The Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) offers student aid through grants and student loans. Students in this province can use this resource as funding for any accredited post-secondary institution.
However, for many, there are barriers to these resources. Therefore, individuals who fall into certain categories such as being Indigenous can access additional funding through OSAP and other programs.
The extra amounts available are meant to bridge accessibility gaps and help more people access higher education.
Funding For Indigenous Students Through OSAP
Like any other student, Indigenous students can apply for a student loan through OSAP. However, additionally, OSAP offers other grants and bursaries for Indigenous students.
Here are some other programs indigenous students can apply for:
Indigenous Student Bursary
Indigenous students attending an eligible university/college or an Aboriginal institute in Ontario can qualify for $1,000 to $3,500. To apply simply visit your school’s student aid office and ask for the Indigenous Student Bursary application.
Ontario Indigenous Travel Grant
This program is meant to assist Indigenous students with the travel cost of transit between their post-secondary institution and their remotely-located First Nations residences.
The grant covers the costs of air travel and other modes of transportation. The amount you can qualify for depends on your travel method and whether you have a spouse and/or children relocating with you.
| Single (spouse and/or children not relocating with you) | Your spouse and/or dependent children are also relocating to live with | |
| Air | $1,300 per trip for a maximum of four one-way trips (up to $5,200 total) per academic year | $1,300 per trip for a maximum of two one-way trips per person (up to $2,600 total per person) per academic year |
| Other Travel Methods | $75 each trip for a maximum of four one-way trips (up to $300 total) per academic year | $75 each trip for a maximum of four one-way trips (up to $150 per person) per academic year |
| Private vehicle | $0.41 per kilometre travelled | $0.41 per kilometre travelled |
Other Financial Aid Programs For Indigenous Students
Métis Student Bursary Program
This funding is issued through the Metis Nation of Ontario. It is meant for Metis students who are participating in a post-secondary program at an accredited institution. You can access this service through student support at your Ontario school.
Alternative ways to approach the program include contacting Financial Aid directly. Bursaries are funds which do not need to be repaid. In most situations, they are meant to bridge financial gaps, so having both a strong GPA and financial need helps in access. Keep your transcripts and financial documents to assist in the process.
Post-Secondary Student Support Program
Under this program, the Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) provides Indigenous students in post-secondary schools with financial aid. The program provides funding for tuition, books, living allowances and travel.
The maximum amount you can get under this program is $53,000 per year. However, in some rare cases, you may qualify for $90,000 if you’re pursuing an advanced degree such as a masters or doctoral program.
To apply, you’ll have to get in contact with the ISC regional office.
Indspire
A single application is all you need to fill out to be considered for all 66,000 student scholarships and bursaries under Indspire’s Building Brighter Futures: Bursaries and Scholarships (BBF) program. They’re all designed specially for First Nations, Inuit and Métis students.
Extra Funding For Students In Special Circumstances
Indigenous students are not the only ones eligible for extra funding through OSAP. Students in special circumstances are also eligible for extra funding.
Students With Disabilities
Those who suffer from permanent disabilities are eligible for full-time funding through OSAP, provided the individual meets certain criteria. To be eligible for this funding, you must:
- Take at least a 40 percent course load.
- Self-identify as having a disability, meaning no medical paperwork is required, though it could be requested.
If you require extra assistance, you can apply for other programs to help cover costs specific to those with disabilities, including:
- The Bursary for Students with Disabilities
- Canada Student Grant for Services and Equipment for Students with Permanent Disabilities
Can You Apply For OSAP If You’re On ODSP?
Yes, if you access financial support via the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP), you remain eligible for the OSAP program. In fact, the student can continue receiving ODSP payments to assist with the cost of living while still receiving OSAP. Since ODSP payments are exempt from the financial criteria used to assess bursaries and grants, there is no issue getting both services concurrently.
Reasons For Special-Circumstances Funding
There are many circumstances beyond the control of the student pursuing post-secondary. The three key barriers addressed by the extenuating circumstances component of OSAP are: disability, First Nations access, and government-regulated welfare programs. Each of these categories is vulnerable to specific barriers to higher education. The programs here are designed to address this differential. Extenuating circumstances can range from intergenerational barriers to funding to disabilities barring you from funding the excursion.
Historically, those funded by these OSAP programs have been drastically under-represented in post-secondary institutions. The best way to address that differential is to ensure that those who are eligible for these programs are aware and able to apply. Whether it is a matter of transportation from remote and hard-to-access zones or about getting out of a social-assistance cycle, these programs lend ample assistance.
Final Thoughts
According to the most recent Census data, while there remain substantial gaps in salary along gender lines, those with post-secondary education almost always lead to increased income. The exception is women graduating from an apprenticeship. In every other situation, higher learning leads to higher earnings. Extra funding for OSAP students in special circumstances assists those who would otherwise be unable to access post-secondary education. It also assists in limiting debt after graduation. If you are eligible for any of the extenuating circumstances programs, applying can make a difference in your financial future.
