British ColumbiaAmid a public sector strike, Student Aid B.C.’s online application systems have been taken offline and payments delayed, leaving students uncertain about funding.StudentAid B.C.’s online application systems taken offline and payments delayedShaurya Kshatri · CBC News · Posted: Oct 04, 2025 5:51 PM EDT | Last Updated: October 4StudentAid B.C. services have been disrupted due to the ongoing labour dispute, raising concerns for students relying on loans and grants for their post-secondary education. (Radio-Canada)When 29-year-old William Kelly logged on to check the status of his student loan this fall, he didn’t find answers.”If you go to the website and you try to access things like the state of your application or your assessed funding, it’s just a red box,” he said. “That’s not a good thing to read.”Kelly, who is from Lake Country, B.C., is pursuing his master’s degree in peace and conflict studies at Uppsala University in Sweden. He relies on StudentAid B.C., which provides loans and grants, to help pay for his education.William Kelly says he understands that public sector workers are seeking better wages and working conditions but is concerned about the impact of the StudentAid B.C. service disruptions. (CBC)However, amid strike action by B.C. public sector workers, the province has confirmed that StudentAid B.C.’s online application systems have been taken offline and payments delayed “until normal service resumes.” Kelly says he has not yet received his fall instalment, whereas he usually receives it about two weeks after the semester begins. In the interim, he is relying on financial support from his family, but he knows that many don’t have that luxury.”These are funds that are supposed to cover students’ needs while they don’t have employment, things like housing and food.”WATCH | How a B.C. public sector workers’ strike is affecting student loans: How a B.C. public sector workers’ strike is affecting student loansAn ongoing strike by 34,000 public sector workers represented by the B.C. General Employees’ Union has entered its fifth week, and talks are at a standstill between workers and the government. Tori Minty, who is part of the Simon Fraser University Student Society and studies in the faculty of education, says that the Student Aid B.C. website has been down since the strike began and students have been unable to pay tuition.’A lot of distress’The B.C. General Employees’ Union (BCGEU) has been on strike since early September. More than 17,000 of its 34,000 members are now on picket lines, demanding a four per cent per year general wage increase for all public service workers under the contract. After several weeks of strike action and the breakdown of negotiations earlier this week, the impacts are being felt across public services. WATCH | BCGEU continues striking after talks with the B.C. government break down: BCGEU continues striking after talks with the B.C. government break downThousands of union members from B.C. General Employees’ Union and other union groups rallied in Vancouver to push for what they call a fair deal for public servants. As CBC’s Pinki Wong reports, talks between BCGEU and the government broke down almost immediately after getting back to the negotiating table.Liam Grace, a third year theatre student at the University of British Columbia, has received his student loan for the fall, but he worries about next semester.Liam Grace, a third year theatre student at the University of British Columbia, had his loan application for this semester approved but worries what will happen if the labour dispute drags on. (Radio-Canada)”A lot of distress. And I’m very alarmed to hear that that money might not be coming in if there’s not an agreement,” he said. “Quite frankly, without the government giving me the loans, I wouldn’t be able to pursue my education.”BCGEU president Paul Finch says he, like many government employees, relied on student loans to get through college.”And now they’re on picket lines forgoing their salaries in order to fight for decent paying jobs,” he said. “That’s something a lot of students would expect when they get out of college, too.”Most students received funding for fall: ProvinceIn a statement, the Ministry of Post-Secondary Education said it has processed funding requests for more than 46,000 students since August, and that most students who have applied have received their funding. It did not say how many students are still waiting, but urged students who have not received their money to contact financial aid officers at their schools.”We understand that the current service disruption is causing uncertainty and stress,” said B.C.’s Minister of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills Jessie Sunner. “We are committed to restoring full services as quickly as possible once strike action concludes.”Since the start of the school year in August, StudentAid BC has processed financial aid applications from more than 46,000 students across British Columbia to help cover tuition and living expenses, according to the province. (Radio-Canada)UBC has deferred tuition payment deadlines to December for students whose loans have not arrived. The University of Victoria said it is working to provide “emergency support options” for those impacted, including reversing late payment fees and ensuring access to emergency financial aid.Students urge actionThe British Columbia Federation of Students said the disruption underscores long-standing funding problems.”Even before this strike, students across British Columbia were already facing serious delays in their studies because of program and course cancellations caused by decades of government underfunding,” the federation said in a statement.”If the government truly cares about students, it must support the workers who provide these services and negotiate a fair settlement quickly.”Kelly, who received more than $16,000 in provincial and federal loans last year, says this year’s uncertainty has left him conflicted.”I want workers to be paid a fair amount and I want the government to provide services,” he said. “But I worry there isn’t an appreciation that this is pretty important to students. It’s a very severe lever to be pulling.”With files from William Burr, Cory Correia and Sophie Chevance
B.C. student loan delays leave students uncertain amid public workers’ strike
