Important: The Access to Practical Nursing (APN) Education Bursary Program is Concluding on May 31, 2026.

The Access to Practical Nursing (APN) Education Bursary, which provides up to $10,000 to eligible students enrolled in an APN program at a qualifying B.C. public institution, will conclude as scheduled on May 31, 2026.

• New applicants: If your program begins before May 31, 2026, please review the eligibility criteria carefully before applying.
• Current and ongoing bursary recipients: Please ensure all required documents are submitted within 30 days after the start of each semester.

Applicants are encouraged to check the website frequently to ensure they have the most up-to-date information.

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 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, 2026.
• The applicant demonstrates proof of registration with the BC Care Aide & Community Health Worker Registry.
• The applicant must have a valid Social Insurance Number (SIN) as of the date they submit their application 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 and complete 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.
• The recipient submits these documents no later than thirty (30) days after the start of each semester.

Note: Our team is a division of Health Employers Association of British Columbia (HEABC). All funds will be disbursed by HEABC and installments are paid directly to the recipient. Disbursements 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, 2026.
• A copy of your APN program tuition statement dated at least two weeks following the start of the term.
• 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.

*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.

APN Education Bursary – Program Closure FAQ

The Access to Practical Nursing (APN) Education Bursary (the Bursary), offered through Choose2Care and funded by the Ministry of Health, is approaching its planned program closure. These FAQs explain what the closure means for applicants and current recipients.