The latest stage of StudentAid BC's modernization project is now online, with a brand-new dashboard function that enables students to see what is happening with their student loans in real time, announced Advanced Education Minister Amrik Virk.

"I'm excited to see the new dashboard in place. It means quicker and easier access for students so they can check on their account whether they're at school, at home or on the go," said Virk. "Our goal is to provide a self-service student portal and eliminate paper to streamline transactions and improve communication so students can get their funds more quickly, enabling them to focus on their studies."

The new dashboard provides information to students about the status of their applications and loans in a logical and timely way, and replaces paper correspondence with email - resulting in immediate student notifications.

The website has been further enhanced with a smart, interactive help feature that allows students to find answers to nearly any question, whenever and wherever they happen to be.

"The new StudentAid BC dashboard is modern and easy to use and I can see the details of my application and funding at a glance and without any ambiguity, which is a big step forward from the old interface," said University of Victoria law student Jamie Nay. "StudentAid BC has created a model of user friendliness and responsiveness that other government services need to follow."

Quick Facts:

• The new dashboard is part of a $3.2-million process improvement and systems upgrade underway at StudentAid BC.

• Approximately 30 per cent of post-secondary education students in B.C. access student loans.

• In 2012-13, qualified students accessed more than $739 million in federal and provincial financial assistance. This included more than $223 million in B.C. student loans.

• StudentAid BC handled nearly 400,000 paper-based transactions last year. Systems upgrades are expected to eliminate 90 per cent of paper transactions.

• Switching to online applications and forms has resulted in a 56 per cent reduction in paper and printing costs for 2013-14 student loan applications.

Learn More:

Find out how StudentAid BC can help you plan your future: https://studentaidbc.ca/

Previous news release:

www2.news.gov.bc.ca/news_releases_2009-2013/2013AEIT0023-000354.pdf

YouTube dashboard tutorial: www.youtube.com/user/studentaidbc

Follow StudentAid BC on Twitter:
@studentaidbc

Media Contact:

Dan Gilmore
Ministry of Advanced Education
250 952-6400