Image: ChillTV /  Chilliwack school trustee Teri Westerby (left) and Chilliwack firefighter Terry Brown are on a mission to ensure parents don't miss out on free government grants and bonds that help pave the way for students to access postsecondary opportunities. Westerby and Brown teamed up to get a website, GetYourBonds.ca, up and running to enable parents to gain access to government grants and bonds. 

By Mike Vanden Bosch

Government grants for education

Chilliwack duo teams up to ensure parents don’t miss out on govt. grants and bonds

Sep 26, 2024 | 3:17 PM

CHILLIWACK — Chilliwack school trustee Teri Westerby and Chilliwack firefighter Terry Brown are on a mission to ensure parents don’t miss out on free government grants and bonds that help pave the way for students to access postsecondary opportunities.

Brown and Westerby collaborated on a website, GetYourBonds.ca, so that every Chilliwack-area family can receive free government grants and bonds. The goal behind the website is to eliminate any unnecessary financial obstacles when students head off to university, trade school or other accredited postsecondary institution.

In addition to a newly released ChillTV video, filmed with Chillwack MLAs Kelli Paddon and Dan Coulter, along with fellow trustees Willow Reichelt and Carin Bondar, Westerby has created the user-friendly website, GetYourBonds.ca, to make it easier than ever for families to see what financial programs are available and understand how to sign up. The website delineates every single step needed to access the free money by erasing some of the complexities that can often preclude people from claiming what’s rightfully theirs. Surprisingly, only one-third of eligible Canadians have signed up for these free grants and bonds, meaning the majority are missing out on thousands of dollars.

“There’s significant free money available, but most families don’t even know it exists,” said Westerby. “We want to change that and make sure every family in Chilliwack, and beyond, takes advantage of these opportunities.”

Brown’s passion for this cause stems from his personal experience. After discovering these programs for his own three children, he emerged as a fierce advocate by helping dozens of local families secure thousands of dollars in free grants and bonds. His efforts have empowered families to access educational and disability savings programs they never knew existed.

Government grants for education

Chilliwack duo teams up to ensure parents don't miss out on govt. grants and bonds

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“Kids are more likely to pursue post-secondary education when they know they’ve got money in the bank for it,” said Brown. “I want every family in Chilliwack to understand that this money is there for them—free money for their children’s futures and their own retirement planning if they’re disabled.” The key programs include:

● Canada Learning Bond (CLB): Up to $2,000 for children from low-income families, with no personal contributions required.

● BC Training & Education Savings Grant (BCTESG): Up to $1,200 for eligible students, regardless of income, with no contributions required.

● Canada Disability Savings Bond (CDSB): Up to $1,000 per year for up to 20 years for qualified Canadians that receive the Disability Tax Credit and no deposits are required.

The website aims to ensure that no student or disabled individual misses out on their chance for financial assistance, underscored by a goal of aiding families across Chilliwack and the rest of Canada to get the funding they deserve.

To learn more and to start applying for these programs, visit www.getyourbonds.ca, or talk to your school’s administrator.