Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP)

OSAP is Ontario’s flagship student support program, offering a mix of grants and loans to thousands of students each year.

Ontario Learn and Stay Grant

Learn about postsecondary student funding to cover the costs of tuition, books and other direct educational expenses.

Financial aid from schools

You can check with a college or university directly to see what financial aid programs they offer.

You could be eligible for:

  • bursaries
  • scholarships
  • work-study programs
  • summer employment opportunities

These are all sources of money you don’t have to pay back.

Emergency loans

Most schools also offer emergency loans. For example, you could be eligible for a short-term loan (90 days) to cover tuition, if you’re waiting for OSAP to arrive.

Start with your financial aid office to learn what is available.

Scholarships and bursaries

Find out about other scholarships and bursaries through:

Graduate students: apply for the Ontario Graduate Scholarship or the Queen Elizabeth II Graduate Scholarship in Science and Technology at your school’s graduate office. You can get $5,000 per term, to a maximum of $15,000 for an academic year.

Bank loans

Banks, trust companies and credit unions offer student loans and lines of credit. Talk to your financial institution for information.

Self-funded

It’s a good idea to save money from a summer job or job you hold throughout the year to help pay for your education.

Your parents or other relatives might also be able to contribute to education costs.

Another option is to consider investing savings through a bank/financial institution – so that money can earn interest – if you plan to attend college or university in the future.