Financial Aid

Payment Plan for Part-Time Students

Our program has a naturally built in payment plan. Instead of contracting students for an entire program and requiring all the tuition up front, we allow our students to enroll in and sign a contract for just one course at a time. Part-time students enjoy the flexibility of enrolling in, paying for, and completing just one course at a time. Part-time students may work ahead and complete courses early, take breaks in between courses, work while they study, sign up for multiple courses at once, and take as many or as few courses in a program as they want. Tuition is just paid for one course at a time.

All our students are automatically considered part-time students upon registration. If a student is required by an external sponsor to be a full-time student, they would be required to submit a full-time program contract, timetable, and maintain full-time eligibility requirements. Full-time student applications are not currently being accepted.

ECEBC - ECE Education Support Fund

The Early Childhood Educators of BC (ECEBC), in partnership with the Province of British Columbia (MCFD) established a student bursary program in 2014. In September 2018 the program was enhanced and expanded to encourage students to enter, re-establish and graduate from recognized ECE post-secondary programs. The ECE Education Support Fund is open to all students who are studying for their Basic ECE Certificate, Infant/Toddler Educator Certificate, Special Needs Educator Certificate and Early Childhood Educator Diploma.

ECEBC is responsible for administering the funding. Eligibility details and award amounts are subject to be changed without notice by ECEBC, so make sure you check their website for the most current information and application forms.

ECE Student Bursary

This bursary is open to all students studying ECE. Eligible students can apply for up to $4000 per semester in funding to assist with tuition and living expenses while studying. Awarded amounts will be dependent on the number of registered courses and demonstrated financial need.

ECE Workforce Development Bursary Fund

This bursary is for eligible Early Care and Learning professionals currently employed in the sector who have paused their studies to enter the ECE Workforce, or for those who would like to upgrade their credentials. Applicants must be able to demonstrate active employment with a child care facility. Awards may range in amounts up to $5,000 per semester based on demonstrated need and availability of funds. This program recognizes additional financial factors in leaving work for practicums and other costs related to study.

BC Employer Training Grant

The B.C. Employer Training Grant provides funding to small, medium and large enterprises to support skills training for their workforces, including prospective new hires. The intent of this program is to help British Columbians access the skills training required to adapt to the labour market’s changing job requirements, while also encouraging employer involvement in skills training. The Employer Training Grant helps employers pay for training, which in turn helps employees experience increased job security or move into better jobs. Employers can apply as often as they need and receive 80 per cent of the cost of training up to $10,000 per employee, with a maximum annual amount per employer of $300,000. Learn more on the WorkBC website.

Mary Thomas Memorial ECE Scholarship

Each year, the British Columbia Aboriginal Child Care Society (BCACCS) offers one $1000 scholarship for eligible Basic ECE students and one $1500 scholarship for eligible Post-Basic ECE students. This scholarship is awarded after you have completed your Basic or Post-Basic ECE certificate or diploma program. Their goal is to recognize and reward two Aboriginal ECE students each year for the highest overall achievement including: academic standing (at an approved educational institution and ECE program within British Columbia), outstanding accomplishments, volunteer work, community involvement, references, history of the applicant, as well as their ongoing commitment to childcare. Please visit their website for the most current information and for scholarship applications.

Canada Student Loans and Grants

Pacific Rim is designated for Canada and Provincial Student Loans and Grants.

To qualify for a full-time student loan, you must first apply and be accepted as a full-time student at our institution. Available spaces for full-time students at our institution are FULL until 2026. At this time, there are still many spaces open for part-time students wishing to complete the program one course at a time on a part-time basis. If you are accepted as a full-time student, completed full-time loan applications for the Basic ECE Certificate program will be accepted a minimum of 8 weeks prior to the start date of your full-time program.

Student loans are designed to help Canadian residents overcome financial barriers to post-secondary education, it is a partnership between the provincial and federal governments, who cover interest payments during your time of study. Pacific Rim only accepts student loan applications for the Basic ECE Certificate program.

Students loans are a needs-based government program. Students must apply and qualify to receive funding.

Submitting a loan application does not guarantee that it will be successful.

While loans provide a service to those who are financially prepared to take on the burden and responsibility of student debt and full-time studies, it is advised that students avoid this financing option as it greatly limits the flexibility of the program. The majority of our students prefer to take and pay for our courses one at a time, as they are ready to start them. Without a loan, our students have the flexibility to work as they study, take breaks between courses and work at their own pace through the program.