Ontario First Generation Bursary

What you will need

• ✓ Completed Ontario First Generation Bursary application from your specific school
• ✓ Proof of financial need as defined by your school
• ✓ Verification that parents have not attended postsecondary studies
• ✓ Confirmation of enrollment in a first-entry undergraduate program
• ✓ Proof of citizenship and Ontario residency as per OSAP (Ontario Student Assistance Program — the provincial financial aid system) requirements

About this award

You can receive between $1,000 and $3,500. As a bursary, this money is yours to keep — there is nothing to repay. The exact amount depends on your school, so you should contact your school's financial aid office to confirm the value for your specific award before you apply. This is for you if you are the first in your family to attend post-secondary education and have demonstrated financial need. No deadline is posted publicly — before you start the application, check with your school's financial aid office to confirm when applications open and close this year. You should also ask them how and when you will hear back about your status. Selection criteria aren't published — ask your school's financial aid office how winners are chosen and roughly how many applicants they typically receive so you can judge your odds. Ask your school's financial aid office how the money will reach you — some awards pay students directly by cheque, while others reduce your outstanding tuition fees. Confirm this so you can plan your cash flow. Renewal conditions aren't listed — if you're counting on this for multiple years, confirm with your school's financial aid office whether it's one-time or renewable and what you need to maintain.

Who qualifies

To qualify, you must be attending a publicly-assisted college or university in Ontario only. Your parents must have never participated in postsecondary studies anywhere in the world on either a full or part-time basis. You must be enrolled in a first-entry undergraduate program; please note that graduate programs and second-entry programs (such as law or medicine) are not eligible. You cannot already hold a postsecondary degree, diploma, or certificate. Additionally, you must not be receiving assistance through the Second Career (a provincial retraining program for displaced workers) program. You must also meet the citizenship and Ontario residency requirements listed in the OSAP (Ontario Student Assistance Program — the provincial financial aid system) Application for Full-Time Students and meet the financial need criteria defined by your school. Be aware that your school may have extra rules, such as requiring you to be in full-time studies.

This is what the award's official page said when we last checked. Rules change, so confirm on the award's official page before you apply.

• ✓ Open to undergraduate students
• ✓ Resident of Ontario

How to apply

1. 1

   Read the award's official page

   Check you meet every requirement, and note each document they ask for.

2. 2

   Check this year's deadline

   We don't have a confirmed date for this round. The award's official page will have it.

Tips for applying

• Financial NeedAvoid providing vague descriptions of your situation. Instead, gather the specific income documents your school's financial aid office requires to prove your need. Ask your advisor exactly which forms they prioritize.
• SupportAvoid assuming your OSAP (Ontario Student Assistance Program — the provincial financial aid system) application automatically enters you for this fund. Instead, remember that you must submit a separate application to your school to be considered. Double-check your school's portal for the specific bursary form.
• StrategyAvoid waiting until the end of the term to inquire about deadlines. Instead, email your financial aid office now to ask for the specific date this bursary closes. Set a calendar reminder for one week before that date.
• RealismAvoid treating this as a guaranteed amount. Instead, recognize that the final value is decided by your school and varies based on their available budget. Plan your budget using the minimum $1,000 figure rather than the maximum.

Questions students ask

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