OSAP & Better Jobs Ontario application support

Support for researching study programs, vocational training, and application preparation in Ontario. KeyApply will discuss your academic goals, personal status, and appropriate application pathways before you register for a program.

Service: Consultation Request — 0 CAD. This is an initial consultation request with KeyApply, not an amount to be provided by the government.

Information updated: 12/10/2026.

New notice regarding OSAP payments to private institutions

On October 6, 2026, Ontario announced a pause on OSAP disbursements related to private post-secondary educational institutions during an audit. Before paying tuition or relying on expected financial aid, verify the latest status with your school and OSAP.

Read the official Ontario announcement

OSAP: grants and student loans

OSAP combines federal and Ontario support. Grants do not need to be repaid; loans must be repaid. Eligibility includes Canadian citizenship, permanent residency, or protected person status, Ontario residency criteria, financial need, and an eligible school/program.

For study periods beginning on or after August 1, 2026, a larger portion of Ontario OSAP support is shifting to loans; students at career colleges will receive their entire provincial portion as a loan. Do not use grant amounts or percentages from previous years to estimate funding for 2026–2027.

Newcomers must have their residency criteria checked against their specific files. Being over 19 does not automatically qualify one as an independent student or exempt them from declaring parental income.

Source: Learn about OSAP · OSAP definitions.

Better Jobs Ontario: training support for career changes

Better Jobs Ontario, formerly Second Career, supports eligible individuals in training for occupations with strong job prospects. The program targets those who have been laid off and are unemployed, or low-income households struggling to find work. The low-income household stream includes a criteria of 12 weeks of unemployment; Employment Ontario assesses all eligibility requirements.

• Courses up to 1 year: maximum support of 28,000 CAD.
• Courses longer than 1 year up to 2 years: maximum 35,000 CAD.
• Expenses may include tuition, books, travel, and living costs; basic living allowance max 500 CAD/week.

These are caps, not default amounts. Your application and financial need determine the approved funding. Work with Employment Ontario before starting your course.

Source: Better Jobs Ontario · Employment Ontario Program Guidelines.

Other vocational training support programs in Ontario

Beyond OSAP and Better Jobs Ontario, you may consider the options below. Each program has its own requirements regarding status in Canada, courses, training providers, and application processes.

1. Pre-Apprenticeship Training

Suitable for those who want to enter a trade but lack the skills or experience to find an apprenticeship position. This Ontario-funded program can last up to 52 weeks, including safety training, academic skill upgrading, basic trade training, and an 8–12 week placement.

Training costs: free for funded programs. Contact the college or community organization offering the course to inquire about recruitment schedules and eligibility. Not all courses labeled “pre-apprenticeship” are government-funded.

View Ontario’s Pre-Apprenticeship programs

2. Apprentice Development Benefit — support during theoretical training

Available for eligible apprentices attending full-time classroom training at a Ministry-approved training provider. The benefit can help cover living expenses, travel, commuting from home, dependent care, and disability-related needs.

Upon receiving your class schedule, ask your training provider or Employment Ontario about the application process and support compatible with your EI status. This is not an automatic grant for every student in a college vocational program.

3. Tools Grant — support for purchasing trade tools

A cash grant for eligible Ontario apprentices to purchase tools and equipment for their trade. It does not need to be repaid but is taxable income. Eligibility and funding levels depend on the trade group and training progress; check before applying.

View Tools Grant and Apprentice Development Benefit criteria

Distinction between apprenticeship and vocational courses: Apprenticeship begins with a Training Agreement with an employer/sponsor and registration with Skilled Trades Ontario. Simply enrolling in a vocational course at a college does not mean you have become an apprentice.

Learn how to start an apprenticeship

4. Ontario Learn and Stay Grant — health programs and post-graduation commitment

Supports tuition, books, and direct educational costs for certain nursing, paramedicine, and medical laboratory technology/science programs in designated schools and regions. Recipients must fulfill a service commitment to work in the designated field and region as per their agreement.

Failure to meet the commitment may result in the grant converting into a loan. You must refer to the list of programs and schools for the 2026–2027 academic year; do not assume every PSW course or health school is supported.

Check supported programs, schools, and regions

5. Women’s Economic Security Program — WESP

Designed for low-income women looking to upgrade skills, find employment, or start a business. These free programs may include apprenticeship preparation, employment skills, and business training. Ontario's current list includes hair styling business training.

Apply directly to the organization offering the program. Fields of study, locations, capacity, and recruitment schedules vary by provider; this is not cash provided for any elective course.

View WESP provider list

6. Ontario Job Grant — OJG: employer-led application

OJG supports businesses in training current or new employees, up to 10,000 CAD per person for eligible costs. Businesses with under 100 employees hiring and training unemployed individuals may be eligible for 100% funding, up to 15,000 CAD per person.

Employers must apply and meet requirements regarding cost-sharing, trainees, and training providers. Trainees cannot apply for this funding independently. Eligibility and approval must be confirmed before training commences.

View Ontario Job Grant

Which path should you research first?

This table helps guide your research and does not replace official eligibility assessment. If you are already receiving other support, declare it fully and ask the administrator about how to coordinate funding before registering for classes.

What does KeyApply support?

• Discussing your academic goals and career change needs.
• Guiding you in preparing a list of documents regarding residency status, income, family, and your planned program.
• Assisting with using estimation tools and distinguishing between grants and loans.
• Guiding you on how to contact financial aid offices, Employment Ontario, apprenticeship providers, or program administrators to verify eligibility.
• Discussing human resources training support for businesses interested in the Ontario Job Grant.

When booking an appointment, provide your status in Canada, location, current employment, and the program you are interested in. KeyApply does not determine eligibility or government funding amounts.