Going Back to School? Education Funding for Mature and Adult Learners in Canada

Going back to school as an adult is one of the most consequential decisions you can make -- and one of the most financially daunting. Whether you were laid off and need to retrain, want to advance in your career, or are pursuing a long-delayed educational goal, the cost of tuition, books, and living expenses while you study can feel like an insurmountable barrier.

Here is the good news: Canada has an extensive -- if poorly publicized -- set of funding programs designed specifically for mature and adult learners. There are no age limits on most provincial student aid programs. Federal and provincial governments fund retraining grants worth up to $35,000. Employment Insurance recipients can study full-time while collecting benefits. And the Canada Training Credit puts money directly into the hands of working Canadians who want to upgrade their skills.

The problem is that most of these programs are fragmented, poorly marketed, and difficult to navigate. Many adult learners do not realize they qualify for the same student aid as an 18-year-old straight out of high school. Others miss out on thousands of dollars in retraining grants because they do not know the programs exist.

This guide covers every major funding source available to mature and adult learners in Canada. Whether you are 25 or 55, employed or unemployed, this guide will help you find the financial support you need to go back to school.

What Is a Mature Student in Canada?

Before diving into funding programs, it is important to understand what "mature student" means in the Canadian education system, because the definition affects your eligibility for various programs.

General Definition

In most Canadian provinces and at most institutions, a mature student is someone who is:

• 19 years of age or older (in Ontario, most provinces use a similar threshold)
• Not currently enrolled in high school
• Applying to a post-secondary program without the standard high school prerequisites (in some cases)

Why the Definition Matters

As a mature student, you may be:

• Eligible for admission to programs without a high school diploma, based on life experience, mature student testing, or prerequisite courses
• Assessed differently for financial aid -- your parents' income is not considered once you meet certain independence criteria (varies by province, but typically after 4+ years out of high school or age 22+)
• Eligible for mature-student-specific grants and scholarships that are separate from those aimed at students coming directly from high school

The Most Important Thing to Know

There is no upper age limit for student financial aid in Canada. Whether you are 30, 45, or 60, you are eligible for OSAP, StudentAid BC, Alberta Student Aid, and every other provincial student aid program. Many mature students in their 30s, 40s, and 50s successfully receive full student aid packages every year.

Better Jobs Ontario (Formerly Second Career)

Better Jobs Ontario is one of the most valuable -- and most underused -- retraining programs in Canada. Formerly known as the Second Career program, Better Jobs Ontario provides non-repayable grants to help unemployed and underemployed Ontarians retrain for high-demand careers.

Funding Amounts

• Up to $28,000 for training programs of one year or less (including micro-credentials)
• Up to $35,000 for training programs of up to two years in duration

This funding covers:

• Tuition and compulsory fees
• Books and supplies
• Transportation costs
• Basic living expenses (a living allowance component)
• Childcare costs in some cases

Who Is Eligible

Better Jobs Ontario is designed for individuals who are:

• Unemployed or underemployed (working part-time, in a precarious job, or earning below a certain threshold)
• Laid off from their previous employment
• Looking to retrain for a career in a high-demand occupation
• Ontario residents

You do not need to be receiving Employment Insurance to qualify. The program is available to a broader range of workers than many people realize.

How to Apply

1. Find an Employment Ontario service provider in your community through ontario.ca/page/better-jobs-ontario
2. Meet with an employment counsellor who will assess your eligibility and help you develop a training plan
3. Identify an eligible training program at an approved institution (college, polytechnic, or private career college)
4. Complete the application with your employment counsellor's support
5. If approved, your funding is provided directly -- you do not need to repay it

Key Tips

• The program favours training in high-demand fields such as healthcare, skilled trades, IT, and transportation
• Your employment counsellor will help you make the case that your chosen program leads to employment in a high-demand area
• Processing times can vary, so apply well before your program start date
• For a complete breakdown of Ontario-specific funding, see our Ontario Student Funding Guide

Provincial Retraining Programs Across Canada

Better Jobs Ontario is the most well-known provincial retraining program, but every province and territory operates its own equivalent through Labour Market Development Agreements (LMDAs) with the federal government.

Alberta: Training for Work

Alberta offers several retraining programs for unemployed and underemployed adults:

• Foundational Learning Program: Funds academic upgrading and skills development for Albertans who need to improve literacy, numeracy, or essential skills before entering further training or employment
• Skills Development Program: Provides funding for occupational skills training, including tuition, books, living costs, and transportation
• Eligible Albertans can access support for both short-term and longer programs, with funding amounts determined by individual assessment

Learn more in our Alberta Student Funding Guide.

British Columbia: Skills Training Programs

BC administers training and skills development programs through the Ministry of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills:

• Skills training grants for unemployed and underemployed BC residents
• Community-based training programs delivered through local organizations
• Industry Training Authority (ITA) programs for trades and apprenticeship training

Learn more in our BC Student Funding Guide.

Quebec: Manpower Training Measure

Quebec administers its own retraining programs through the Ministere de l'Emploi et de la Solidarite sociale:

• Financial assistance for eligible workers pursuing training in high-demand fields
• Support for tuition, living expenses, and related costs
• Programs delivered through Emploi-Quebec service centres

Learn more in our Quebec Student Funding Guide.

Atlantic Canada: Provincial Training Programs

The Atlantic provinces (Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland and Labrador) each operate their own skills training programs under their LMDAs:

• Each province has employment centres that can refer eligible individuals to funded training
• Programs typically cover tuition, books, and living expenses for training in high-demand occupations

Learn more in our Atlantic Canada Student Funding Guide.

Saskatchewan and Manitoba

Both provinces offer training programs for unemployed and underemployed residents:

• Saskatchewan: Skills training benefits available through the Ministry of Immigration and Career Training
• Manitoba: Employment and Training Services provide funded training opportunities through community-based organizations

Learn more in our Saskatchewan Student Funding Guide and Manitoba Student Funding Guide.

EI-Funded Training: Get Paid to Learn

One of the most powerful but least understood funding mechanisms for adult learners is the ability to receive Employment Insurance benefits while attending full-time training. This is not a loophole -- it is an explicit provision of the EI Act designed to help unemployed Canadians upgrade their skills.

How It Works: Section 25 Referrals

Under Section 25 of the Employment Insurance Act, a designated provincial authority can issue a "Section 25 Referral" that allows you to receive your full weekly EI benefits while attending full-time training. Once referred, you are deemed unemployed and available for work purposes, which means:

• You can stop your job search and focus entirely on your studies
• You continue to receive your full weekly EI benefits (typically 55% of your average insurable earnings, up to a maximum)
• Your EI benefits are not reduced or clawed back because you are in training
• If your EI benefits run out before your training is complete, you may be eligible for provincial training grants to cover the remaining period

Who Is Eligible

To qualify for EI-funded training, you generally need to:

• Have an active or recent EI claim (regular benefits, not special benefits like maternity or sickness)
• Be referred to training by a provincial employment office or designated authority
• Be enrolled in an approved training program that will lead to employment in a high-demand occupation

How to Get a Section 25 Referral

1. Visit your local Service Canada or provincial employment office
2. Explain that you want to pursue training while on EI
3. Work with an employment counsellor to identify an eligible training program
4. The counsellor will assess your eligibility and, if approved, issue the Section 25 Referral
5. Once referred, you can attend training full-time while continuing to receive EI benefits

LMDA Training Grants

In addition to maintaining your EI benefits, you may also be eligible for non-repayable training grants through your province's Labour Market Development Agreement:

• Grants of up to $28,000 can cover tuition, books, transportation, and a basic living allowance
• The living allowance component (up to approximately $500 per week) can kick in if your EI benefits expire before your training ends
• These grants are administered through provincial employment offices

This combination -- EI benefits plus LMDA training grants -- can make full-time training financially viable for many adult learners who would otherwise not be able to afford it.

Canada Training Credit

The Canada Training Credit (CTC) is a federal tax credit designed to help working Canadians pay for training throughout their careers. While it is not as large as some other programs, it is available to a wide range of workers and accumulates over time.

How It Works

• Most Canadians between the ages of 26 and 65 accumulate $250 per year in their Canada Training Credit balance
• The credit accumulates in your Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) account automatically -- you do not need to apply
• The lifetime maximum is $5,000
• When you take an eligible training course, you can claim the CTC on your tax return to cover 50% of eligible tuition and fees, up to your accumulated balance

Eligibility Requirements

To accumulate the $250 annual credit, you must:

• Be a Canadian resident
• Be between 26 and 65 years old at the end of the year
• Have filed a tax return for the previous year
• Have working income (employment or self-employment) of at least $10,000 in the previous year
• Have total income below approximately $150,000 in the previous year

How to Use It

1. Check your CTC balance on your CRA My Account or Notice of Assessment
2. Enroll in an eligible training program at a designated educational institution
3. Claim the credit on your tax return for the year you paid the tuition
4. You will receive a refund of up to 50% of your eligible tuition, up to your available balance

Practical Example

If you have been accumulating the CTC for 8 years, your balance would be $2,000. If you enroll in a program with $4,000 in tuition, you can claim a credit of $2,000 (50% of $4,000), reducing your tax payable or generating a refund.

The CTC is modest compared to programs like Better Jobs Ontario, but it is widely available and can be combined with other funding sources. Check your balance today -- many Canadians have accumulated credits they do not know about.

OSAP and Provincial Student Aid for Mature Students

Every province in Canada operates a student financial aid program, and none of them have an upper age limit. If you are an adult returning to school, you are eligible for the same loans and grants as any other student.

OSAP for Mature Students (Ontario)

The Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) is fully available to mature students. Key points:

• No upper age limit -- students in their 30s, 40s, and 50s routinely receive OSAP
• If you are 22 or older, or have been out of high school for 4+ years, you are assessed as an independent student -- your parents' income is not considered
• Under current rules, students without a college or university degree whose family income is generally less than $50,000 per year may be eligible for grants covering average tuition costs
• The 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 applications are open for full-time, part-time, and micro-credential programs
• Use the OSAP Aid Estimator at osap.gov.on.ca to see what you qualify for before applying

For a detailed breakdown of OSAP, see our Ontario Student Funding Guide and our guide on OSAP 2026 Changes.

Other Provincial Student Aid Programs

Every other province operates an equivalent program with similar mature-student provisions:

Use the FundMyCourse Funding Calculator to estimate your total student aid package based on your province of residence.

Scholarships and Bursaries for Mature Students

Beyond government programs, many institutions and private organizations offer scholarships and bursaries specifically for mature and adult learners.

Institutional Mature Student Awards

Most Canadian colleges and universities offer awards specifically for mature students. These may be called:

• Mature Student Entrance Awards
• Adult Learner Bursaries
• Returning Student Scholarships
• Lifelong Learning Awards

Check your institution's financial aid office and awards database for opportunities. Many of these awards are under-applied for because mature students do not realize they exist.

Professional Association Scholarships

If you are retraining for a specific profession, check whether the professional association for that field offers scholarships. Many associations in healthcare, IT, trades, and business offer awards for students entering the profession, regardless of age.

Employer-Sponsored Training

Do not overlook your current or former employer as a funding source:

• Many employers offer tuition reimbursement or professional development funds for employees pursuing further education
• Some union collective agreements include education benefits for members
• If you were laid off, check whether your severance package includes any training or education benefits

Search for Mature Student Awards

Use the FundMyCourse scholarship database to search for awards that specifically target mature students, adult learners, or career changers. Filter by your province, field of study, and demographic profile to find the best matches.

Credential Recognition and Prior Learning Assessment

For adult learners who have significant work experience, Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) can reduce the time and cost of completing a credential by granting credit for knowledge and skills you already have.

How PLAR Works

• You submit a portfolio of evidence demonstrating your knowledge and skills in specific subject areas
• The institution assesses your evidence against the learning outcomes of their courses
• If your evidence meets the standard, you receive credit for those courses without having to take them
• This can save you one or more semesters of study and the associated tuition costs

Where PLAR Is Available

PLAR is widely available at Canadian colleges and polytechnics, and increasingly at universities. Some provinces have dedicated PLAR frameworks:

• Ontario: Many Ontario colleges have formal PLAR programs
• British Columbia: BC's credit transfer system supports PLAR across multiple institutions
• Alberta: PLAR is available at most Alberta post-secondary institutions

Cost and ROI

PLAR assessments typically cost a fraction of the tuition you would pay for the equivalent courses. If you have substantial work experience in the field you are studying, PLAR can represent a significant financial saving.

Micro-Credentials and Short-Term Training

If you do not need a full degree or diploma, micro-credentials and short-term training programs offer a faster, more affordable path to upskilling. Many of these are now eligible for government funding.

What Are Micro-Credentials?

Micro-credentials are short, focused programs (typically weeks to a few months) that teach specific skills aligned with employer needs. They are offered by colleges, universities, and industry organizations.

Funding for Micro-Credentials

• Better Jobs Ontario now covers micro-credential programs (a relatively recent expansion)
• OSAP now provides funding for some micro-credential programs in Ontario
• The Canada Training Credit can be applied to eligible micro-credential tuition
• Some employers will fund micro-credentials as professional development

Advantages for Adult Learners

• Shorter time commitment than a full diploma or degree
• More affordable upfront cost
• Directly aligned with employer needs and high-demand skills
• Can be completed while working in many cases

For more on funded training in specific fields, see our guides on IT Certification Funding and Trades Scholarships in Canada.

Tax Benefits for Adult Learners

Beyond direct funding programs, there are several tax benefits that can reduce the cost of education for adult learners.

Tuition Tax Credit

The federal tuition tax credit allows you to claim 15% of eligible tuition fees on your tax return. Provincial tuition tax credits vary by province but provide additional savings.

Canada Training Credit (Covered Above)

The CTC provides an additional refundable credit of up to 50% of eligible tuition, up to your accumulated balance.

Education and Textbook Tax Credits

While the federal education and textbook tax credits were eliminated in 2017, some provinces still offer provincial equivalents. Check your province's tax credits.

Moving Expenses

If you relocate at least 40 kilometres closer to your educational institution, you may be able to deduct your moving expenses from scholarships, bursaries, and other educational income.

Childcare Expenses

If you have children and are attending school full-time, you may be able to claim childcare expenses on your tax return, even if the childcare is needed because you are studying rather than working.

Step-by-Step Funding Strategy for Adult Learners

Here is a practical strategy to maximize your funding as a mature student returning to school:

Step 1: Check Your Eligibility for Retraining Grants (3-6 Months Before School)

If you are unemployed or underemployed, contact your provincial employment office to learn about programs like Better Jobs Ontario or equivalent programs in your province. These grants are non-repayable and can cover most of your costs.

Step 2: Explore EI-Funded Training (If You Have an EI Claim)

If you are on EI or have a recent EI claim, ask about Section 25 Referrals that allow you to study full-time while receiving benefits.

Step 3: Apply for Provincial Student Aid

Apply to OSAP (Ontario) or your province's equivalent student aid program. Remember: there is no age limit, and you will likely be assessed as an independent student.

Step 4: Check Your Canada Training Credit Balance

Log into CRA My Account and check your CTC balance. You may have accumulated credits you did not know about.

Step 5: Search for Mature Student Scholarships

Search the FundMyCourse scholarship database for awards targeting mature students and adult learners.

Step 6: Ask About PLAR

If you have significant work experience, ask your institution about Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition to earn credit for what you already know.

Step 7: Look Into Employer and Union Benefits

Check whether your current or former employer, or your union, offers any education or training benefits.

Key Resources and Links

Final Thoughts

The single biggest barrier for most adult learners is not the cost of education itself -- it is the belief that going back to school is financially impossible. In reality, Canada offers some of the most generous education funding in the world for mature students, including non-repayable retraining grants, the ability to study while on EI, student aid with no age limits, and tax credits specifically designed for working adults.

The key is to explore every program available to you, apply broadly, and combine multiple funding sources. Many adult learners who piece together retraining grants, student aid, and scholarships end up paying very little out of pocket for their education.

Start your search today with the FundMyCourse scholarship database and use our Funding Calculator to build your personalized funding plan.