Ontario Learn and Stay Grant

Overview

The Ontario Learn and Stay Grant provides funding for students studying in priority programs in priority communities in Ontario. This program:

• requires you to learn and work in the region where you study
• responds to labour market needs, including in health care
• helps communities get the workers they need for in-demand professions

In addition to providing free tuition,^{footnote 1[1]} the funding will cover the cost of:

• compulsory fees
• books
• other direct educational costs (for example, supplies, equipment)

You can also apply for the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) to help pay for other expenses, such as living costs.

Eligibility and program requirements

To be eligible for this grant, you must:

• successfully apply to and enrol in the first year of an eligible program in a priority community
• be an Ontario resident who is a Canadian citizen, permanent resident or protected person
• commit to fulfilling a service agreement and work in the same region where you studied after you graduate
• not be receiving funding from any of the following government programs:
  • The BEGIN Initiative: Bridging Educational Grant in Nursing
  • Better Jobs Ontario
  • Skills Development Fund

How to apply

Applications for the grant can be made online for eligible programs, institutions and regions of study beginning in 2023–2024.

Notice: Scheduled maintenance to the grant application site usually occurs on Sunday mornings. If you find that the application is unavailable on a Sunday morning, please try again later.

Online applications

Register for an account to apply for the Ontario Learn and Stay Grant if you do not have OSAP log in credentials.

Log in with existing OSAP credentials to apply for the Ontario Learn and Stay Grant.

Bookmark this page to check for more updates.

After you apply

If you apply online, you will be able to check the status of your application as soon as you submit it.

You'll find out:

• if your application has been processed
• if you have any documents you need to provide
• if you or your school have to provide information
• how much money you'll receive
• when your money will be available

After you graduate

You must fulfill a service commitment after you graduate to receive this grant. This includes working in the same service region of the province where you studied for at least 180 days (6 months) for every full year of study funded by the grant.

For example, if your program of study is 4 years long and you received funding all 4 years you studied, you must work in that same region for 24 months (2 years) after your graduation. The duration of your service commitment will be adjusted to reflect the amount of Ontario Learn and Stay Grant funding you receive. (For example, if you repeat a course and receive additional funding for it, the duration will be longer).

Your funding will be converted to a repayable loan if you do not meet all required conditions, including completing the service commitment.

You will see the full Service Commitment Agreement when you apply for the grant.

Find where you must study and work

If you receive the Ontario Learn and Stay Grant, you must study and work in either the north, east or southwest regions in Ontario depending on where you studied.

For example, a student studying at an institution located in a north region can work for an eligible employer in any of the public health units within the north region.

Ontario Learn and Stay Grant regions

The north, east or southwest regions are areas created by groupings based on public health unit boundaries^{footnote 2[2]}

Find the groupings on the regional map below.
Note: numbers identify specific public health units within each region.

North region

• Thunder Bay (6)
• Sudbury (12)
• North Bay-Parry Sound (21)
• Northwestern (24)
• Timiskaming (26)
•  Porcupine (33)
• Algoma (34)

East region

• Kingston Frontenac Lennox and
  Addington (16)
• Eastern Ontario (20)
• Ottawa (22)
• Leeds Grenville and Lanark (23)
• Renfrew County (27)
• Hastings Prince Edward Counties (30)

Southwest region

• Huron Perth/Oxford Elgin St. Thomas (2)
• Southwestern (4)
• Lambton (8)
• Middlesex-London (11)
• Chatham-Kent (15)
• Windsor-Essex County (17)
• Grey-Bruce (19)
• Haldimand-Norfolk (25)

Ontario Learn and Stay Grant regions

Regions based on Ontario Public Health Unit boundaries.

Image

Download map (PDF 1.3 MB)

Eligible programs, institutions and regions

The following programs, institutions and regional campus locations at the diploma, undergraduate, masters and postgraduate levels will be eligible for the 2023–2024 academic year.

Diploma programs

Eligible programs include:

• Practical Nursing
• Paramedic
• Medical laboratory technology/ medical laboratory science

Practical Nursing

Paramedic

Medical Laboratory Technology/ Medical Laboratory Science

Undergraduate programs

Bachelor or Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Master’s programs for Nursing

Postgraduate programs for Nursing