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How do I pay for my education and licensing in Ontario?

Restarting your career as an internationally trained professional can be challenging. You may require expensive education, certification, and/or licensing costs.

Fortunately, there are options to help you pay for your education and licensing in Ontario. Picking the right type of support depends on your needs and personal or financial situation.

Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP)

Managed by the Government of Ontario, OSAP offers a mix of grants and loans to pay for full or part-time college or university programs.

Who is eligible?

• Canadian citizens
• Permanent residents
• Protected persons or convention refugees

What can it help you pay?

• Program fees and materials
• Living expenses

Useful for:

• Students entering approved college or university programs in Ontario
• Those with families (additional funds available for those with spouses and children)
• Those willing to repay student loans over a long period

Not Useful for:

• Costs other than college/university programs - OSAP does not cover licensing costs (exams, preparation courses, etc.), or online/certificate programs from private schools
• Students entering (bridge training programs)*

If you are an* internationally-trained-professional enrolling in select bridge training programs, the Ontario Bridging Participant Assistance Program (OBPAP) is recommended. OBPAP is a maximum $5,000 bursary for students in approved bridge training programs, offered by the Ontario Government.

Student Line of Credit

A student line of credit is a loan from a regulated financial institution (usually a bank) which lets you borrow money as needed, up to a pre-set limit.

Who is eligible?

• Canadian citizens
• Permanent residents

What can it help you pay?

• Most costs related to education, as needed

Useful for:

• Those seeking lower interest rates
• Borrowers with strong financial literacy and good borrowing habits
• Those seeking flexibility - funds can usually be spent at your discretion

Not useful for:

• Recent newcomers or those in a poor financial situation (i.e., without good credit history)
• Those without a previous relationship with financial institutions in Canada

Not-For-Profit Microlending

Microlending provides small loans (10,000 on average) with low-interest for those without access to conventional banking. They are exclusively for internationally-trained professionals working to restart their careers.

Who is eligible?

• Canadian citizens
• Permanent residents
• Protected persons or convention refugees
• Provincial nominees

What can it help you pay?

• Most costs related to education and licensing, as needed
• Living and travel expenses
• Qualification assessments

Useful for:

• Newcomers who cannot qualify for a loan from a traditional lender
• Those unable to fully support their expenses with other options
• Those who have a range of costs (schooling, licensing, certification, etc.)
• Those in a poor financial situation (e.g., no credit history, income, employment, or co-signer)
• Those seeking additional support beyond just money. May include connections to employment assistance, such as career counsellors, mentoring, and professional associations.

Not useful for:

• Those who can afford to pay for training or licensing costs out of their pocket

Scholarships

A scholarship is financial aid offered to students furthering their education. They are available at some learning institutions and private foundations.

Useful for:

• Anyone eligible. This is free money meant to reward a promising student based on their academic performance, extra curricular involvement, specific talents, hobbies, ethnic backgrounds or family affiliations

Not Useful for:

• Students who fail to meet specific criteria (such as academic or athletic performance)
• Newcomer students who may struggle to compete against others with Canadian student history
• Those applying to ineligible institutions and programs