On August 23, 2022, the Ministry of Health (MoH) announced the Access to Practical Nursing Education Bursary. This bursary is for students enrolled in an Access to Practical Nursing (APN) program at a qualifying BC-based public institution.

The APN program is a unique career laddering program for Health Care Assistants (HCAs) wishing to train as Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs). The APN program allows students to apply training and experience garnered as an HCA to accelerate their training as an LPN. Supporting the HCAs to enroll in this program will help to retain HCAs in BC’s public health system and to expedite the number of LPNs available to support more immediate LPN staffing needs.

This bursary will be paid in equal installments each semester to a total of $10,000.

To qualify for this bursary, applicants must meet the following eligibility criteria:

APN Education Bursary Eligibility Criteria

• The applicant must apply for the APN Education Bursary by submitting the Application Form with all supporting documents to the HCA team no later than sixty (60) days after the start of the program (i.e. the application window).
• The applicant provides proof of enrollment in an Access to Practical Nursing (APN) program at a qualifying BC-based public institution, having begun their first semester between September 1, 2022 and May 31, 2025.
• The applicant demonstrates proof of registration with the BC Care Aide & Community Health Worker Registry.
• The applicant has a valid Social Insurance Number (SIN). This must be received as of the application date and to receive a T4A, as this bursary is a taxable income.
• The applicant confirms they have not or will not receive funding from Employer-Sponsored Earn and Learn Programs, where the employee receives funding for tuition, training stipends, etc. The applicant must also state they have not or will not receive funding from any Ministry bursaries, such as the Internationally Educated Nursing (IEN) Bursary, Return to Practice Nursing (RTPN) Bursary, or Priority Program Bursaries. For more information, please contact the HCA team.
• The applicant must fulfill all prior Ministry related Return of Service Agreements, including, but not limited to, Health Career Access Program (HCAP) and HCA Recruitment Incentive.
• Once eligibility has been confirmed, applicants will receive a Return of Service (ROS) agreement, which must be signed and submitted. This ROS agreement is with the Ministry of Health, committing to work within BC’s public health system for a minimum of a 12-month period once licensed as an LPN.

Each semester:

• The recipient submits unofficial transcripts from their last completed semester.
• The recipient submits a copy of their APN program tuition statement dated at least two weeks following the start of the term.

Note: All documents are submitted to the HCA team, a division of HEABC. All installments are paid directly to the recipient. Funds will be disbursed by HEABC and may take up to 6 weeks for processing once it is deemed the applicant meets all eligibility requirements.

Further Notes on Eligibility

• The APN Education Bursary is available to Canadian Citizens and Permanent Residents only.
• Applicants must complete their return of service working as an LPN in a publicly funded health sector employer, such as: (a) a regional health board designated under section 4(1) of the Health Authorities Act, Provincial Health Services Authority, First Nations Health Authority or Providence Health Care; or (b) an employer at long-term care or assisted living facility to the extent the position is to work at such a facility, excluding contract agencies (“Qualified Employer”).

Qualifying Post-Secondary Institutions

Required Documents

• A registration or acceptance letter, or other proof of enrollment in an APN program at a qualifying BC-based public institution. This documentation must clearly indicate that the applicant began their first term between September 1, 2022, and May 31, 2025.
• A copy of your APN program tuition statement dated at least two weeks following the start of the term.
• Proof of registration with the BC Care Aide & Community Health Worker Registry.
• A signed Return of Service (ROS) with the Ministry of Health, committing to work within BC’s public health system once licensed as an LPN Note: Once eligibility has been confirmed, applicants will receive a Return of Service (ROS) agreement, which must be signed and submitted. This ROS agreement is with the Ministry of Health, committing to work within BC’s public health system for a minimum of a 12-month period once licensed as an LPN.

*Please review all requirements and gather appropriate documents before completing the application form, as the system will not allow you to save your progress. If you experience any issues with the application form, please contact apn@choose2care.ca.

APN Education Bursary Distribution

APN Education Bursary installments will be paid directly to the recipient each semester for a combined total of $10,000 when all required documents outlined above are submitted.

Note: Payment can be expected within 4-6 weeks of submitting all required documentation.