Register for courses and apply for OSAP or Better Jobs Ontario (formerly Second Career) funding.

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KeyApply would like to share a very important and practical topic for those living in Ontario, especially those who want to resume their studies, change careers, or are new immigrants:

🎓 “Ontario Scholarships - OSAP and Better Jobs Ontario.”

If you're thinking about going back to school but your finances aren't quite ready, the good news is: the province of Ontario may be able to pay for your tuition.

The two biggest programs currently are:

• OSAP - Ontario Student Assistance Program
• Better Jobs Ontario - formerly known as Second Career

🧭 GENERAL INTRODUCTION TO THE TWO PROGRAMS

First, to make it easier for everyone to understand, we would like to briefly explain the differences between these two programs:

Criteria	ASAP	Better Jobs Ontario (old Second Career)
Purpose	Support for students, those returning to school, and new immigrants.	Support for people who have lost their jobs, are unemployed, or want to change careers.
Form	Grant + Loan	100% funded, no repayment required.
Study time	No restrictions (college, university)	Maximum 2 years (in-demand, practical experience)
Residency requirements	Ontario residents, citizens, PR, or protected persons	OSAP variety
Power supply	Ontario Ministry of Education	Ontario Ministry of Labour & Skills Development

Both options can help you go to school without worrying about the financial burden.
The only difference lies in the target audience and objectives.

🎓 OSAP PROGRAM

🔹 What is OSAP?

OSAP stands for Ontario Student Assistance Program, a financial aid program for high school students and those returning to school. It consists of two parts:

• Grants - non-refundable funds
• Loans - money you have to repay after you finish your studies.

🔹 Basic requirements for OSAP

• You are a Canadian citizen, permanent resident (PR), or protected person.
• Being an Ontario resident means that Ontario is where you primarily lived before studying.
• If you are a recent immigrant and Ontario is your first place of residence, you are considered an Ontario resident immediately, without needing to live for 12 months.
• Currently enrolled in an OSAP-accredited program at an eligible college, university, or career college.
• There is a genuine financial need, meaning that income is not yet sufficient to cover the cost of study.

🔹 For new immigrants

If you have recently settled in Canada, have permanent residency (PR) or are recognized as a protected person, and Ontario is your first province of residence, then you are eligible for OSAP immediately.

You will need to prepare: PR Card, COPR, utility bills (electricity/water), house lease, Ontario driver's license, or bank statement to prove residency.

If you are still just a refugee claimant (applying for asylum), then you are not yet eligible.

🔹 For students returning to school (mature students)

If you are over 19 years old (high school graduate or not), employed, or have a family, you will still be considered for OSAP normally. In this case, you are considered an independent student, which has the following advantages:

• Parents' income is not required.
• OSAP only considers individual or spousal income.

Example:

• Ms. A, 35 years old, used to work as a nail technician and is now retraining in PSW (Personal Hands-on) technology.
• OSAP provided a $6,000 grant + an $8,000 loan = $14,000.
• If you only accept the grant, you don't need to repay anything after graduation.

🔹 How to choose to receive “Grant only”

When OSAP reviews applications, they divide them into:

• Grant: money that doesn't need to be paid
• Loan: tuition loan

You can choose to decline the loan and only receive the grant. That way, after you finish your studies, you won't owe anyone anything.

🔹 Specific amount of support

For full-time students

• Single students without children: maximum $525/week
• Students with families/young children: maximum $865/week
• Additional federal grant:
  • Full-time students: $6,300/year
  • People with disabilities: $2,800/year
  • For dependent children: $280/month/child

For part-time students

• Grant for part-time: $2,520/year
• Grant for parents with children: $2,688/year
• Disability grant: $2,800/year
• Ontario Provincial Grant: $500/year

🔹 How to estimate your cost (OSAP Aid Estimator)

Before submitting, you can visit: 🔗 osap.gov.on.ca/AidEstimator

Enter your basic information, and OSAP will tell you how many grants and loans you are eligible for.

🔹 Smart OSAP usage tips

• If you have sufficient funds, just accept the grant.
• Don't drop out of school midway, otherwise your grant might be converted into a loan.
• After completing your studies, you have a 6-month grace period before you have to repay the loan (if you have one).

🧱 BETTER JOBS ONTARIO - OLD SECOND CAREER

🔹 What is this?

Better Jobs Ontario is a provincial government program that provides training and career change funding.

The goal is to help people who have lost their jobs, are unemployed, or are working precariously to learn a new, in-demand trade.

Formerly known as Second Career, it was later renamed Better Jobs Ontario.

🔹 Who is eligible to participate?

You may be eligible if:

• Fired or unemployed
• Currently receiving EI, Ontario Works, ODSP, or have received it in the past.
• Being a citizen, PR, or protected person residing in Ontario.
• Have a specific vocational training plan, focusing on a profession with high demand for employment.

🔹 Funding level

• Courses ≤ 1 year (≤ 52 weeks): maximum $28,000
• Courses ≤ 2 years: maximum $35,000

Include:

• Tuition, textbooks, school fees
• Travel, daily life, and childcare.
• Support for students with disabilities or those living far from school.

💡 This is a grant - not a loan, you don't need to repay it after you finish your studies.

🔹 Funded occupations and fields of study

Only those occupations that are "in-demand" – those with high recruitment needs in Ontario.

For example:

• Health care: PSW, Nurse, Dental Assistant
• Trades: Electrician, Plumber, HVAC, Carpenter
• IT & Technology: Network Technician, Cybersecurity, Web Developer
• Business & Finance: Accounting, Payroll, HR
• Transportation: Truck Driver, Logistics

🔹 The school received funding.

You can study at:

• Public colleges: George Brown, Seneca, Centennial, Sheridan, Humber...
• Private career colleges: Anderson, Herzing, Medix, CDI, Oxford, Evergreen, CTS, Trios...

🧩 THE REAL PROBLEM: PUBLIC COLLEGE IS VERY DIFFICULT TO GET INTO

Public colleges almost always have full places in popular majors throughout the year. Admission requirements are high, and academic certificates or IELTS scores are necessary.

🏫 SOLUTION: STUDY AT A PRIVATE SCHOOL (CAREER COLLEGE)

Private schools that are accredited by the province and eligible to receive Better Jobs Ontario funding, for example:

• Anderson College
• Medix College
• Herzing, Oxford, CDI, Evergreen, Trios, CTS, Willis...

Advantage:

• Classes start year-round (new classes every 1-2 months).
• The entry requirements are easier, just a test or interview.
• Having a personal counselor to help you prepare your Better Jobs Ontario application is a good idea.
• Learn quickly, start working early (8-12 months)

📘 You can check the list of accredited schools at: 🔗 www.ontario.ca/privatecareercolleges

🔹 Application process

• Choose your school and major first – this is an extremely important tip!
• Contact your nearest Employment Ontario Service Provider.

Why?

• The Admissions departments at private schools are familiar with assisting with Better Jobs Ontario applications.
• They know how to write a career plan and which professions are most likely to get approved.
  
• I will explain to you how the scoring system works for approval.

Prepare the following documents:

• PR Card, EI document, or dismissal letter
• Letter of Acceptance from the school (LOA)
• Career Plan (with assistance from the school's counseling department)
• Estimated tuition costs
• Utility bills, income
• Processing time: 4–6 weeks.

🔹 Tips & Notes

• "In-demand" jobs = higher chance of approval
• Be honest about your reasons for changing careers.
• Complete the course in full – dropping out midway may result in funding being terminated.
• Maintain regular contact with your counselor and the school.

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