Work & Money (BC)

What to Do Now:

• ✓Check your study permit for work conditions (full-time vs part-time, on-campus vs off-campus)
• ✓Check IRCC's current student work placement rules separately from on-campus and off-campus work rules
• ✓Check IRCC's current off-campus eligibility and hour limits before working; permit wording alone does not establish eligibility
• ✓Check the separate eligibility rules for scheduled breaks; do not assume every summer or winter period qualifies
• ✓Do not assume a separate co-op work permit is required: check IRCC's current placement eligibility and your permit conditions before starting
• ✓Keep records of your work hours and employer information

What to Do Now:

• ✓Know BC's minimum wage (check current rate - it changes annually)
• ✓Understand overtime rules: generally after 8 hours/day or 40 hours/week (varies by industry)
• ✓You must be paid at least twice per month, on regular paydays
• ✓Keep pay stubs, time records, and employment contracts as documentation
• ✓Check complaint coverage and deadlines before attempting informal resolution; do not miss a deadline while waiting
• ✓You cannot be fired for filing a complaint about employment standards violations

What to Do Now:

• ✓Know that you have the right to refuse unsafe work if you believe it's dangerous
• ✓Report workplace injuries or near-misses to your employer immediately
• ✓If injured at work, you may be eligible for WorkSafeBC benefits - file a claim
• ✓Document unsafe conditions with photos, notes, and dates
• ✓Contact WorkSafeBC if your employer doesn't address safety concerns

What to Do Now:

• ✓Keep relevant tax slips, tuition certificates and receipts for the year you are filing
• ✓Check CRA's filing and payment deadlines for your circumstances, including whether to file with no income
• ✓Volunteer tax clinics generally require a modest income and a simple tax situation; check current eligibility
• ✓Check which tuition credits and carryforwards apply to your tax year
• ✓Review current benefits and credits on CRA's student page; eligibility and programs can change
• ✓Ask Student Services whether your school offers a tax clinic and check its availability

What to Do Now:

• ✓Open a Canadian bank account (you'll need ID, study permit, and proof of address)
• ✓Create a monthly budget: track income (work, family support) and expenses (rent, food, tuition, transportation)
• ✓Look for student banking packages with no monthly fees and free transactions
• ✓Use free budgeting apps or spreadsheets to track spending
• ✓Build an emergency fund (aim for $500-1000 if possible)
• ✓Understand credit scores and use credit cards responsibly if you get one

Types of Support:

• •Scholarships: Merit-based, competitive, usually don't need to be repaid
• •Bursaries: Need-based, may consider financial hardship, usually don't need to be repaid
• •Grants: Funding purposes and conditions vary; check the provider's requirements and any repayment conditions
• •Emergency Aid: Short-term financial assistance for urgent situations (unexpected expenses, crisis)
• •Loans: Must be repaid (government student loans, bank loans)

What to Do Now:

• ✓Check your school's Financial Aid or Awards office website for available opportunities
• ✓Check each award's student-status and other eligibility criteria; international students should ask about school-specific options. Check StudentAid BC eligibility →
• ✓For emergency aid, ask your school's Financial Aid office what is available and how long decisions take
• ✓Check each provider's current deadline and required documents; do not assume a shared application calendar
• ✓Keep documentation ready: proof of income, expenses, and any financial hardship

Email Template: Request for Bursary/Emergency Aid Info

What to Do Now:

• ✓Check your school's Career Services or Co-op Office for job postings and co-op programs
• ✓Use WorkBC for official BC job listings and career resources
• ✓For co-op placements, confirm current IRCC eligibility and your school's placement requirements before starting
• ✓Network with professors, classmates, and industry professionals
• ✓Be cautious of job scams - never pay upfront fees, verify employers, watch for red flags
• ✓Keep a record of your work experience for your resume and future job applications

Useful Links:

• WorkBC - Official BC Employment Services →External