In an announcement on Friday, B.C. Premier John Horgan declared an expansion of the tuition waiver program for former youth in care.

Post-secondary tuition fees will be waived starting this school semester for students who have previously been in foster care, at all 25 of B.C.’s public universities.

This is an expansion of the former youth in care fee-waiver program that was previously only applicable to 11 institutions.

In order to qualify for the program, students must be from B.C., between 19-26 years old, and been in foster care for at least 2 years.

And if you are eligible and have already paid your fees for the upcoming semester, you will be refunded.

“We’re in a position to make life better for young people who grew up without family stability,” said Premier Horgan. “By bringing down barriers to opportunity, and making advanced education more accessible, we can clear the path to success for these young people.”

For now, the cost of the program will be covered by the Ministry of Advanced Education, Skills and Training.

To ensure its continuation, a more concrete program is being devised in partnership with the Ministry of Children and Family Development, for the 2018-19 budget.

Click here to find out more about the program and what it could mean for the future of B.C.