Resources

Eligibility

You are eligible for the YEAF if you are 19 years of age or over but under 24 and were:

  • in continuing custody of the director under the Child, Family and Community Service Act or a delegated Aboriginal agency,
  • in permanent custody of the Superintendent of Family and Child Service (under former Family and Child Service Act) OR
  • under guardianship of a director as referred to in the Family Relations Act

until you turned 19, were adopted or your custody was transferred to someone other than a parent.

OR under guardianship of:

  • a director of adoption under the Adoption Act (including the former act) OR
  • the Superintendent of Family and Child Service (pursuant to the former Adoption Act)

until you turned 19 years of age or for at least 5 years before you were adopted.

If you are under 19 years of age you may be eligible to receive this grant as long as there is no other financial assistance available to you. Talk with your social worker about your education or training plans as part of your plan of care.

If you are not sure if you fit into any of these categories, contact your social worker, local MCFD office or delegated Aboriginal agency.

You do not have to be eligible for Student Financial Assistance to receive this grant. Student Financial Assistance is the same as BC Student Loans or the BC Student Assistance Program.

This grant is not for youth completing high school. For help with that, contact the financial aid office in a public post-secondary school for the Adult Basic Education Student Assistance Program.

You are not eligible for this grant if you are under a youth agreement.

When you apply for the grant, send a letter explaining your situation, outlining your career goals and what you have done to find funding. You will need to include a letter from your social worker explaining why the region could not provide you with the needed funds.

For Youth With A Permanent Disability

As a student with a permanent disability, you may take a reduced course load. Extra documentation will need to be completed and sent in with your application.

To find out what documents are needed, contact the Student Services Branch.