Post-secondary Funding in British Columbia

May 8, 2008
Ministry of Advanced Education

Post Secondary Operating Budgets

• Provincial funding that goes directly to post secondary institutions for operating and delivering educational programs will increase by more than $68 million in the 2008/09 fiscal year. The highest level of base operating funding ever.
• Every public post-secondary institution will see increases in their base operating funding from the Ministry of Advanced Education.
• B.C.’s six universities will receive more than $975 million in base operating grants this year.
• The college, university-college and institutes sector will see an increase in base operating funding to $678.4 million this year.

Funding adjustments in 2008-2009:

• Provincial funding has significantly increased access to post-secondary institutions throughout the province, increasing enrolment opportunities so that students with a B average in high school now have ready access to B.C. universities.
• Although access has improved, the overall number of students in the post-secondary system has increased less than previously forecast.
• Budget 2008 takes a renewed focus on available resources inside the post-secondary system and redirects funds previously approved for general seat growth to areas of high labour market demand.
• Funding for general seat growth continues under budget 2008/2009. In addition, there is:
• New funding for Negotiating Framework increases.
• New funding for College Pension Plan increases.
• New funding for priority seat growth – health programs, skilled trades, graduate student spaces, and Aboriginal access.

Additional Provincial contributions to post-secondary institutions.

• In addition to base funding, public post secondary institutions receive added funds for facility maintenance, research, special projects and capital projects.
• For example, in 2007/08:
• The University of British Columbia received an additional $15 million in special project funding including funds for expansion and Aboriginal programs and medical training. The province committed $131 million in new capital funding that will flow over the next several years.
• Simon Fraser University received $6.5 million in special project funding and commitments for $29.8 million in capital funding.
• Capilano College received more than $1 million in special project funding.
• The College of New Caledonia received $1.5 million in special projects and had capital projects approved totalling $6.4 million.
• Royal Roads University received commitment of $15 million towards a new academic building.

Operating Funds to public post-secondary institutions

*primarily targeted programs including non-recurring costs relating to the expansion of the medical program, and unallocated negotiating framework funding for Labour market adjustments.