Questions & Answers

What happened?

On November 3, 2026, EducationPlannerBC identified a cybersecurity incident affecting our application system. An unauthorized actor gained access to a limited amount of applicant data including applicant names, contact details and gender. No social insurance numbers, banking information, or financial information were accessed.

What has EducationPlannerBC done in response?

EducationPlannerBC responded immediately to contain the incident and secure our systems, including taking our website and application services offline.

EducationPlannerBC remains committed to maintaining the privacy and security of its applicant records and is working closely with technical and cybersecurity experts to review security measures to further protect its systems and prevent future incidents.

Does this incident impact any other systems?

No other systems were impacted by this incident.

When will services be restored?

Teams are working to restore services as quickly and safely as possible.

How many people have been affected?

The ongoing investigation will determine how many individual’s accounts were impacted. More information will be made available once the investigation is complete.

What information was accessed?

Accessed information was limited to biographical information including applicant names, contact details, and gender. No social insurance numbers, banking information, or financial information were accessed.

Did every individual have the same information accessed?

The information affected varies from person to person. Most of the information affected includes email addresses and names.

Were only current applicants affected, or all individuals who have applied through EducationPlannerBC?

Accessed information may include historical data since 2016.

How will individuals know if they are affected?

You will be contacted directly if you are affected.

Will EducationPlannerBC contact affected individuals directly?

Yes, EducationPlannerBC will contact individuals via the email address they used to create their EducationPlannerBC user account.

What should I do now?

Remain alert for suspicious emails, text messages and telephone calls, particularly communications asking for personal information or directing you to unfamiliar websites.

What happens if a post-secondary application deadline passes while EducationPlannerBC services are offline?

EducationPlannerBC is working with post-secondary institutions to limit the impacts of being offline. It is recommended that applicants with impacted application deadlines contact their institution directly to learn more about any adjustments being made. Post-secondary institutional-specific incident related contact information is below.

Will applications already in progress be affected when the system is restored?

We do not expect applications already in progress to be affected. Once EducationPlannerBC’s services are restored, users should be able to sign in to their account and continue their application where they left off.

Will institutions provide application deadline extensions?

Each post-secondary institution will determine its own response to EducationPlannerBC’s application service being offline, including whether deadline extensions will be offered. For questions about a specific program or deadline, please contact the institution using the information provided in the table below.

How will I know if the program I am applying to has extended its application deadline?

Please contact the institution you are applying to confirm whether a deadline extension is available. Program application extensions will be reflected in EducationPlannerBC’s application service once it is back online.

Is there another way to submit an application while EducationPlannerBC’s services are offline?

Alternative submission options are institution specific. Some institutions may offer another way to submit an application. Please contact the institution you are applying to ask about available options.

What should I do while EducationPlannerBC’s services are offline?

• Check this page regularly for updates
• If you have upcoming application deadlines, contact the post-secondary institution, as listed below, to confirm your options.
• If you have already started an application, you do not need to restart once the system is back online, sign in to your account and continue where you left off.
• Avoid submitting duplicate applications through alternative methods unless the post-secondary institution advises you to do so.