Education Support
Are you thinking about a postsecondary education? Did you know there is support available to help pay for school? Bursaries and OSAP are a few resources you can consider to help pay for your education.
What is a bursary?
A bursary is a monetary award made to an individual to help pay for postsecondary education. The recipient does not need to repay this money.
What is OSAP?
The Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) is a financial aid program for students persuing postsecondary studies. Talk to your worker or caregiver about how to apply for bursaries and/or OSAP. There is a lot of information which can be overwhelming, so it’s always good to go through it with someone you trust.
Posted below is additional information on bursaries and OSAP.
Post Secondary Education Tips
This guide is meant to be used by caseworkers, foster parents, youth and anyone interested in helping youth make the transition from high school to post-secondary education.
It can be used in its entirety or readers may refer to the sections of interest to them. Resources are provided for each section.
In this guide, we recommend practical strategies and resources to give youth in foster care the secondary education, academic guidance, and support they need to complete postsecondary education or training. (Throughout this guide, postsecondary education refers to four-year universities offering a bachelor’s degree; two-year colleges, offering both two-year diplomas and certficate programs; and career and technical programs that usually offer certification in a particular skill, such as culinary arts or computer repair.)
Recommendation 1 - Foster High Academic Aspirations
Recommendation 2 - Encourage Long-Term Planning for Postsecondary Education
Recommendation 3 - Stress Rigorous Academic Preparation
Recommendation 5 - Financial Application
Recommendation 6 - Engage Young Adults Who Have Missed out on Postsecondary Preparation
Recommendation 7 - Help Students Adjust to and Complete Their College or Training Program
Dare to Dream Bursary Program
The Dare to Dream Bursary is an educational bursary program for youth in care of the Children’s Aid Society.
Bursaries range from $1,000 to $4,000 per year for college and university students. The bursary program, managed by the Champions For Children Foundation, has awarded over $1 million dollars to Ottawa CAS youth over the last 12 years.
You can apply for this program if you have completed high school, and have demonstrated a willingness and desire to continue with your education. The selection criteria evaluates candidates on various levels, and does not reward only those with a high grade point average, but focuses on youth who have the motivation and desire to make their “dream” come true.
For more information on the Dare to Dream Bursary Program visit championsforchildrenfoundation.ca.
The Clark Bursary Awards
The Clark Bursary Fund was established in 1989 through a generous donation by Ron and Nancy Clark of Caledonia. It was created to assist youth in care and former wards to achieve their academic and career goals.
- Students attending College will receive $3,000 per year for two years (or three years depending on program).
- Students attending University will receive $4,500 per year for up to four years.
- Clark-Bursary recipients are eligible to receive the Clark Graduation award – a monetary gift of $1,000.
Nominations of the Clark Bursary must be submitted by a Children’s Aid Society. The nominees are the selected candidates from their agency and will have secured a personal reference to support their application.
For more information on the Clark Bursary Awards visit the OACAS website.
Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP)
OSAP helps qualified students have an opportunity to pursue a postsecondary education in Ontario. It provides financial support for tuition, books and when applicable, living expenses, to students who do not have the resources to meet these costs.
Assistance is based on financial need as established by the federal and/or provincial governments through an assessment of your application.
Visit the Ontario Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities website for more information and additional support available to crown wards.
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