Paying for College 101 

A Guide to funding your education

Know your options: Some options for paying for post-secondary education are savings, bursaries, scholarships, student loans and student lines of credit. Most students use a combination of these.

  • Bursaries are awarded to students based on need and do not need to be paid back.

  • Scholarships are awarded to students on the basis of academic merit or other specific criteria and do not need to be paid back.

  • Student loans, as the name suggests, are loans from the government that are paid back after graduation.

  • Student lines of credit are bank loans specifically for education. Make inquiries at your bank or credit union.

Know your education costs: Many students underestimate how much money they will need for their education. As you are working out how much money you’ll need to fund your post-secondary education, remember to account for costs over and above basic tuition such as books, student fees, transportation, student housing or rent, food, travel costs for going home for holidays and costs associated with extra-curricular activities.

Do your research: Do an inventory of financial assets available to you. Research options for the best possible plan. Consult with the college Director of Finance.
The best approach is to minimize debt. A number of on-line resources are provided further down on this page.

There are lots of ways to finance your post-secondary education!

Payment & Funding Options

  • GOVERNMENT STUDENT LOANS - Student Aid BC and other provinces’ student loan programs offer loans to full-time students. You can look into this online at Student Aid BC. (The maximum combined Canada and British Columbia Loan for the 2023/2024 school year is $14,620, with possibility of up to $4,200 in grants for low income households. Not all students receive the maximum amount.)

  • Students from out of province should apply through their respective provincial student loan website, specifying that they are applying for a private and out of province school. You can find a link to your province's student loan website on the list below.

  • If assistance with student loans is required contact the Director of Finance at Summit Pacific College.

  • Students applying for a loan should do so at least three months in advance of registration date.

  • The Omega Global Program also qualifies for student loans.

  • SCHOLARSHIPS, BURSARIES AND AWARDS - Summit Pacific College gives out a variety of scholarships, bursaries and awards every school year to both new and returning students who apply and are approved. These are awarded based on need and a large variety of other criteria. (The Total amount awarded last school year was over $ 150,000)

  • WORK - If you have transportation off campus it is possible to get a part-time job while in school. Summit Pacific College also has a variety of on-campus job opportunities for upperclassmen. Summit welcomes students who find it necessary to work in order to provide the means to attend College. Working students should realize that they may have to reduce their academic load proportionally and at times forego College activities.

  • LINES OF CREDIT - Many Canadian chartered banks and credit unions offer student lines of credit and loans. However you will need to pay interest while you are still attending college.

  • SAVINGS, ASSETS AND RESP’S - Money in your bank account, sale of a car, investment or other valuables, and Registered Education Savings Plan can be applied to the cost of your education.