Financing Your University Education
By choosing to attend UNBC, you’ve chosen to invest in your future.
The Awards & Financial Aid Unit can assist you in finding the resources you need to finance your education.
Awards & Financial Aid provides information and guidance on applying for government financial assistance and University scholarships and bursaries.
The actual costs depend on you – how many courses you take, where you live, how much you earn, and so on. The following costs are an estimate based on 2023-2024 amounts to give you an indication of how much it costs for one year of study at UNBC.
Estimated Costs per Academic Year
Undergraduate Students
2 Semesters = Academic Year
Per Course (3 credit hours)
Tuition and Fees: $914
Books: $200
Total Cost: $1,114
8 Courses (24 credit hours)
Tuition and Fees: $5,693
Books: $1,600
Total Cost: $7,293
10 Courses (30 credit hours)
Tuition and Fees: $6,901
Books: $2,000
Total Cost: $8,901
Graduate Students
3 Semesters = Academic Year
NOTE: Some Graduate Programs have different Program tuition/fees amounts associated with them than are listed below, go to http://www.unbc.ca/finance/accounts-receivable/fees-unbc for a more specific breakdown.
Part-time Students
Tuition and Fees: $4,045
Books: $1,500
Total: $5,545
Full-time Students
Tuition and Fees: $6,619
Books: $3,000
Total: $9,619
Estimated Living Costs
Undergraduate Students
Academic Year - over 8 months
Costs are based on BC Government Moderate Standard of Living. NOTE: Students staying in the UNBC Residences should go to www.unbc.ca/housing for Residence/Meal Plan costs for Rent/Food Semester amounts.
Single, living at home
Rent: $0
Food: $2,408
Miscellaneous: $2,640
Public Transit: $1,136
Total: $6,184
Single, living away
Rent: $7,976
Food: $2,560
Miscellaneous: $3,136
Public Transit: $984
Total: $14,656
Married, no dependents
Rent: $16,136
Food: $4,720
Miscellaneous: $4,824
Public Transit: $1,816
Total: $27,496
Single, one dependent
Rent: $13,832
Food: $4,296
Miscellaneous: $4,432
Public Transit: $1,792
Total: $24,352
Graduate Students
Academic Year - over 12 months
Costs are based on BC Government Moderate Standard of Living
Single, living at home
Rent: $0
Food: $3,612
Miscellaneous: $3,960
Public Transit: $1,704
Total: $9,276
Single, living away
Rent: $11,964
Food: $3,840
Miscellaneous: $4,704
Public Transit: $1,476
Total: $21,984
Married, no dependents
Rent: $24,204
Food: $7,080
Miscellaneous: $7,236
Public Transit: $2,724
Total: $41,244
Single, one dependent
Rent: $20,748
Food: $6,444
Miscellaneous: $6,648
Public Transit: $2,688
Total: $36,528
Estimated Total Costs per Academic Year
Undergraduate Students (8 Courses)
Single, living at home: $13.477
Single, living away: $21,949
Married, no dependents: $34,789
Single, one dependent: $31,645
Undergraduate Students (10 courses)
Single, living at home: $15,085
Single, living away: $23,557
Married, no dependents: $36,397
Single, one dependent: $33,253
Graduate Students (Part-time)
Single, living at home: $14,821
Single, living away: $27,529
Married, no dependents: $46,789
Single, one dependent: $42,073
Graduate Students (Full-time)
Single, living at home: $18,895
Single, living away: $31,603
Married, no dependents: $50,863
Single, one dependent: $46,147
Funding Sources for Education
There are four main sources of funding for students who wish to pursue post-secondary education:
- You - Your savings, part-time employment earnings, summer jobs, and assets.
- Your family - If you have been out of high school for less than four years, your parents will be expected to contribute to your education.
- Your government - Both the federal and provincial governments offer student loans and grants.
- Your university - UNBC awards a number of scholarships, bursaries and awards each year.
Government Financial Assistance
Full-time Students
The federal and provincial governments cooperate in offering interest-free loans to eligible students. The basis of this program, Canada Student Loans (CSL), is supplemented by the province in which you are a resident (i.e. BC residents will apply to StudentAid BC). StudentAid BC will review the student’s application and extend funding to eligible students.
Students may receive:
- A Canada Student Loan (repayable) and/or
- A BC Student Loan (repayable) and/or
- Canada/BC Grants (not repayable)
Students cannot receive a grant by itself, it is always awarded in conjunction with a loan. Government loan programs are intended to supplement the other sources of funding that students should have and are extended on the basis of demonstrated financial need. The maximum amounts eligible for 2023-2024 listed below.
Student, no dependents
Canada Loan or Grant: $10,200
BC Loan or Grant: $7,480
Total: $17,680
Student, maximum* with dependents
Canada Loan or Grant: $10,200
BC Loan or Grant: $9,520
Total: $25,160
StudentAid BC Application Procedures
Full-time Studies
- If you wish things to be in place prior to semester start, complete a loan application online via www.studentaidbc.ca at least six (6) weeks before classes start. Applications can be started as late as six (6) weeks prior to the end of the semester. New academic year (Sep-Aug) forms are usually online by mid-June.
- Loan applications can be completed before being officially accepted or registered at an institution.
- The student must plan to register in at least nine (9) credit hours per semester (60% full course load).
- StudentAid BC will email you a Notification of Assessment which will tell you if you are approved for funding, the funding type (loan and/or grant), and funding amount.
- Prior to issuing any funds, StudentAid BC must receive your Master Student Financial Assistance Agreement (MSFAA). The MSFAA normally remains in place for the loan duration.
- Your student loan/grant monies will be deposited directly into your personal bank account once UNBC confirms your enrolment. UNBC can confirm enrolment 15 days prior to the start of class each semester. Because of this it is important to: a) register at least 3 weeks prior to Semester start, and b) keep StudentAid BC informed of any address changes.
Part-time Studies
- Part-time Canada Student Loans and Canada Study Grants are available to students who are enrolled in less than 60% of a full course load (1-2 courses) and covers tuition/fees/books.
- Application forms can be downloaded from StudentAid BC website (see below for the link).
- Once completed, applications for part-time study MUST BE RETURNED to the UNBC Awards & Financial Aid Unit for processing via awards@unbc.ca.
For more information visit www.studentaidbc.ca or call 1-800-561-1818.
UNBC Scholarships & Bursaries
Scholarships and bursaries are awarded to both new and continuing students at the undergraduate and graduate level. Student may receive awards for academic achievement, athletic ability, community service, extra-curricular activities, and for financial need.
Note: A limited number of undergraduate admission awards are based solely on academic standing and are provisionally offered to those applying for early admission. To be considered for Early Entrance Awards*, please apply for admission by January 15th.
Online Award Applications must be done with a new application submitted for each new academic year (and award competition) as they are not carried forward.
Review the list of awards available and check to see if you meet individual award eligibility/criteria via the online Scholarship, Bursary and Award Guide at: www.unbc.ca/financial-aid
UNBC Award Application Deadlines
President’s Silver Anniversary & Leadership Awards * - January 15th
Small Fall Competition - September 15th to October 14th (must be registered in the September Semester to be eligible to apply for this competition)
Graduate Awards (Master’s & PhD) - October 15th to April 1st
Undergraduate Entrance Awards - October 15th to April 1st
In-Course Undergraduate Awards (2nd to 4th year) - October 15th to April 1st
General Awards (open to undergraduates and graduates) - October 15th to April 1st
* President’s Silver Anniversary & Leadership Award applications must include an online "UNBC Leadership Award" application as well as additional supporting documentation.
