1.0 Student Account
1.1.1 Log On/Off
A student logs on or off for the first time and sets up an account through the use of BC Services Card.
BCSC alternate solution will provide for around 0.8% of students, plus a similar proportion of parents and spouses. These are users who are unable to access the system or unable to complete the application process using BC Services Card as the authentication method.
Process Description:
This feature allows the student to sign up, log in and log off of their personalized SIMS student account. It also provides capability for parents or spouses to log in and log off to their respective accounts which are linked to a student account. An authenticated BC Service Card or BCSC alternate login method will allow users to access SIMS. SIMS maintains all login and logout user history.
1.1.2 Provide Account Information
A student adds required, contact information to their account after an initial log in.
Process Description:
A student needs to add a valid SIN# and their demographic (Address, Phone # etc.) information. They can then save that information in the system. This information collected from the student and similarly from parents/partners is factored in when assessing a student’s financial need and calculating an assessment award.
1.1.3 Update Account Information
A student updates contact and/or personal information in their account after logging in.
Process Description:
A student at any point of time while their account is still active can modify their demographic information only. They can view their personal details (read only), however to change it, a student will have to update their information with BCSC (a link is provided).
1.1.4 Home Page
This is the user landing page.
Process Description:
Once the user has successfully logged in to SIMS they will be taken to the Homepage/Dashboard. From this page, students can start a new application, manage loans or contact the help center.
1.2.1 SIN Validation
SIMS verifies a student's Social Insurance Number (SIN) on account set up and account update (phone number, address).
Process Description:
When a student first logs in and completes their profile, their account is flagged for SIN validation with Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC). Until the SIN comes back as a match, the student is restricted from doing certain things. If SIN validation fails, the student is restricted until they resolve the discrepancy on their own or by contacting SABC.
Every time a student updates their account, SIN validation is triggered by the system. All in-flight disbursements are halted until SIN validation is confirmed.
When a student enters a SIN (temporary) number that starts with a 9, the student is prompted to upload a supporting document to confirm their status. The student then completes their profile. In future when a student with a temporary SIN gets a permanent SIN, the Ministry user will be able to update this.
In certain scenarios, a Ministry user may need to override a failed SIN check. In this case, they can skip the validations and manually enter the SIN number and expiry date.
1.2.2 PD Verification
Student can request and receive a permanent disability (PD) status.
Process Description:
Students can request permanent disability status at their SIMS account level. Permanent Disability status is pending until status is confirmed by Assistive Technology BC (ATBC). Based on the validation check from ATBC, a student is either granted or denied a PD status in SIMS.
If a student is granted a PD status, they become eligible and hence may receive funding for provincial and federal grants/bursaries.
1.2.3 Income Verification
Verify student's income when a FT/PT application is submitted
Process Description:
When a student submits a FT/PT application they provide their line 15000 income. Once an application is summited SABC is required to validate the income with CRA.
1.2.4 Credit Check
Verify a student's credit when a FT/PT application is submitted
Process Description:
Similar to the CRA validation for income assessment, SABC is required to verify certain student’s (e.g. first time applicants) credit. For an application to successfully go through financial need assessment, credit check must pass or else the application will not go through assessment and the student will be informed. In addition, a restriction will be applied to the student account.
1.3.1 View Messages
Students can view messages from the system or SABC
Process Description:
When student(s) logs in to SIMS they might see a notification/alert (in red) which means that there is a new message for them to view. Upon having read the message the notification icon goes away meaning that the latest message(s) have been read by the student(s). All historical messages are stored in a message center for the students to view and take note.
1.3.2 Upload Files
Students and Ministry staff can upload files to student accounts
Process Description:
A student may need to provide supporting information or submit other documents not part of their application. For this reason, when a student uploads a file using the file upload feature, SABC is required to review the file to determine its appropriate course of action. A notification is sent to SABC when student uploads a document in their account.
Similarly, Ministry users also have this feature available to correspond with students as needed and student(s) will be notified in the same manner.
Historically uploaded documents are available to be viewed by users.
1.4.1 Add or Remove a Restriction on the student or institution account
Ministry or Federal Government can add, or remove a restriction on a student or institution account.
Process Description:
Restriction(s) may be added to a student or institution accounts during various stages and can be removed once the requirement set by Student Aid BC Policy has been met. This status inhibits the ability to perform various actions in SIMS without intervention from Student Aid BC staff.
Ministry/Federal Government users can add one or more restriction(s) on a student/institution account which can lead to cases such as, barring student’s ability to receive any disbursement(s) or submit new applications, or stopping the institution from adding new education programs or becoming designated etc.
Ministry/Federal Government users have the ability to remove restriction(s) on a student or institution account.
1.4.2 View a Restriction on a Student Account
Users have the ability to view a restriction on a student account
Process Description:
A ministry user will be able to see all active or resolved restrictions and associated details of a student or institution account. This will include profile information, restrictions, and notes.
A student/institution can also view restrictions applicable to their SIMS account in the system. These could be warnings or errors and are shown throughout in the system as header banners. Restriction(s) can be viewed under the Account Activity.