Mature Student Grants Available in Ontario

January 22, 2025

In Ontario, mature student grants are important funding options for those returning to school. Financial aid, whether provided by the school, government, or a third-party, makes post-secondary more affordable for millions of students every year. This article explores the grants and scholarships available to support mature students in their academic journey, and how an education centre like Pathways can help.

Who Are Mature Students?

Mature students are individuals who choose to pursue higher education later in life. Typically, a mature student:

Left high school at least four years ago
Is at least 21 years old or older upon enrollment
Is returning to school after taking a long break

Unlike traditional students, who often transition directly from high school to college or university, mature students may have significant life experience, including prior work experience.

Mature students across Ontario choose to return to education because they want to advance their career or change careers completely.

However, being a mature student comes with unique challenges. Many have to juggle studies with work, family obligations, and personal commitments. Additionally, it can be difficult to socialize when most students are fresh out of high school.

But the biggest challenge mature students face when returning to school is finding financial aid. Students coming out of high school tend to be prioritized, making financial aid harder to access for mature students.

We want to make the search easier, so we've researched and compiled every mature student grant and financial aid option we could find in Ontario.

What If My Grades Don’t Qualify for Mature Student Grants in Ontario?

If you are having trouble qualifying for mature student grants due to your grades, look no further than Pathways.

At Pathways, our goal is to help you find an education pathway that fulfills you personally and academically. Whatever goal you're pursuing, we're here to make it happen.

If your grades are keeping you from meeting your academic goals and accessing the financial aid you need, we offer:

Ministry-inspected online high school courses to get required credits and improve your grade point average.
Academic upgrading for students 18+, targeting basic reading, writing, math, science, and computer skills.
Professional upskilling

We can help you meet the academic requirements to qualify for:

More competitive post-secondary programs
More scholarships, bursaries, and grants to reduce your out-of-pocket post-secondary costs.

Let us Help You Make a Plan

Mature Student Grants

Here are a list of mature student grants offered by the government and specific post-secondary schools.

Government Grants For Mature Students

The following are grants supplied by the Canadian government that supports students of varying ages. Grants do not have to be repaid, making them a valuable source of funding for students across Canada.

OSAP Grants

Loan/Grant Amount: Maximum $525-$865 per week

To qualify, you must:

Be an Ontario resident of any age
Be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or protected person
Meet OSAP’s academic progress requirements
Demonstrate financial need
Report income that aligns with what you have filed with the CRA
Be in good standing on any previous student loans
Be within OSAP’s lifetime funding limits

The Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) offers financial aid that is part loan, part grant for students of all ages, including mature students. Usually, the amount you receive is automatically applied to your tuition every semester. If OSAP pays off your tuition completely, any excess funds will appear in your bank account.

The loan you will need to pay back after completing your studies, but the grant does not have to be repaid. If you prefer, you do have the option to accept only the grant and not the loan.

Canada Student Grant for Full-Time Students

Grant Amount: $525 per month of study, up to $4,200 per year

To qualify, you must:

Demonstrate financial need
Be enrolled full-time in an approved program at a recognized institution
Have a combined household income that falls below the income limits (The limit is 60k-150k depending on the size of your household, more about the income limits here.)

Apply for Canada Student Grant for Full-Time Students

The government doesn’t solely offer grants to full-time students. There are also individual grants available for part-time students, students with dependents, and students with disabilities. Be sure to apply for the grant that best suits your situation. Other grants can be found in the links below:

Ontario Learn and Stay Grant (OLSG)

Grant Amount: Depends, no set amount.

To qualify, you must:

Be accepted into and enrolled in the first, second, or third year of an approved program
Be an Ontario resident
Be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or protected person
Agree to work in the same region where you studied after graduation
Not be receiving funding the BEGIN Initiative (Bridging Educational Grant in Nursing), Better Jobs Ontario, or the Skills Development Fund

The Ontario Learn and Stay Grant is designed for learners, including mature students, who are training for in-demand careers in regions facing a labour shortage. The grant supports studies in priority programs offered in Northern, Southwestern, and Eastern Ontario and requires graduates to work in the same region after completing their program.

Ontario Special Bursary Program (OSBP)

A student bursary is a form of financial assistance awarded to students to help cover their education-related expenses, such as tuition fees, books, and living costs. Bursaries are typically based on financial need, although some may also consider academic merit or other criteria.

The Ontario Special Bursary Program is offered to students who attend college or university part-time because they are unable to attend full-time or cannot afford it. The bursary is open to students of all ages and does not have to be repaid if the student completes all the courses they are registered for.

Ask your college or university about applying for the Ontario Special Bursary Program.

First Generation Bursary

Grant Amount: $1,000-$3,500

To qualify, you must:

Be studying at an Ontario publicly funded college or university
Come from a family where neither parent has ever attended postsecondary education, anywhere in the world, on a full-time or part-time basis
Be registered in your first undergraduate program (professional second-entry programs and graduate studies are excluded)
Not already possess a postsecondary credential such as a degree, diploma, or certificate
Not be receiving financial support through the Second Career program
Satisfy the citizenship and Ontario residency criteria set out in the OSAP Full-Time Student Application
Demonstrate financial need

The First Generation Bursary provides financial assistance to students of any age who are the first in their family to pursue post-secondary education. You can apply for this bursary if your parents did not attend post-secondary school.

Ask your college or university about applying for the First Generation Bursary.

School Grants for Mature Students

Durham College offers their own mature student grant, which can reward students up to $1000 toward their tuition.
Many post-secondary schools in Ontario offer entrance scholarships for students returning to school after a break. Ask your post-secondary school about what's available.

Scholarships For Mature Students

While the majority of financial aid offered by the government is broad, many private financial aid programs can provide coverage for mature students. Every year, thousands of Canadian corporations offer scholarships for post-secondary students.

A scholarship is a financial award given to students to help cover the costs of their education, such as tuition, fees, books, and sometimes even living expenses. Scholarships are awarded based on various criteria, which includes:

Academic achievement
Athletic talent
Extracurricular involvement
Specific circumstances such as financial need or demographic background

Browse Applicable Mature Student Scholarships:

Student Grant Application Tips for Mature Students in Ontario

Submit your applications early. Since funding is limited, it's important to apply as early as possible to secure whatever funding you're eligible for.
Be accurate and consistent with your information. Don't rush through your applications, especially when providing financial info. If there's a difference between your application and tax records, you may be wrongly labelled as ineligible.
Include all required documents. Missing paperwork is one of the most common reasons applications are delayed. Another reason to take your time and not rush when applying.
Explain your financial situation clearly. The people who review your application want to understand why you need the funding. If you have dependents or other financial responsibilities, explaining that in the application can increase the chances of getting the funding you need.
Talk to your school’s financial aid office. Financial aid advisors work with mature students every day. They can confirm which grants you qualify for, help review your application, and flag funding opportunities you may not know about.
Apply for OSAP even if you’re unsure. Some grants are automatically assessed through your OSAP application. Even if you think you may not qualify for loans, applying can unlock available grant funding.

The support available through government grants, school grants, and scholarships can help mature students achieve their academic and career goals. By understanding the resources available, mature students can take confident steps toward a successful return to learning and personal development.

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