FAQs - Scholarships for Public Servants

Training and Development in the BC Public Service

1. If I am taking a post-secondary training program that leads to a diploma, degree, or certificate and is not defined as “job related” training, do I have to apply to the Pacific Leaders Scholarships program if I want to access government funds?

Yes. The Pacific Leaders Scholarships for Public Servants program is designed to help employees pursue “developmental” training in order to advance their career goals by furthering their education in areas related to government’s priorities.

Ministries will not be operating developmental funding programs parallel to the Pacific Leaders Scholarships for Public Servants program. However, ministries will continue to fund job related and mandatory training as specified by the ministry and the position’s job description. Ministries may use their discretion to fund individual developmental courses that do not lead to certificates or degrees, including exam-preparation courses, as these are not covered by the Scholarship program.

To learn more about job-related, mandatory and developmental training, please refer to the Learning and Development policy statement.

Eligibility Criteria

1. Who is eligible for this program?

Full time and part time regular BC government employees who are covered under the BC Public Service Act and have passed their six month probationary period are eligible.

2. Who is not eligible for this program?

Auxiliary, casual employees and new employees who have not completed their probation period and employees who are not covered under the Public Service Act are not eligible. In addition, the program does not cover the broader public sector, such as health authorities, school districts and universities which 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 Scholarship recipients must commit to continuing to work for a specified period of time 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 to a "return of service". Auxiliaries and new employees are encouraged to consider the program after they achieve regular employee status.

4. Does time worked as an auxiliary contribute to the six month eligibility criteria?

Yes, time worked as an auxiliary employee counts towards the six month eligibility criteria. In other words, if an employee has worked as an auxiliary for two years and then as a regular employee for one month, the employee would meet the probation and eligibility requirements.

An auxiliary employee completes the probation period after working six months consecutively in one position. An employee who has worked in an auxiliary position for three months and then starts in a new auxiliary position begins their probationary count again in the new position, the probation time while still an auxiliary does not carry over into the new position. This includes employees who begin a new job within the same ministry.

If an auxiliary or regular employee is working in a part-time position, their probationary period ends when they reach 913 hours. If, after 12 months, they have not reached 913 hours, their probationary period is automatically completed. For further details related to probation, talk to your HR Consultant.

Application and Reimbursement Process

1. Who funds the scholarship?

The funding for employees’ scholarships is supplied by the employees’ home Ministry. Supervisors with questions related to funding should contact their ministry Strategic Human Resources branch.  

2. What should I do first?

Review all Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) and then begin the application process, allowing adequate time for completing all components of the application prior to the intake deadline. When your application package is complete, it goes to the BC Public Service Agency (detailed instructions are on the application form). Be sure to keep a copy for your own records.

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

In order for your application to be considered, you must outline the ways in which the program will support your career and contribute to the priorities of the BC public service.

4. What can I expect after I apply?

• Approximately six to eight weeks after the intake deadline, if you have been approved, you will receive formal notification, sent out on behalf of the Office of the Premier and the Deputy Ministers' Adjudication panel.
• This approval signals your eligibility to receive up to the allowable maximums of $5,000 for certificate, diploma or undergraduate programs or $7,500 for masters and PhD degree programs (as specified on http://www.pacificleaders.gov.bc.ca/).
• Your scholarship year runs for one 12 month period after which you will need to reapply for further funding.
• You will be contacted by a member of your ministry/organization’s human resources department who will outline the reimbursement process. If this contact does not take place, please contact your Ministry’s Strategic Human Resources branch.
• After you pay your school costs, you submit your receipts (for books and tuition only) to your ministry which will reimburse you up to the allowable maximum.

If your application is not approved, you will receive a letter from the BC Public Service Agency explaining why you have not met the eligibility criteria.

If you or your supervisor needs further clarification, please review the website for further information or contact the Pacific Leaders program office at 250-387-3201. 

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

As your ministry/organization is funding your Scholarship, the application must include a letter from your current supervisor indicating your ministry’s support for you and your chosen field of study. Suggestions for wording of the letter can be found on the application form.

6. What can I expect after I apply?

Approximately six to eight weeks after the intake deadline, if you have been approved, you will receive an approval letter from the Office of the Premier. Next, you will be contacted by a member of your ministry/organization’s human resources department who will outline the reimbursement process.

After you pay your school costs, you submit your receipts to your ministry which will reimburse for your tuition and books up to the allowable maximum (as specified on http://www.pacificleaders.gov.bc.ca/).

If your application is not approved, you will receive a letter from the BC Public Service Agency explaining why you have not met the eligibility criteria.

7. 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 transcript of grades. Future funding will depend on your strong academic achievement and clear documentation supported by your supervisor regarding how the program continues to relate to your EPDP and supports your career goals and the BC Public Service.

8. Why do I need to complete the application package again, particularly if nothing has changed in my circumstances?

Reapplying each year ensures that the Pacific Leaders Scholarships for Public Servants program administration can verify that all criteria continue to be met. Given that your EPDP is updated each year and that other circumstances may also change, a new application is required each year. In the situation that nothing has changed, the content of the original application letters may be re-used.

Post Secondary Institutions and Programs

1. What fields of study have been identified as being related to government needs and priorities?

To date, some of the following areas have been identified:

• Finance
• Project Management
• Natural Resources
• Information and Technology
• Human Resources
• Engineering
• Forestry
• Social Work
• Biology

2. How many courses can I take and what time frame does the Scholarship cover?

Recipients can take any number of courses in the program they have been approved for within the 12 month Scholarship period.

3. What institutions are eligible?

Only designated post-secondary institutions as defined by the Ministry of Advanced Education are eligible. All BC public post-secondary institutions and some private universities are designated, as are some institutions outside of Canada. BC private career training institutions must be registered and accredited before they are considered for designation. E-Learning programs are also eligible under the same guidelines.

A 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. Please be aware that this can be a lengthy process.

4. Why do education institutions need a designation?

Both Pacific Leaders and Student Aid use public funds and both therefore require that funding be provided only at schools that are a designated institution. This ensures that institutions have in fact met appropriate accreditation standards.

What’s Covered

1. Can the Scholarship cover travel as well as tuition and books?

No, the Scholarship is limited to tuition and books only.

2. What about other fees imposed by the institution, e.g. lab fees, bus passes, registration, etc.?

The Scholarship does not cover any fees. The applicant is responsible for all fees.

3. Can I apply for a Scholarship for a program I have already taken?

No, Scholarships are for future studies.

4. Am I entitled to Educational Leave if I receive a Scholarship?

No, the Pacific Leaders Scholarships application has no connection to an educational leave application. Your ministry/organization is not obligated to provide educational leave, either paid or unpaid. Applicants apply to their own ministry/organization which will consider this application as a completely separate request and will view it in reference to a number of related considerations and in alignment with the relevant collective agreement and the Learning and Development policy and guidelines.

Return of Service

1. What do I owe the BC Public Service in return for receiving a Scholarship?

For every 12 month period that Scholarship funding is provided a commitment to remain in the BC public service, referred to as a “return of service” agreement, is required. You will owe a one year return of service plus an additional year upon completion of the entire academic program. The return of service repayment begins at the end of the first Scholarship year.

Sample of Return of Service Calculation:

2. Does working part time affect the return of service?

The return of service agreement is not affected by part-time employment. It remains the same regardless of how many hours per week you work.

Miscellaneous

1. Is the Scholarship a taxable benefit?

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

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

Your ministry/organization may require the repayment of the full amount of all Scholarship amount or part thereof if an employee fails to maintain a satisfactory standing in their course of studies.

3. Can I get more than one Scholarship?

You cannot hold more than one Scholarship at one time.

For all other questions, please contact:

Email: PacificLeadersEmployeeScholarships@gov.bc.ca

Phone: 250-387-3201