Pacific Leaders Scholarships for Public Servants Program
Last updated: June 8, 2023
The Pacific Leaders Scholarships for Public Servants Program supports employee professional development in alignment with the current and future needs of the BC Public Service.
This scholarship program is for B.C. government employees aiming to attain a diploma, certificate or degree, not for those taking one or two courses.
Ministries may use their discretion to fund one or two developmental courses that don't lead to a certificate, diploma or degree.
The May 2023 scholarship intake is now closed. The September 2023 intake application will be posted at the end of July 2023.
On this page
- Program overview
- How it works
- Who can apply
- When to apply (intake deadlines)
- How to apply
- What to expect after you apply
- Ministry contacts
- Contact us
Program overview
This scholarship helps talented and motivated BC Public Servants advance their career goals by pursuing a formal program of study in areas related to the government's priorities.
Per 12-month scholarship year, recipients may be reimbursed:
- Up to a maximum of $5,000 for:
- Certificate programs
- Diploma programs
- Undergraduate degree programs
- Up to a maximum of $7,500 for:
- Master's degree programs
- PhD degree programs
- CPA Professional Education Program (CPA-PEP)
Programs of study must :
- Consist of measured components (such as graded exams, tests, assignments, etc.)
- Result in a final grade that's reflected on an academic transcript
Eligible for scholarship funding:
- Tuition
- Books
Not eligible for scholarship funding:
- Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR)
- Prerequisite courses
- CPA Prerequisite Education Program (CPA-PREP)
- Fees
The Pacific Leaders Scholarships for Public Servants Program supports developmental training leading to a certificate, diploma or degree.
To learn more about job related, mandatory and developmental training for BC Public Service employees:
- Refer to HR policy 02 – Learning and development (PDF, 102KB)
- Speak to your supervisor
- Contact AskMyHR
by submitting a service request using the categories Myself (or) My Team or Organization Career Development > Pacific Leaders Program
How it works
- Applications for certificate, diploma or degree programs at designated institutions are accepted for approval 3 times a year
- If you receive scholarship funding, you commit to a 'return of service.' For every 12-month period of scholarship funding, you agree to continue working in the BC Public Service for an additional specified time period in return. Review Return of service for more details
- Each scholarship runs for one 12-month period. Further funding requires an application form (PDF 211KB)
- If approved, pay for your tuition and books and then submit detailed receipts to your ministry for reimbursement up to the allowable maximum
- Funding is provided by your ministry/organization. Depending on the financial structure of your organization, the funding could come from your branch, division, or ministry budget. If you or your supervisor have questions about funding, contact your organization’s Human Resources branch
Regardless of any ministry pre-screening process that may be in place, approval can only be granted through the Pacific Leaders Scholarships for Public Servants program.
Who can apply
You're eligible to apply if you:
- Have passed your initial 6-month probationary period
- Have been assessed by your supervisor to be performing at a level of 'Achieves' or 'Exceeds Expectations'
- Are a regular full- or part-time employee with a BC Public Service employer. Eligible employers include all ministries and provincial organizations that are enabled under the Public Service Act
Review Eligibility for more details.
When to apply (intake deadlines)
Applications are processed 3 times per year according to 3 intake deadlines.
The scholarship year start and end dates are based on intakes, as shown below.
The first day of your scholarship year is the earliest date that your courses can begin.
Your courses are not reimbursed if they start either before or after your scholarship year.
| Intake date | Scholarship year start date | Scholarship year end date |
|---|---|---|
| January 31 | April 1 | March 31 the following year |
| May 31 | September 1 | August 31 the following year |
| September 30 | January 1 | December 31 |
January 31
For studies taking place between April 1 of this year and March 31 of next year, apply by January 31 of this year.
Example: January 31, 2018 is the intake for studies between April 1, 2018 and March 31, 2019.
May 31
For studies taking place between September 1 of this year and August 31 of next year, apply by May 31 of this year.
Example: May 31, 2018 is the intake for studies between September 1, 2018 and August 31, 2019.
September 30
For studies taking place between January 1 and December 31 of next year, apply by September 30 of this year.
Example: September 30, 2018 is the intake for studies between January 1, 2019 and December 31, 2019.
Applications are grouped and approved by intake, regardless of when they're received.
Please do not submit your application more than one month in advance of the deadline to ensure your information is current.
Late applications are not eligible.
How to apply
Before you apply, be sure to review all program information on these pages.
This is important information:
- Have a conversation with your supervisor about your educational goals and include them in the Learning Goals section of your MyPerformance Profile (or your organization’s equivalent)
- Contact your ministry or organization's Strategic Human Resources (SHR) branch, or equivalent, to check whether your organization has any policies or procedures that you need to be aware of when preparing your application
- Note that regardless of your ministry/organization's internal processes in support of a scholarship application:
- This is a corporate program and applications are not approved until the Pacific Leaders Scholarship Program adjudication process is undertaken. Scholarship approval is not provided at the ministry level
- The applicant is responsible to ensure that the application reaches the Pacific Leaders Scholarships administration office by the application deadlines shown on this site
- Follow the instructions on the application form below to complete your application package in full
- Incomplete applications cannot be processed
- Review Application process and renewal for additional information
A complete application package must include the following:
- A fully completed and signed application form (PDF, 211KB).
- You must use the form for the current intake, as indicated in Section 3 on page 2 of the form.
- The appropriate form for each intake is made available approximately 2 months prior to the intake deadline.
- If it's less than 2 months from an intake deadline and you're seeing an older version of the form, please clear your cache and try again.
- If you're still unable to see the current version of the form, email Pacific Leaders Scholarships for Public Servants
- A dated letter written and signed by you, that outlines how your education plans support your career goals and contribute to BC Public Service priorities
- One letter of support written and signed by your supervisor within 3 months of your application submission, recommending you for the Pacific Leaders Scholarships for Public Servants Program
- Your supervisor's signature on the application form, which confirms a performance rating of 'Achieves' or 'Exceeds Expectations' and signals your ministry's support for the application
- A copy of your course transcripts for renewal applications
Do not include additional documentation not listed in the Final Checklist for Applicants section of the form; additional documents will not be saved or included in the submission.
How to submit
Email a legible copy of the completed application package as a single, scanned PDF document to Pacific Leaders Scholarships for Public Servants and keep the original copy of your application package for your records.
If you do not have access to a scanner, please email Pacific Leaders Scholarships for Public Servants for alternate submission instructions.
Employees are responsible for ensuring applications are submitted to the Pacific Leaders Scholarships program's mailbox by the intake deadline.
What to expect after you apply
If approved, you'll receive an approval email approximately 4 to 6 weeks after the application deadline.
It will include:
- The details of your scholarship
- Your return of service obligation
- The name of a contact in your organization who can outline your reimbursement process
- A formal letter of approval, signed by the deputy minister of the BC Public Service Agency, on behalf of the Deputy Ministers' Committee on Public Service Innovation
Keep your approval email and letter; it will be required by your ministry when submitting requests for reimbursements.
If necessary, email the Pacific Leaders Scholarships for Public Servants program to request a copy of your approved application and/or approval email and letter.
Ministry contacts
Please email your specific Ministry contact as listed below for scholarship reimbursement
| Ministry / Organization | Contact(s) |
|---|---|
| Ministry of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills | Kim Kapelari |
| Ministry of Agriculture and Food | |
| Ministry of Attorney General – Corporate Management Services Branch | Natalia Ferreira |
| Ministry of Attorney General – Court Services Branch | |
| Ministry of Attorney General – BC Prosecution Service | Sandra Scherly |
| Ministry of Attorney General – Independent Investigations Office | Serena Chandi |
| Ministry of Attorney General – Information Systems Branch | Kelly Langham |
| Ministry of Attorney General – Justice Services Branch | |
| Ministry of Attorney General – Legal Services Branch | |
| Ministry of Attorney General – Multiculturalism and Anti-Racism | Elly Kim |
| Ministry of Attorney General – BC Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch (LCRB) | Rachel Bernal |
| Ministry of Attorney General – Provincial Court | Amy Yu |
| Ministry of Attorney General – Public Guardian and Trustee | Teesa Glass |
| Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General – BC Coroners Service | |
|
Ministry of Attorney General – Tribunal Sector (Includes the following commissions and boards)
|
|
| Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General – Community Safety and Crime Prevention Branch | |
| Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General – Corrections Branch | Shawna Laursen |
| Ministry of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness | Benjamin Becker |
| Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General – Policing and Security Branch | Nargis Kiewiet |
| Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General – Road Safety BC | Melanie Morneau |
| Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General – Gaming Policy and Enforcement Branch | Jennifer Bode |
| Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General – Cannabis, Consumer Protection and Corporate Policy | |
| BC Public Service Agency | |
| Ministry of Children and Family Development | |
| Ministry of Citizens' Services | Stephanie Rothwell |
| Destination British Columbia | |
| Ministry of Education and Childcare | |
| Elections BC | Lorena Tipton |
| Ministry of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation |
|
| Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy | |
| Environmental Assessment Office | |
| Ministry of Finance | Craig Browne |
| Ministry of Finance – BC Liquor Distribution |
|
| Ministry of Finance – Environmental Appeal Board | Vivia DeWolfe |
| Ministry of Finance – Public Sector Employers' Council Secretariat | |
| Ministry of Finance – Government Communications and Public Engagement | Djina Pavlovic |
| Ministry of Forests | Reimbursements |
| Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship | |
| Ministry of Health | |
| Ministry of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation | Reimbursements |
| Islands Trust | Julia Mobbs |
| Ministry of Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation | Brenden Liudzius |
| Ministry of Labour | Brenden Liudzius |
| Ministry of Mental Health and Addictions | Nicole Fyfe |
| Ministry of Municipal Affairs | Brenden Liudzius |
| Office of the Ombudsperson | |
| Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner | |
| Office of the Police Complaint Commissioner | |
| Office of the Merit Commissioner | |
| Office of the Premier – Cabinet Operations | Zita Baumann |
| Office of the Premier – Intergovernmental Relations Secretariat | Karen Milne |
| Office of the Representative for Children and Youth | Stephanie Addis |
| Office of the BC Human Rights Commissioner | Stephanie Addis |
| Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction SDPR – Employment and Assistance Appeal Tribunal |
Melissa Roht |
| Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport | Brenden Liudzius |
| Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure | |
| Ministry of Housing | Nikki Papadopoulos |
For more information about scholarships for public servants, please email Pacific Leaders Scholarships for Public Servants.
