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B.C. Early Childhood Educator Loan Assistance Program frequently asked questions

  1. What is the B.C. Early Childhood Educator Loan Assistance program?
  2. Are graduates from any year eligible?
  3. Graduates from which programs qualify for the B.C. loan forgiveness program?
  4. How will loan forgiveness be applied?
  5. If a B.C. student loan is converted into a line of credit or a private loan, will this new loan be considered for loan forgiveness under this program?
  6. Will Canada student loans be forgiven?
  7. Do I have to make payments on my loans?
  8. Do my two years have to be in a row?
  9. Do I have to spend the two years with the same employer?
  10. Can graduates from any designated university in Canada be eligible for the Early Childhood Education Loan Forgiveness program?
  11. Which employers are eligible under the program?
  12. How do I apply for the program?
  13. When and how will my loan assistance be paid?
  14. I have a part-time / casual position in one of the eligible professions working as an early childhood educator. Am I eligible for the program?
  15. What happens if I change jobs within the year?

Answers

1. What is the B.C. Early Childhood Educators Loan Assistance Program?

This program was designed to provide an incentive to attract and retain newly graduated ECEs to work in licensed child care facilities.  Under this program eligible applicants may have their B.C student loan reduced by up to $2,500. The program was announced on December 21 2007.

2. Are graduates from any year eligible?

Recent graduates in early childhood education from an approved training institution may qualify for the program if they completed their final year of study between January 1, 2007 and December 31, 2008.   Graduates must have completed their employment requirement by December 31, 2010.

Although the program will be officially launched January 1, 2008, it may take up to six months for the first payments to begin but, eligibility will be retroactive to include all who graduate in the calendar years 2007 and 2008.

3. Which programs are recognized under the B.C. Early Childhood Educators Loan Assistance Program?

Early childhood education graduates from any approved training institution may be eligible if their program of study leads to a certificate, diploma or degree and was in:

  • Early Childhood Education
  • Early Childhood Development
  • Early Childhood Education / Teacher Aide
  • Early Childhood Certificate
  • Early Childhood Education Post Basic Core
  • Early Childhood Educator Post Basic Children with Exceptionalities
  • Early Childhood Educator Post Basic Infant and Toddler

4. How will loan forgiveness be applied?

If you are a full-time regular employee at a licensed daycare facility your B.C. student loan debt will be reduced by up to $1,250 for each of the first and second year you are employed as an early childhood educator.  If you are a part-time regular employee (working two days or less per week), the amount of your loan assistance award will be pro-rated accordingly.

5.  If a B.C. student loan is converted into a line of credit or a private loan, will this new loan be considered for loan assistance under this program?

No. Only B.C. student loans are eligible for loan forgiveness.

6. Will Canada student loans be forgiven?

No. Only B.C. student loans are eligible for loan forgiveness.

7. Do I have to make payments on my loans?

Yes, you must continue to make your scheduled B.C. student loan payments.

8. Do my two years have to be in a row?

No, but your first or second year of employment must be completed by Dec. 31, 2010. 

9. Do I have to spend the two years with the same employer?

No.  You can change employers as long as you continue to be employed as an early childhood educator in a licensed child care facility.

10. Can graduates from any designated post-secondary institution in Canada be considered for the Early Childhood Educators Loan Forgiveness Program?

No. Applicants must graduate from an approved training institution as determined by the Ministry of Children and Family Development.  For a list of approved training institutions click here.

11. Which employers are eligible under the program?

Any licensed child care facility is eligible.

12. How do I apply for the program?

If you meet the program eligibility criteria you must submit your completed application (including a letter from your employer confirming a year of employment) to StudentAid BC within six weeks of completing one calendar year of full-time employment.  You must also submit a letter from your employer following your second year of employment. The application form will be available soon.

13. When and how will my loan forgiveness be paid?

After StudentAid BC receives your completed application, your B.C. student loan debt will be reduced by up to $1,250.  This amount will be applied directly to your outstanding B.C. student loan administered by the BC  Student Loan Service Bureau. We will notify you in writing about the amount of loan forgiveness you have been approved for, and the effective date of the payment we will be making on your behalf.

14. I have a part-time / casual position in one of the eligible professions working as an early childhood educator. Am I eligible for the program?

You may be eligible for the program if you are considered to be a regular part-time employee (working two days per week or less).  Casual and on-call employees are not eligible for this program.

15. What happens if I change jobs within the year?

Changing jobs within the year is acceptable.  When you  submit your application you must send proof of a full year of employment, even if that means submitting more than one letter of employment from different employers. The dates of employment must be clearly indicated on each letter.