FAQs

All Programs

1. What is Pacific Leaders?

Pacific Leaders is one element of a comprehensive transformation package making the B.C. Public Service an even better place to build a career. It recognizes and encourages high achievement.

Through fellowships, scholarships and loan forgiveness, we’re investing in our public service by supporting the education and growth of talented and dedicated staff.

The Pacific Leaders program strengthens the public service’s contribution to our province. And it sharpens our competitive edge to recruit and retain high-calibre employees in a marketplace with increasing labour shortages.

2. Are demographics driving these new programs?

As B.C.’s largest employer, the public service faces the same recruitment and retention challenges as the private sector. In eight years, 45 per cent of managers and 35 per cent of non-management employees in the public service will be 55 or older and can potentially retire.

We are in competition with virtually every employer in North America, and many countries around the world.

That’s why we’re building our competitive edge to recruit and retain employees. Pacific Leaders is one of the strategies we’re using.

3. Does the name Pacific Leaders mean that most of the benefits from this program will go to people on the coast, with little for the North and the Interior of the province?

We welcome the participation of all public servants in Pacific Leaders. This program is good for the entire province and will recognize and strengthen the great contribution to the more than 280 B.C. communities in which public servants live and work.

Graduate Student Fellowships

1. What is the purpose of these fellowships?

The Province will benefit from these fellowships in two ways: First, we will be attracting some of the brightest graduate students to careers in the B.C. Public Service as we work towards a new level of academic excellence. And second, the Province will have the benefit of the research these graduate students undertake, which will be related to government priorities.

2. How many will be given out each year, and how much are they for?

We’re providing up to 20 fellowships per year, at $20,000 each, for a maximum of two years per student.

3. Are these scholarships part of the 2,500 graduate scholarships the Premier has promised for post-secondary institutions?

No, this is a separate, additional program.

4. Who can apply?

Students enrolled in, or planning to enrol in, master’s or PhD studies at UBC, SFU, UVic or UNBC are eligible. At least 75 per cent of their program must be research and course work.

Students must be registered in the final full-time year or the final two full-time years of either a master’s or doctorate degree.

In the future, the program is expected to expand to all B.C. universities and university colleges. Consideration will be given to including other Canadian institutions as well.

Students must have at least an A-minus average over their most recent two years of full-time study, and show potential to become excellent researchers.

5. Who cannot apply?

Students in professional programs and applied and executive degree programs cannot apply.

Students registered in degree programs that combine undergraduate and graduate studies are not eligible.

6. When is the deadline for applications, and when can studies start?

Applications must be submitted to the dean of graduate studies at your university by 4:30 p.m. Oct. 31 each year.

Awards will be announced in early spring.

Fellowships are awarded for studies commencing in the May, September or January academic term following announcement of the results

7. How many applications will be accepted?

One hundred applications will be accepted – 55 from UBC, 18 from SFU, 17 from UVic and 10 from UNBC.

8. What if a student wants to go on to doctoral or post-doctoral studies, rather than coming to work for government?

Any cases like this will be considered individually.

9. If a Fellow does not go on to work for government, or if they withdraw from their program or fail to complete their research, do they have to pay their fellowships back?

Government expects a return of service for its investment in the student’s research.

Early withdrawal or failure to complete the research will be provided for in the agreement between the successful applicant and the Province.

10. Will the progress of these Fellows be tracked by government?

Government will keep informed of the student’s research and progress towards his or her degree.

11. Is government legally obligated to hire these graduates, even if their work or conduct while holding a fellowship is disappointing?

Employment with the provincial government must comply with standards of hiring under the Public Service Act.

12. Who is on the selection committee?

There will be an internal adjudication process to evaluate submissions.

13. Is there an appeal process for unsuccessful candidates?

Appeals will be accepted only if an error is found in process.

14. Can a student have more than one fellowship at a time?

There is no dollar limit on the amount of other awards a fellow can receive while receiving the Pacific Leaders Graduate Student Fellowship.

15. If a student transfers from one institution to another, is the fellowship portable?

Yes, a graduate student will be able to take his or her funding from one institution to another as long as the area of study remains the same.

B.C. Loan Forgiveness

1. Am I eligible for this program?

All regular B.C. government employees – full time and part time – who are members of the B.C. Public Service (covered under the Public Service Act) and who have B.C. student loans in good standing are welcome in the Pacific Leaders loan forgiveness program.

2. Are any employees not eligible for this program?

Casual or auxiliary employees are not eligible and those not covered under the Public Service Act. (The program does not cover the broader public sector, such as such as health and education, who have their own terms and conditions of employment.)

3. How does this program work?

New employees apply for the program and continue to make payments on their B.C. student loans until they are accepted and notified in writing. Current employees with B.C. student loans in good standing will be notified of eligibility.

Once accepted into the program, an employee is put on “interest-free” status for one year, and no longer makes payments. At the end of that year, 1/3 of their total B.C. student loan debt is forgiven.

The process rolls over automatically and after three years the employee’s entire B.C. student loan will have been forgiven, unless they leave the public service.

4. When does the program start?

The program started in September 2007.

5. If I leave government in the middle of a year, is my forgiveness pro-rated?

No. If an employee leaves government in the middle of the year, they will not be eligible for the “interest-free” subsidy, and the interest paid on their behalf will be added to their outstanding loan principal. They will be expected to start making payments on their B.C. student loans and will not be entitled to any portion of the loan forgiveness. Employees must complete 12 months of employment as a regular employee to receive any loan forgiveness, as well as the “interest-free” subsidy.

6. What happens if I get pregnant or ill, or take education or other approved leave?

Employees on approved leave will have a break in the loan forgiveness program while they are off work, and will resume making their B.C. student loan payments. On return to work, enrolment in the program will resume.

Should employees have difficulty making payments while off work, they can apply for interest relief and other debt management programs available to all student loan clients.

7. Am I required to stay with the public service after their loans have been forgiven?

No. Loans are forgiven at the end of each year worked, so a year’s service has already been provided.

8. Will Canada student loans be forgiven, too? If not, why not?

No. The Province is forgiving the money that we loaned out. Canada student loans are funded by the federal government through federal taxes, whereas B.C. taxpayers support B.C. student loans.

9. Is loan forgiveness a taxable benefit?

The Pacific Leaders loan forgiveness program is a taxable benefit and any payment that is made to reduce your outstanding B.C. student loan by the B.C. Government will be added to your income for tax purposes.

10. Is this program only for new government employees, or are current employees grandfathered in?

Current employees who have outstanding B.C. student loans and are up-to-date in their payments will be automatically enrolled in this program.

11. What happens if a government employee’s B.C. student loan payments are not up to date?

The employee will be given the opportunity to pay off arrears, bring their loan into good standing, and apply to join the program once that is done.

It’s important to note that current employees need to keep their loans up-to-date until they are notified that the loan has moved to interest-free status.

12. Is this the same program that forgives doctors and nurses B.C. student loans if they practise in remote and rural areas of the province?

This program is similar in concept, but is a separate program under the forgiveness of student loans regulation. The main difference is that for this program, public servants can work anywhere in B.C.

Scholarships for Public Servants

New!! Effective for all approved applications for studies beginning after May 31, 2008, Pacific Leaders Scholarships now cover 100 percent of tuition and books up to a maximum of $5,000 per year for undergraduate degree, diploma and certificate programs, and up to $7,500 per year for master’s or PhD programs at designated educational institutions. FAQs related to this change are in bold.

1. Who is eligible for this program?

All regular B.C. government employees – full time and part time – who are members of the BC Public Service (covered under the Public Service Act) are welcome in the Pacific Leaders Scholarship for Public Servants program.

2. Are any employees not eligible for this program?

Auxiliary or casual employees, employees who are new to the Public Service and who have not completed their probation period and employees who are not covered under the Public Service Act are not eligible. (The program does not cover the broader public sector, such as health and education, who have their own terms and conditions of employment.)

3. Why are auxiliary or casual employees ineligible for the scholarships?

Only regular employees are eligible because recipients of the scholarships must sign a document to continue to work for the BC Public Service after they receive the scholarship. Since auxiliary employees are employed for a specified term only, they are not in a position to make this commitment.

Auxiliaries and new employees are encouraged to consider the program after they are hired and have completed the six month probation period. A third intake was added in order to provide more opportunities for new employees to take advantage of the program.

4. What fields of study have been identified as being related to government priorities?
  • To date, the following areas have been identified:
  • Finance
  • Project Management
  • Natural Resources
  • Information and Technology
  • Human Resources
  • Engineering
  • Forestry
  • Social Work
  • Biology
5. How many courses can I take and what time frame does the scholarship cover?

Once your program of study is approved and the scholarship awarded, you can take any number of courses within a 12 month period (year) in that program of study. Your reimbursement would be for the maximum amount provided under the scholarship rules.

6. Why do I need to write a letter of support with my application?

In order for your application to be considered, the Adjudication panel would like to hear directly from each applicant indicating how the program will support his or her career in the public service.

7. Why do I need a letter of support from my ministry?

In order for your application to be considered, the Adjudication panel would like you to provide one or more letters of support, including one from a current supervisor indicating the ministry’s support for you and your chosen field of study.

8. Can the scholarship cover travel as well as tuition and books?

No, the scholarship is limited to tuition fees and books.

9. Who covers the registration fee that has to be paid in order to enrol in an educational program? What about other fees imposed by the institution, lab fees, bus passes, etc.?

The applicant covers all fees. The Scholarship covers tuition and books.

10. Can I get more than one scholarship?

Yes, if the studies continue over a period of time and other application requirements are met. However, you cannot hold more than one scholarship concurrently.

11. Can I apply for the scholarship for a course I have already taken?

No, the scholarships are for future studies.

12. If I am taking a post-secondary program that leads to a diploma, degree, or certificate, do I have to apply to Pacific Leaders if I want to access government funds?

Yes, ministries will not be operating parallel funding programs. However, ministries will continue to fund job-related training and developmental training that does not lead to a certificate, diploma or degree.

Ministries will also continue to fund certificate, diploma or degree programs that are a mandatory job-requirement, as specified by the ministry and the position job description.

13. Now that Pacific Leaders Scholarships covers 100 percent of tuition and books does my return of service remain the same?

No. In addition to the current return of service conditions you will be required to complete an additional one year return of service, i.e., if you receive 100 percent funding for 3 years you will be required to complete 4 years return of service.

14. I was previously approved prior to the May 31, 2008 intake; does this mean I will now receive 100 percent?

No, this change is not retroactive, in other words funding that was previously approved will remain at 75 percent levels for the one year period. When, after one year, you reapply for another year of funding, it will be at the 100 percent level.

15. Are scholarships guaranteed for each year of multi-year programs?

No. Applicants must re-apply for funding for subsequent years and include a copy of your transcripts. Future funding will depend on your strong academic achievement and clear documentation, supported by your supervisor, of how the program supports your career goal in the B.C. Public Service.

16. Can I apply for more than one semester?

Yes, for example, at the spring in-take, employees can apply for both the autumn and winter semesters.

17. What institutions are eligible?

Designated post-secondary institutions as defined by the Ministry of Advanced Education are eligible. As long as the institution has been designated by the Ministry of Advanced Education, studies are not restricted to Canada. All B.C. public post-secondary institutions are designated, as are some private universities. B.C. private career training institutions must be registered and accredited before they are considered for designation.

18. What is a designated institution?

All publicly funded universities, university-colleges, colleges and institutes in B.C. are designated as well as some institutions outside of the province.

However, not all private training schools have been designated by the Ministry of Advanced Education. The list of designated institutions can be accessed on the StudentAidBC website.

If the school you have chosen is not designated, you can start the designation process by completing and submitting forms on the Ministry of Advanced Education’s website.

19. Why do education institutions need a designation?

Both Pacific Leaders and StudentAid use public funds and so both require funding be provided only where studies are taking place at a designated institution. This proviso that funding be approved only for courses taken at designated institutions was developed in order to ensure the institution providing the education has in fact met appropriate accreditation standards. There is an onus to create procedures that ensure full accountability for dollars expended.

20. Would I get the scholarship money up front, or do I have to finish successfully before they get the money?

Your ministry will reimburse tuition and books at the beginning of the study period once you have submitted receipts.

21. If I get a scholarship, will I be expected to continue working full-time, or can I scale back to part-time to meet the demands of my education?

Recipients may apply to their ministries for education leave to attend programs.

22. Are there guidelines regarding educational leave?

Yes, employees applying for leave should review the Employee Benefits Guide and consult with their human resource consultant regarding benefit coverage and their options, particularly if the leave is with partial pay or leave without pay. They may also wish to seek clarification of the impact of their leave on other benefits such as public service superannuation, Canada Pension Plan and supplementary death benefits.

23. If I have reapplied for a scholarship for a second year and I am successful, can the return of service for the first year be worked while I am continuing my second year of studies?

Yes, as long as you are employed by the B.C. Public Service on a full or part-time basis during the year.

24. If I only received 100 percent funding for one semester, am I still obligated to fulfil two years of return of service?

Yes, if a scholarship is received for one, two or three semesters in one year, your return of service will start at the beginning of the first month upon completion of your final semester. For example, if your semester finishes in December, then your return of service year begins in January.

25. If the certification is a job requirement, do I still apply to the Pacific Leaders Program?

No, ministries remain responsible for training that is required for employees to do their jobs as described within the position job description. The Pacific Leaders Scholarships for Public Servants are designed to help employees interested in development to perform other roles they may be interested in pursuing that match government’s current or future requirements.

26. Is the scholarship a taxable benefit?

No, employees are not eligible to claim a tuition tax credit for the amount of the tuition fee reimbursement they have received from the Pacific Leaders Scholarship for Public Servants Program.

27. What happens if I do not complete the course?

The ministry may require the repayment of the full amount of all scholarship amounts, pay, benefits and other expenses, or part thereof in the following instances:

  1. failure to maintain a satisfactory standing in your course of studies;
  2. failure to resume employment with the public service on completion of the course of study; or
  3. termination of employment with the public service before completing the return of employment agreement.

Scholarships for Children of Public Servants

1. Why have you set a cutoff age of 25 for these scholarships for public servants’ kids?

For this scholarship, we’re targeting dependants of public servants, and focusing on the age range in which research has shown students are likely to need a financial boost the most. The cutoff for students 25 or over is parallel with other government programs that include dependants. (For instance, for MSP, the cutoff is 19, unless the dependant is a full-time student, in which case coverage ends when the student turns 25.)

2. Why only one scholarship per child?

We want as many members of the public service – and their children – to benefit from these scholarships as possible, so we have limited the scholarships to one per child. If public servants have more than one child, each of their children is eligible.

3. Why have you set a threshold mark of B for students to apply for this scholarship?

First, we want as many public servants and their children to benefit from these scholarships as possible. Second, this is consistent with Premier Campbell’s commitment to expand our public post-secondary education system so any student with a B or better can attend university.

4. How can you make a B requirement work, since B means different things to different post-secondary institutions?

The B.C. Council on Admissions and Transfer has developed a conversion chart of grades for other scholarship programs, and this chart will be used for the determining of eligible candidates for this fellowship.

5. Won’t this scholarship just go to A students anyway, as they usually do? Doesn’t setting the requirement at a B just raise false hopes?

In fact, this scholarship is based on much more than academic achievement. It also takes into account communications skills and the relevance of the student’s education and career plans to the Province’s goals.

6. Why aren’t graduate students eligible for this program?

This program is targeted to the children of public servants under the age of 25 who are working toward an undergraduate credential.

Graduate students can apply for our new Pacific Leaders Graduate Student Fellowships, and are also eligible for other fellowships, scholarships and bursaries.

7. What’s a designated institution?

Students at designated institutions are eligible for financial assistance from StudentAid BC. All B.C. public post-secondary institutions are designated as are some private universities. B.C. private career training institutions must be registered and accredited before they are considered for designation for student financial aid.

8. What does an institution being designated for student loans have to do with its students being eligible for these scholarships?

Designated institutions have proven they are providing high-quality education worthy of taxpayers’ support, and are monitored for performance every year.

9. Who is on the selection committee?

There will be an internal adjudication process to evaluate submissions.

10. Is there an appeal process for unsuccessful candidates?

Appeals cannot be made on process.

11. When is the deadline to apply?

The deadline this year is April 30.

12. When must the recipients start their programs?

Scholarship recipients must start their programs within the current fiscal year. For example, if a student is awarded a scholarship this June, they must start their program before April of the following year.

13. Can the scholarship be deferred?

Students can apply again the next year, but their scholarship cannot be deferred. An alternate will receive the award.

14. What are the criteria to be eligible?

Students must be under the age of 25 as of April 30 of the year in which they apply.

Students must have a parent who is working full or part-time as a regular employee of the B.C. Public Service (and is covered under the Public Service Act) and has done so for at least three years as of April 30 of the year in which the student applies. The program does not cover the broader public sector, such as such as health and education, who have their own terms and conditions of employment. The definition of a parent is taken from StudentAid BC guidelines.

Students must be pursuing a trade, technical or vocational training, or an undergraduate degree at a designated B.C. school or university.