Standing Strong Together
Since September 2018, the 草莓视频 (ECEBC), in partnership with the Province of British Columbia, enhanced and expanded the ECE Bursary Program, now known as the ECE Education Support Fund (ECE ESF).
This program consists of two funding streams:
These funding streams are designed to increase the number of students entering, re-establishing and graduating from recognized ECE post-secondary programs. View a list of
Online Portal for Early Childhood Education (ECE) Students
Winter 2026
We are excited to announce the dates for the Winter 2026 Education Support Fund Bursary!
If you are applying for funding for the Winter 2026 semester (for courses ending between January 1st to April 30th 2026) the application will be available to fill out on February 2nd 2026 through the online portal. If you have not already done so please create your account profile today.
The intake for submissions will open at 7am on March 2nd, 2026 until 11:59pm on March 13th, 2026 .
Transcripts are required by May 15th, 2026
Please use the button below to access the portal.
Let us support you with any questions!
February 4th, 2026 | 6pm - 7pm
Registration required
February 11th, 2026 | 6pm - 7pm
Deaf and Hard of Hearing Interpreters will be available.
Registration required
草莓视频and the Government of British Columbia understand how important these bursaries are for students who are planning the next steps in their education or career.
Together with the Province, we are working to support as many students as possible. Bursaries will be available to students enrolled in a program of study for Early Childhood Education in .
with priority going to:
The remaining applications will be processed on a first come, first served basis, time stamped within the new system. Funding will be distributed upon proof of course completion with a passing grade, through the submission of a transcript following the end of the semester. Please note only Canadian citizens and permanent residents are eligible to apply and receive bursaries.
Please note: Winter 2026 semester
Please contact the bursary team at bursary@ecebc.ca or call 604 709 6063 ext. 1 for any questions, concerns, help, guidance, and/or support.
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Students who are currently working may apply for the ECE Student Bursary or the ECE Workforce Bursary Development Fund, provided they are working in a licensed child care program or a StrongStart BC program. However, applicants who qualify for both streams may only apply to one or the other. Applicants may switch between the two streams provided the applications are for different semesters.
If you are unclear what stream you qualify for please contact bursary@ecebc.ca
This funding is to support students studying in an ECE program at a recognized post-secondary institution. Eligible applicants can apply for up to $500 per course, to a maximum of 8 courses, for a total of $4,000 per semester to assist with tuition while studying. Awarded amounts will be dependent on the number of completed courses. For instance, in the event an applicant enrolled in five courses, but only successfully completed three, the final payment will only reflect the three completed courses.
This funding is to support ECEs, ECE Assistants, Responsible Adults (as defined in the Child Care Licensing Regulation) and StrongStart BC Facilitators who are currently working in the ECE field and would like to upgrade their credentials. Applicants must be able to demonstrate active employment within a licensed child care facility (with the exception of StrongStart BC facilitators). Awards may range in amounts up to $5,000 per semester to assist with tuition and other expenses such as loss of wages or travel.
The ECE Education Support Fund is open to domestic students who are residents of British Columbia and who are studying for an ECE credential, including:
Please Note: If you already have an account and have filled in your profile you can and follow Steps 3 to 6.
Provide your email and password to on the 草莓视频ESF Bursary Application portal.
An an email will be sent to the address provided with a link that will need to be used to confirm your address and complete the account registration process.
Log in to the online platform. Finish completing your account set up and fill out your profile by filling in the required and additional fields. These details will be utilized in your bursary application.
The application guide contains important information about the application process and required documents that may change between semesters.
Once you have confirmed you have read the application guide for the semester the bursary application will become available.
There are 3 application streams and each have their own online application form.
Each semester you can apply for ONE of the following bursary types: Student, Workforce Development - Employee or Workforce Development Employer / Owner.
If you have any questions please email bursary@ecebc.ca
You can start an application, save your progress and come back to it at a later time. Please ensure your documents are in the .png, .jpeg or .pdf file type.
Workforce - Employee Applicants: Please ensure you download the form your employer will need to fill out as this will need to be uploaded here.
If all of the required fields for your bursary application have been filled in a submit button will appear when the bursary submission window has opened.
Don't forget to come back to submit it as soon as the window opens. The system will not submit the application for you.
May 6, 2022
The Summer 2022 ECE bursary information and application forms are now available. Find out more about the bursary instructions and the ‘Bursary Basics’ meeting occurring on Wednesday, May 18th, 2022 on the Education Support Fund page.
Dec 20, 2021
The Winter 2022 ECE bursary information and application forms are now available. Find out more about the bursary instructions and bursary support webinar occurring on Wednesday, January 12th, 2022 on the Education Support Fund page.
Oct 13, 2021
The Fall 2021 ECE bursary information and application forms are now available. Find out more about the bursary instructions and bursary support webinar occurring on Oct. 21, 2021 on the Education Support Fund page.
May 31, 2021
Applications will soon be accepted for the Summer 2021 semester of the Early Childhood Educator Education Support Fund (Bursary).