B.C. has an excellent network of post-secondary institutions with support systems in place to help students beginning their first year of post-secondary education cope with their new surroundings as they begin the next phase of their lives.

"I want all students in British Columbia to get the most out of their time in post-secondary education," said Advanced Education Minister Amrik Virk. "As a parent with kids who are heading back to post-secondary classes this fall, I want the very best for them. It is comforting to know there are resources and support available on-campus as well as at home, meaning they can focus on their studies and I can feel assured that my kids are well supported."

To help students settle into post-secondary life, institutions have online resources and handbooks that spell out expectations and responsibilities. They can also provide valuable tips to help students while they are attending school, cover topics such as finances, health and studying, as well as life in the post-secondary community, including social and educational supports - such as those for Aboriginal students - and accommodation for students from out of town.

Students who need help with their tuition and living costs while they are attending school may want to consider student loans and can check StudentAid BC's website: https://studentaidbc.ca/ - to see if they are eligible. StudentAid BC also has online tools to help students calculate their expenses: studentaidbc.ca/plan/debt

Textbooks are another necessity that can really take a bite out of a student's budget. Beginning in September, and depending on their field of study, students may be able to access some of the most popular first- and second-year textbooks online for free. Government's recently-announced support for open textbooks will eventually provide up to 60 textbooks online at no cost to students.

This is an exciting time to be a student in British Columbia, and with labour market predictions forecasting a million job openings in B.C. in the coming years, students' options after they graduate are wide open.

Media Contact:

Dan Gilmore
Communications Manager
Ministry of Advanced Education
250 952-6400