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Ontario First Generation Bursary

Purpose

The Ontario First Generation Bursary is for postsecondary students whose parents have never attended postsecondary studies. It’s for students with financial need attending a publicly-assisted college or university in Ontario only.

How much can I get

The amount of bursary available varies and is determined by your school. Typically, the value ranges from $1,000 to $3,500, though institutions have discretion to set the value of individual bursaries. Contact your school’s financial aid office for details.

Who is eligible

You may be eligible if you meet all of these eligibility requirements:

  • You’re attending a publicly-assisted college or university in Ontario
  • Your parent(s) have never participated in postsecondary studies anywhere in the world on either a full or part-time basis.
  • You’re enrolled in a first-entry undergraduate program. Second entry programs (e.g., law or medicine) and graduate programs are not eligible.
  • You don’t already have a postsecondary degree, diploma or certificate.
  • You’re not receiving assistance through the Second Career program.
  • You meet the citizenship and Ontario residency requirements listed in the OSAP Application for Full-Time Students.
  • You’ve met the financial need criteria defined by your school for this bursary.

Check with your school as they may have additional eligibility requirements in addition to those listed above. For example, some schools require that you be in full-time studies.

You don’t have to apply for either OSAP for Full-Time Students or OSAP for Part-Time Students to be considered for this bursary.

How to apply

If you applied for either OSAP for Full-Time Students or OSAP for Part-Time Students, you must submit this application separately to be considered for the bursary.

Use your school’s Ontario First Generation Bursary application. The application will outline what supporting documents (if any) are required.

Deadlines

Application, document and review details for this bursary vary by school. Check with your school’s financial aid office for details.

Checking your application status

Contact your school’s financial aid office with any questions that you have on the status of your application.

Getting your aid

Check with your school. They determine how this bursary is issued (e.g. by cheque, reducing outstanding fees, etc.).