Ontario Learn and Stay Grant

The Government of Ontario is launching a new Ontario Learn and Stay Grant in spring 2023 for postsecondary students who enrol in priority programs in priority communities and commit to work in those communities after they graduate. Eligible students who apply for the Ontario Learn and Stay Grant will receive full, upfront funding for tuition, books and other direct educational costs. In exchange, graduates will commit to live and work in the region where they studied, helping to fill critical labour shortages in underserved communities.

By providing targeted financial incentives to encourage students to learn and work in underserved communities, the new grant will strengthen local workforces in communities that need them most, such as the health care workforce in northern Ontario. Building up health-care capacity in areas where it’s needed the most is an important part of Ontario’s Plan to Stay Open. The government is working to ensure that communities across the province have the medical staff needed to be able to respond to any future shocks to our health-care system. The government continues to take action to build up the province’s health care workforce to ensure patients can continue to access the health care they need when they need it, no matter where they live.

Yes. If you’ve applied to an eligible program, you don’t have to wait for your acceptance letter from Georgian College in order to apply for the Ontario Learn and Stay Grant. You’re encouraged to apply for the Ontario Learn and Stay Grant in the spring, for programs beginning in the 2023-24 academic year. Enrolment will be confirmed prior to issuing funding.

No. As of the current academic years (2023-24 and 2024-25), bridging programs are not included among the approved programs for the Ontario Learn and Stay Grant.

To receive the Ontario Learn and Stay Grant, you need to fulfil a service commitment. This means you’re required to work in the region where you studied for a minimum of six months for every year of study funded by this grant.

For example, if the program of study is four years long, and you received the Ontario Learn and Stay Grant for each year that you studied, you must work in the region for 24 months (two years) after graduation. If you only received the grant for three out of the four years of study, then you’d only be required to work in the region for 18 months (1 ½ years), and so on.

If you don’t fulfil the service commitment, your funding will be converted to a repayable loan, and treated the same as OSAP loans.

You can work in any community within the region where you studied. For example, if you studied in Timmins, you can work in another community in Northern Ontario. However, you won’t be permitted to work in a different region.

All students who are enrolled in one of the select programs – Practical Nursing or Honours Bachelor of Science – Nursing at the Owen Sound Campus– are eligible to receive the grant.

Yes. You’ll continue to be eligible for the Ontario Learn and Stay Grant for all years of your health-care program, regardless of whether the 2024-25 focus (and beyond) changes.

The grant will continue to provide funding to you as you progress through your studies. Building up health care capacity in areas where it’s needed the most is an important part of Ontario’s Plan to Stay Open. The government is working to ensure that communities across the province have the medical staff needed now and, in the future, to ensure that the people of Ontario can access the health care they need when they need it, no matter where they live.

To receive the Ontario Learn and Stay Grant, you’re required fulfil a service commitment. For every year of study funded by this grant, you must work in your field for a minimum of six months in the region you studied

If you fail to fulfil your service commitment, the funding you received will be converted into a loan that must be repaid.

You’ll have a six-month window to secure employment in your field of study and in the region where you studied following graduation.

Similar to OSAP, the deadline to apply for the Ontario Learn and Stay Grant is 60 days before the end of your study period, meaning you can still apply for the grant after you’ve started your eligible program.

Grant funding will be retro-active to the start of your study period each academic year.