Victory: BC Access Grant

BC Federation of Students
BC Federation of Students
Feb 20, 2020 < 1 min read
We have exciting news! BC Budget 2020 has announced the creation of the BC Access Grant, which will give 40,000 students in the province up to $4,000 annually in non-repayable financial aid. This will not only help low- and middle-income people access the college and university training they need but also help students graduate with less debt.

BC Budget introduces grant program for post-secondary students

BC Federation of Students
BC Federation of Students
Feb 18, 2020 2 min read
The BC government’s 2020 Budget has students and educators celebrating the introduction of an up-front, needs-based student grant program. The BC Access Grant is the first of its kind in BC in nearly two decades, and will help reduce student loan debt for thousands of British Columbians every year.

Students looking for debt relief in upcoming BC Budget

BC Federation of Students
BC Federation of Students
Feb 06, 2020 1 min read
With the 2020 BC Budget just around the corner, students and their families are renewing their calls for the government to implement an up-front needs-based grant program to ease the burden of student loan debt. “BC has the lowest amount of non-repayable financial assistance – like grants – in Canada.”

Students applaud record investment in student mental health support

BC Federation of Students
BC Federation of Students
Jan 29, 2020 2 min read
Students applaud the BC Government’s announcement on the creation of a student mental health service that will be accessible for all students across the province. According to the announcement, students will soon be able to access counselling services either online or via the phone 24 hours a day seven days a week.

Advocacy Week 2019

BC Federation of Students
BC Federation of Students
Oct 17, 2019 < 1 min read
On October 22 to 24, representatives from the Federation’s member students’ unions will be in Victoria meeting with MLAs from all parties. We will be joined by representatives from the Simon Fraser Student Society and the UBC Alma Mater Society (UBC Vancouver’s students’ union). In these meetings we will discuss issues on our campuses and solutions that we have identified at the provincial government level.

Statement on the Climate Strike

BC Federation of Students
BC Federation of Students
Sep 26, 2019 1 min read
For eight days, citizens from all across the globe have been taking a stand in a Global Climate Strike, demanding dramatic and urgent action to fix the global climate crisis. This movement is being led by young people, who are fighting for their futures and the future of the planet. The BC Federation of Students stands in solidarity with these young leaders, and with climate activists across the world.

The Youth Vote: Why young voters can't be ignored

BC Federation of Students
BC Federation of Students
Sep 05, 2019 < 1 min read
Young voters are turning out at the polls in strong numbers. In 2015, 57.1% of 18-24 year-olds turned out to vote -- a record-breaking 18 percentage point increase from the 2011 election. The youth vote can't be ignored.

New school year means more student loan debt

BC Federation of Students
BC Federation of Students
Sep 02, 2019 2 min read
As students across the province head to college and university campuses today, many of them will be thinking hard about their student loans. Without a student grant program in BC, debt is the only way half of all students and their families can afford to attend post-secondary education.

Students Aim to Combat Period Poverty

BC Federation of Students
BC Federation of Students
Jul 16, 2019 3 min read
Menstrual products are a basic necessity, but for disadvantaged people or those living in poverty, it can be difficult to find products that are both affordable and sanitary. For students, this issue impedes our day-to-day functioning, and can often put us in undignified situations.

California announces two years free college; meanwhile, BC tuition fees continue to rise

BC Federation of Students
BC Federation of Students
Jul 10, 2019 2 min read
The Government of California has announced that it is providing two years of tuition fee free college for students graduating from California high schools. The initiative was approved with the recent passing of the state budget. Meanwhile in British Columbia, tuition fees continue to rise to historic levels, further strapping students with debt and closing the doors to those without the means to pay high up-front costs.

Recommendations to 2020 BC Budget Consultation

BC Federation of Students
BC Federation of Students
Jun 28, 2019 1 min read
Making post-secondary education affordable and accessible to all falls directly in line with the three key commitments the current government has made to British Columbians: to make life more affordable; to deliver services that people count on; and to build a strong, sustainable, innovative economy that works for everyone. Enacting students' priorities for Budget 2020 will help the government keep its commitments to British Columbians.

Statement on National Indigenous Peoples Day

BC Federation of Students
BC Federation of Students
Jun 21, 2019 < 1 min read
On National Indigenous Peoples Day, the British Columbia Federation of Students would like to acknowledge the great injustices faced by Indigenous people across this country as a result of its colonial past and the present colonial laws and policies that continue to undermine the rights and freedoms of the first people of this land. We would also like to acknowledge the great contributions that Indigenous people make to British Columbia, one of the most diverse provinces in terms of Indigenous culture and heritage.