Adult Upgrading Grant and Awards

The Adult Upgrading Grant (AUG), (formerly ABESAP), provides needs-based grants to students enrolled in developmental programs. These grants are intended to off set the costs associated with tuition, fees, books, unsubsidized childcare and transportation for students most in need of financial assistance.

To be considered for an Adult Upgrading Grant, a student must meet all the following criteria:

• You are a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or protected person.
• You are a BC resident.
• You are enrolled in an approved Adult Upgrading, Adult Special Education (ASE), or English as a Second Language (ESL) course(s).
• You can demonstrate financial need.
• You have not received AUG or ABESAP funding to support your enrolment in this course or courses, in the past.

How do you apply?

Print and complete the Adult Upgrading Grant application form (application does not open in all browsers – use Firefox if available) then submit it with your Tax assessment and registration documentation to the Financial Assistance and Awards Office for approval.

If you need assistance with the application, or cannot fill it in on line, please contact the Financial Assistance and Awards office or Student Services to pick up a paper copy.

The Transition Award is available to Adult Basic Education students who:

• have completed – or will be completing – a minimum of two Adult Basic Education (ABE) courses at a BC public post-secondary institution between September, 2022 and December, 2023, and
• are planning to enroll in full-time post secondary studies at a BC public post-secondary institution between the dates of May 1, 2023, and April 30, 2024.

and

• are Canadian citizens, permanent residents (landed immigrants), convention refugees, or protected persons living in Canada; and
• are residents of British Columbia, defined as having a primary residence in BC for at least 12 months prior to the date of application for the Award; and
• have clearly demonstrated meaningful volunteer and/or community service*
• can describe clear career/life and education goals.

*Applicants who can demonstrate family and/or employment obligations that limited volunteer and/or community service opportunities will be considered eligible.

Important Information:

• Students can apply in advance of receiving official acceptance from the post-secondary institution they plan to attend.
• Students with a break in studies of more than one year from the date of completing ABE courses are not eligible to apply for a Transition Award, except in extenuating circumstances (e.g., medical).

Detailed eligibility criteria and access to the online application can be found on the Society’s website: https://www.bcscholarshipsociety.ca/transition-award/am-i-eligible/