Bursaries in Ontario
Bursaries in Ontario combine three funding streams: the non-repayable grant portion of OSAP (up to $11,582/year for low-income students), institutional bursaries from Ontario universities and colleges, and private bursaries from community foundations and employers. Unlike scholarships, bursaries are awarded primarily on demonstrated financial need rather than academic merit — making them the single largest pool of free money available to Ontario post-secondary students.
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When you apply for OSAP, the system automatically calculates a non-repayable grant alongside any loan. For low-income families this grant alone can cover tuition entirely. There is no separate bursary application — apply once via OSAP.
- Family income under $50,000: maximum grant — often covers full tuition
- Family income $50,000–$100,000: partial grant
- Family income $100,000–$175,000: smaller grant; loan-heavy
- Apply at ontario.ca/osap at least 3 months before classes start
Every Ontario university maintains its own bursary fund for students facing demonstrated need. These are separate applications, usually open in September or October each year. Apply early — funds are limited and distributed first-come.
- University of Toronto: UTAPS guarantee — bridges any gap between OSAP and total cost
- Queen's University: General Bursary plus dozens of named bursaries
- McMaster University: General In-Course Bursary, plus emergency bursaries
- Western University: In-Course Bursary, Emergency Bursary, and program-specific funds
- Most colleges: General Bursary + program-specific awards
Beyond government and university funding, hundreds of private bursaries are offered by Ontario foundations, service clubs, unions, and corporations. Many are highly targeted (e.g. children of union members, residents of a specific city).
- Ontario Trillium Scholarship: $40,000/year × 4 years for international PhD students
- Local community foundation bursaries (Toronto Foundation, Hamilton Community Foundation, etc.)
- Service-club bursaries (Rotary, Kiwanis, Lions Club) in many Ontario towns
- Indigenous bursaries through Indspire and provincial Indigenous organizations
Start with our free quiz to surface matched bursaries from our database, then layer government and institutional applications on top — they don't overlap, they stack.
- Step 1: Take our free 5-step matching quiz
- Step 2: File your OSAP application (covers federal + provincial grants automatically)
- Step 3: File your university's general bursary application (one form, many funds)
- Step 4: Search for 2–3 private bursaries that match your specific background
Frequently asked questions
Related bursaries in Ontario
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