.

3.3 Motor vehicle assets

If you own or lease a motor vehicle that you think should be excluded from the StudentAid BC financial need assessment, or its value reduced, you can submit a motor vehicle assets appeal form [182kb].

You can appeal a motor vehicle asset for these reasons only:

• permanent disability
• medical condition
• required for employment.

Your appeal must include a detailed letter explaining why the value of the motor vehicle should be reduced or excluded from your financial need assessment, and what other options you have looked at to finance your education.

It must also include one of the following:

• If the appeal is for disability reasons, proof of permanent disability and supporting medical documentation that identifies the disability-related barriers that are overcome by your use of the motor vehicle.
• If the appeal is for medical reasons, a letter from a doctor explaining why you require a vehicle valued at more than $5,000 and how this vehicle overcomes the barriers to access caused by your medical condition.
• If the vehicle is needed for employment, a letter on business letterhead from you or your spouse's or common-law partner's employer explaining why you need a vehicle valued at more than $5,000.

3.4 Other fixed assets

If you have other fixed assets not covered in any other appeal category, you may ask that the asset be excluded from your StudentAid BC financial need assessment by submitting an assets appeal form [216kb].

“Other fixed assets” usually means business equipment and machinery.

Your appeal must include the following:

• A letter from you or your spouse or common-law partner explaining why the asset should be excluded from your financial need assessment, and what other options you have looked at to finance your education.
• Proof of attempts to sell the asset.
• A letter from a financial institution stating whether or not you or your spouse or common-law partner can use the asset as collateral for a personal loan.

3.5 Real estate, revenue property and recreational property

To ask that real estate, revenue property or recreational property be excluded from your StudentAid BC financial need assessment, submit an assets appeal form [216kb] and include the following:

• A letter explaining why the value of the property should be excluded from your financial need assessment, and what other options you have looked at to finance your education.
• A letter from a financial institution stating whether or not you can use the asset as collateral for a personal loan.

If you own property that has recently been for sale and you appeal to have this asset excluded, you must also provide the following:

• A copy of the real estate listing agreement.
• A letter from your real estate firm with:
  • the date of the listing
  • the asking price
  • why the property could not be sold
  • if any offers were received.
• A letter from the financial institution that holds the mortgage on the property, stating the principal balance outstanding.

If you recently bought real estate and appeal to have this asset excluded, you must also provide a statement including the amount of the down payment you made, and why these funds were not put towards your education.

3.6 Registered retirement savings plan

Under a federal program called the Lifelong Learning Plan, you can make tax-free RRSP withdrawals to pay the costs of full-time training or education for yourself or your spouse. The Lifelong Learning Plan allows an RRSP holder to withdraw up to $20,000 in total, with no tax withheld at source. Withdrawals can be made for up to four years, with a maximum annual withdrawal limit of $10,000. As long as Lifelong Learning Plan withdrawals are repaid to the RRSP within the specified repayment period, there are no tax consequences.

B.C. students are encouraged to use the Lifelong Learning Plan to finance their post-secondary education.

If you are unable to withdraw Lifelong Learning Plan funds from your RRSP, you may ask that the value of your RRSP be excluded from your StudentAid BC financial need assessment. To appeal under this category, submit an assets appeal form [216kb] and the following:

• A letter explaining why your RRSP should be excluded from your financial need assessment, and what other options you have looked at to finance your education.
• Proof that you have asked for an RRSP withdrawal under the Lifelong Learning Plan.
• A letter from your financial institution explaining why you cannot withdraw RRSP funds under the Lifelong Learning Plan.
• A letter from the financial institution with this information about your RRSP:
  • original purchase date
  • date of maturity
  • redemption regulations
  • whether the assets can be borrowed against
  • the amount currently invested and the amount owing
  • the current net worth.

Appeal Category 4 – British Columbia residency

If you think you should be considered a British Columbia resident to meet the StudentAid BC B.C. residency criteria, you can submit an appeal using the “other” category of appeal form [201kb].

Include the following with your appeal form:

• The reasons you should be considered a resident of British Columbia for student loan eligibility purposes.
• A list of the provinces and countries where you have lived for the past 10 years.
• A description of your activities (work, study, etc.) during the past 10 years.
• An explanation of why you cannot or have not applied to your previous province of residency for student financial assistance.
• A denial letter from your previous province of residency explaining why you were not approved for student financial assistance, if applicable.
• A copy of your lease, rental or tenancy agreement in British Columbia.
• Copies of your utility receipts (hydro, water, gas, phone, cable, etc.) paid in British Columbia.
• A copy of transcripts from post-secondary schools you have attended.
• Documentation from a doctor about your medical reasons for claiming B.C. residency, if applicable.

Appeal Category 5 – B.C. student loan lifetime maximum

If you have reached the B.C. student loan lifetime maximum limit of $50,000 and need more B.C. student loan funding to complete your program, you can ask for an appeal by submitting a B.C. student loan lifetime maximum appeal form [173kb].

Include the following with your appeal form:

• A letter that explains why you need to exceed the lifetime maximum, and that gives details on:
  • your post-secondary education history (programs and periods of study) to date
  • the expected completion date of your current program, for which you need more B.C. student loan funds
  • your future plans for education and employment.
• Copies of all post-secondary transcripts (faxed copies will not be accepted).
• A letter from your faculty/department head confirming your ability to complete your current program of study, how many semesters are remaining, and the estimated completion date.

Appeal Category 6 – Credit screening

If your StudentAid BC application failed the credit check and your financial difficulties were due to circumstances beyond your control, you can request an appeal using the credit screening appeal form [193kb].

Circumstances that may be considered include:

• A loss or reduction in income or earnings due to layoff, illness, change in family or marital situation, or inability to work because of medical reasons.
• Unexpected or exceptional expenses such as child care, caring for a child with disabilities, or caring for elderly, sick relatives.

Include the following with your appeal form:

• A letter explaining the circumstances that resulted in your poor credit history, the date your financial difficulties began, and what other options you have looked at to finance your education.
• Documents applicable to your circumstances, such as:
  • a copy of your divorce papers
  • a copy of your discharge of bankruptcy papers
  • receipts for any exceptional expenses that led to your financial difficulties
  • medical documentation outlining why you can no longer work in your current occupation
  • a copy of your layoff letter from your employer
  • proof of the amount of disability benefits that you are receiving
  • documentation that you have registered with a credit agency.

Appeal Category 7 – Debt management appeals

The following B.C. government programs are available to help students and former students with repayment assistance:

• The British Columbia interest relief program
• The British Columbia loan forgiveness program

If you want to appeal a decision in any of these programs, see the sub-categories below.

If you are no longer eligible for financial assistance due to bankruptcy you can ask for an appeal for B.C. student loan reinstatement due to bankruptcy under Appeal Category 8 - B.C. student loan reinstatement due to bankruptcy.

7.1 British Columbia interest relief program

To ask for an appeal of your eligibility for the B.C. interest relief program, submit the “other” category of appeal form [201kb] and include the following:

• A detailed letter explaining the exceptional circumstances you would like considered.
• A copy of your B.C. interest relief application form that was not approved.
• A copy of the letter declining your B.C. interest relief application, either from the lender who holds your student loan or from the B.C. Student Loan Service Bureau.
• Supporting documentation for the three months of your gross income reported on the B.C. interest relief application form.
  • Gross income includes all taxable and non-taxable income from all sources including employment, child and spousal support, alimony/maintenance payments, monetary gifts, income from investments, and income from government benefits such as employment insurance, workers’ compensation, B.C. Benefits etc.
  • Supporting documentation (proof of income) can include:
    • pay stubs
    • employment insurance statements
    • social assistance statements
    • a letter from your employer or your spouse’s/common-law partner’s employer
    • a letter from a person from whom you received a monetary gift (a monetary gift also includes any ongoing support you may receive from a relative).
• If your income for the three-month period is zero, a letter from a professional third party (not from a relative) explaining how you can survive on no income.
• Proof of exceptional expenses such as emergency health-related costs.
• Proof from your insurance company stating that the emergency health-related expense has not and will not be reimbursed by them.

7.2   British Columbia loan forgiveness program

To ask for an appeal of your eligibility for the B.C. loan forgiveness program, submit a category of “other” category of appeal form [201kb], and include the following:

• A detailed letter explaining/clarifying the exceptional circumstances that the student would like considered; and how your circumstances set you apart from all other students.
• Any documentation to support your situation.

Appeal Category 8 – B.C. student loan reinstatement due to bankruptcy

If you are restricted from receiving student assistance due to bankruptcy, you can ask for an appeal to have your circumstance reviewed. Please refer to if you declare bankruptcy to learn more.

Your appeal will be forwarded to the appeal committee.

Appeal Category 9 – Permanent disability-related appeal considerations

If you have exceptional circumstances or extraordinary expenses related to your permanent disability, please refer to the “other” category of appeal form [201kb].  

Circumstances and expenses for which you can request an appeal in this category include the following:

• If your permanent disability prevents you from working during the pre-study period, you can ask to have your pre-study period contribution waived.
• If you have high living costs or exceptional expenses related to your permanent disability, you can ask to have these costs considered when calculating your financial need.
• If you are a dependent (Group A) student or if you must live with your parents due to your permanent disability, you can ask to have the expected parental contribution reduced or waived in your StudentAid BC financial need assessment.
• If you have a motor vehicle that has been modified to accommodate your permanent disability, you can ask to have this asset excluded from your financial need assessment.
• If you have bought disability-related goods or services not covered by any other funding source, you may be eligible to have these items reviewed as exceptional expenses. Items that are not considered in the standard needs assessment include, but are not limited to:
  • disability-related medicine
  • specialized footwear and eyewear
  • special dietetic requirements
  • specialized apparel
  • attendant care and/or specialized transportation.

To have these costs taken into consideration, please refer to the “other” category of appeal form [201kb].

Appeal Category 10 – Exceptional expenses

If you are not approved for StudentAid BC funding, you may ask for an appeal if you had exceptional expenses – such as unforeseen emergency medical, dental or optical costs – during your pre-study or study period. These expenses must have created financial hardship that affected your ability to start or continue your studies.

Standard monthly expenses and credit card or loan repayments are not considered to be exceptional expenses.

To ask for an appeal in this category, submit the “other” category of appeal form [201kb] and include the following:

• A letter explaining the nature of your exceptional expenses, when they occurred, the amount you paid, and why these expenses were necessary during your pre-study or study period.
• Proof of payment for your exceptional expenses (receipts, cancelled cheques, or a copy of your bank statement).
• A copy of your medical/dental/health insurance plan.
• A letter or document from your health insurance company verifying that your exceptional expenses are not covered by your health insurance plan, and that the payments or a portion of the payments you made for these expenses will not be reimbursed by your plan.

Most B.C. post-secondary institutions stipulate that students must have medical/dental/health insurance coverage. A copy of your insurance plan is required in your appeal because we may audit your medical, dental or optical expense claims. To avoid receiving an overaward, make it clear if your insurance plan will be reimbursing you for any part of these costs.

Appeal Category 11 – Modified group B status

11.1 Overseas conflict or emergency

If you would normally be classified as a Group A (dependent) student by StudentAid BC but you are unable to contact or locate your parents, step-parents, sponsor or legal guardian due to a conflict or emergency (such war, famine or natural disaster) in the country where they live, you may be eligible for Group B (independent students) status .

To ask for an appeal, submit a Modifed Group B status appeal form [184kb] and be sure to include the following:

• A detailed letter explaining why you are unable to contact your parents, step-parents, sponsor or legal guardian due to a conflict or emergency in the country where they live.
• A letter from a third party (such as a church or consulate) that confirms these circumstances of conflict or emergency.

11.2 Family rift (dispute or estrangement)

If you would normally be classified as a Group A (dependent) student by StudentAid BC, but you no longer communicate with your family due to an irreconcilable rift, you may be eligible for modified Group B (independent students) status. Unless a sudden serious situation has arisen recently, the family rift must have existed for at least one year before you applied to StudentAid BC.

To request an appeal, submit a Modifed Group B status appeal form [184kb] and be sure to include the following:

• A notarized statement from you explaining the nature of the family rift, how long it has existed, and why it continues.
• A detailed letter from your parents, step-parents, sponsor or legal guardian explaining the nature of the family rift, how long it has existed and why it continues (if it is not possible for you to obtain a parental letter, see Note 1 below.)
• A letter on business letterhead from a professional third party (not a member of your immediate or extended family) testifying to the truthfulness of your explanation and providing an independent assessment of the rift situation. This letter must state how long the third party has known you and in what capacity (see Note 2 below).

Note 1: If a parental letter cannot be obtained, you must submit two letters from professional third parties.

Note 2: The “third party” letter(s) could come from any of the following:

• counsellor
• psychologist
• religious adviser
• doctor
• teacher
• social worker
• law enforcement officer

Appeal Category 12 – Multiple withdrawals from studies

As of Aug. 1, 2006, if you have withdrawn from full-time studies twice while receiving StudentAid BC funding or having interest-free loan status, you will be denied further assistance. To reinstate your eligibility, you must successfully complete two consecutive semesters or one academic year of study without using any StudentAid BC funds.

If you had to withdraw from studies due to unforeseen and extenuating circumstances beyond your control, you can ask for an appeal by submitting a multiple withdrawals or unsuccessful terms or semesters appeal form [178kb].

In your appeal, be sure to include the following:

• A letter explaining:
  1. The reasons for each withdrawal, with documentation that supports these reasons.
  2. Why you should be issued further student funding.
  3. The expected completion date of your study program.
  4. Your plans for further education and employment.
  5. Copies of your post-secondary transcripts (faxed copies will not be accepted).
• A letter from your faculty/department head confirming your ability to complete your program of study in the specified time-frame.
• If applicable, documentation from a qualified medical practitioner stating that you are now in good health and able to maintain at least 60 per cent of a full course load (40 per cent for students with permanent disabilities).

Appeal Category 13 –Overawards/medical withdrawal form

An overaward means that you received more StudentAid BC funding than you were eligible for. Overawards must be repaid to StudentAid BC.

If exceptional circumstances resulted in you receiving an overaward, you can ask for an appeal by submitting an overawards/medical withdrawal appeal form [214kb].

Be sure to include the following with your appeal request:

• A letter explaining the exceptional or extenuating circumstances that caused the overaward.
• A copy of all your post-secondary transcripts (faxed copies will not be accepted).
• A letter from your school or instructor supporting your appeal request.
• The original medical withdrawal form from your doctor confirming that you were unable to maintain full-time studies due to medical reasons (faxed copies and photocopies will not be accepted).

If you have an ongoing condition that existed before your study period started, your medical documentation must also state what happened during the study period that forced you to withdraw.

Grant overawards: If you are returning to full-time studies within six months of your withdrawal date, you must submit a Certificate 3 to StudentAid BC to postpone repayment of your grant overaward.

Overaward appeals will not be considered if:

• The 90-day deadline to ask for an appeal under this category has passed (unless severe medical circumstances prevented you from meeting the deadline).
• StudentAid BC funding was negotiated (cashed) after you withdrew from full-time studies.
• The overaward resulted from an audit. More information about your audit can be submitted to the audit and verification unit of StudentAid BC.

You can submit more information to the audit and verification unit to clarify or correct audit information previously provided. In some cases the auditor may not have received complete or accurate information. You are welcome to discuss your audit and provide more information.

Appeal Category 14 – Expected contribution from parent, step-parent, sponsor or legal guardian

You can ask for an appeal if your family is unable to make the expected parental contribution because of unforeseen and exceptional circumstances that reduced the family income or assets. These circumstances must have occurred within the past 12 months, and may include:

• Layoff, strike or lockout.
• Medical illness/injury that affected employment income.
• Other unexpected and unforeseen reduction in income (note: retirement is not considered as an unforeseen reduction).

To ask for an appeal in this category, submit a parent/step-parent/sponsor/legal guardian appeal form [221kb] and be sure to include the following:

• A letter asking that the expected parental contribution be reduced or waived.
• A detailed letter from your parents, step-parents, sponsor or legal guardian explaining why they cannot contribute the expected amount to your education.
• Proof of medical disability, layoff, strike or lockout by employer, as applicable.
• Current parental monthly income (employment pay stubs, or EI or disability income).

For step-parent appeals, you must also include:

• A copy of the marriage certificate between your parent and step-parent.
• A letter from the step-parent stating:
  • Why they cannot contribute to your education.
  • Whether or not you have been claimed as a dependant on their income tax return.
  • Whether or not they have assumed financial responsibility for you.

Appeal Category 15 – Room and board

As part of their parental contribution, your parents, step-parents, sponsor or legal guardian are expected to provide free room and board if you are living at home.

However, in some circumstances parents cannot afford to provide this support and must charge the student for room and board. Appeals will be considered if the parents, step-parents, sponsor or legal guardian are:

• Receiving income assistance or permanent disability benefits.
• Receiving Canada Pension and/or old age supplement, with no other source of income or support.
• Earning low income.
• Unemployed due to layoff, strike or lockout.

To appeal in this category, submit a room and board appeal form [258kb] and include the following:

• A detailed letter explaining why the cost of room and board should be included in your StudentAid BC financial need assessment.
• A detailed letter from your parents, step-parents, sponsor or legal guardian explaining how much they are charging you for room and board, the date you started to pay, and the reasons you are being charged.
• Proof of payment for room and board. This can be your cancelled cheques, or copies of your parents’ bank statements showing monthly room and board payments you have made. Receipts from your parents are not considered proof of payment.
• Documentation of parental income. This may be copies of their recent pay stubs, tax returns or income assistance, employment insurance or pension benefit statements.

We may limit the amount you can claim for room and board to reflect fair market rental value.

Appeal Category 16 – Spouse or common-law partner contribution

You can appeal if you think your spouse or common-law partner is being asked to contribute more to your education than they can afford, or if they are unable to make the expected contribution because of unforeseen and exceptional circumstances that occurred within the past 12 months.

Specifically, appeals will be considered where the spouse or common-law partner's income or assets were reduced due to:

• layoff, strike or lockout
• inability to find employment
• medical illness or injury affecting employment.

To ask for an appeal in this category,submit a spouse/common-law partner appeal form [279kb] and include a letter explaining why your spouse or common-law partner cannot afford to contribute the expected amount, and why the expected contribution should be reduced or waived.

Your spouse/common-law partner must also provide the following documentation, as applicable, to support the appeal:

• Proof of recent layoff (within the last 12 months) or proof of an ongoing strike/lockout at their place of employment.
• List of job-search contacts including names and addresses of prospective employers, and dates contacted.
• Copies of refusal letters from prospective employers.
• Proof of registration with an employment centre.
• Proof of exceptional medical/dental/optical expenses during your pre-study or study period that have not been covered by health insurance (include copies of your insurance statement or benefit payments).
• If your spouse/partner is unable to work for medical reasons, the original medical documentation from their doctor that explains why they can’t work, and the dates of the illness or injury (photocopies will not be accepted).
• Proof of disability.

Appeal Category 17 – Student contribution

If you think you are being asked to contribute more to your education than you can afford, or if there are extenuating circumstances preventing you from contributing, you can ask that StudentAid BC reconsider the amount of your expected student contribution.

Personal debt repayment is not considered an extenuating circumstance.

To request an appeal in this category, submit a student contribution appeal form [194kb] and include the following:

• A letter explaining why you cannot afford to contribute the expected amount to your post-secondary education.
• Proof of exceptional expenses in your pre-study or study period, such as medical, dental or optical costs.

If you looked for work during the four months before classes started but could not find a job, be sure that your appeal includes:

• A list of job-search contacts including names and addresses of prospective employers, and dates contacted.
• Copies of all refusal letters from prospective employers.
• Proof of receipt of employment insurance, if eligible.
• Documentation of your registration with an employment centre.

If you were unable to work due to medical reasons, include the original medical documentation explaining why you could not work and the dates of your illness or injury. Photocopies will not be accepted.

Appeal Category 18 – Unsuccessful term or semester

Starting Aug. 1, 2006, you are allowed 68 unsuccessful weeks of study before your StudentAid BC funding is stopped. “Unsuccessful” means failing to achieve satisfactory scholastic standing, as determined by your school.

Unsuccessful weeks of study are counted cumulatively over a student’s lifetime. Put another way, if you fail a total of 68 weeks of post-secondary courses while receiving StudentAid BC funding or interest-free loan status, you will be denied further assistance.

To reinstate your eligibility, you must successfully complete two consecutive semesters or one academic year of study without using any StudentAid BC funds.

If your unsuccessful weeks of study were a result of unforeseen and extenuating circumstances beyond your control, you can appeal by submitting the multiple withdrawals or unsuccessful terms / semesters appeal form [178kb].

Your appeal must include the following:

• A letter explaining:
  • The reasons for each unsuccessful term or semester, with supporting documents.
  • Why you should be issued further student funding.
  • The expected completion date of your study program.
  • Your future plans for education and employment.
• Copies of your post-secondary transcripts (faxed copies will not be accepted).
• A letter from your faculty or department head confirming your ability to successfully complete your current program of study in the specified time frame.
• Statements from a qualified medical practitioner that you are now in good health and able to maintain at least 60 per cent of a full course load (40 per cent for students with permanent disabilities), if your unsuccessful terms or semesters were due to illness or injury.

Appeal Category 19 – Other

If your unforeseen and extenuating circumstances do not fall under any of the preceding appeal categories, you can ask for an appeal by submitting the “other” category of appeal form [201kb] .

Include a detailed letter identifying which StudentAid BC policy or decision you are appealing and an explanation of how your extenuating circumstances affected your financial situation. Attach all relevant supporting documentation.

Appeal under this category include:

• B.C. student loan after end date
• B.C. residency
  
• Exceptional expenses
  
• B.C. interest relief
  
• B.C. loan forgiveness program