Download PDF Download PDF - Education Resource for Young People

This resource will assist children's aid society (society) workers and young people in identifying and navigating education related supports as part of the Education, Training and Employment Indicator review process.

This resource contains information on a range of education related resources, services, and programs for young people, including those offered by federal and provincial governments, that can help them to achieve their educational goals.

Important Note: The planning process for leaving care occurs on a continuum - it is ongoing and can change over time. As such, not all resources included in this addendum will be applicable at each required review of the Education, Training and Employment Indicator. Use of this addendum should focus on resources that are most applicable to a young person's plan at each required review. When reviewing with the young person, the society worker should work with the young person to identify resources that are aligned with the young person's individual journey and responsive to their plans, objectives, and goals.

When using this addendum, consideration should be given so that:

  • the views and perspectives of the young person are central
  • planning is comprehensive and tailored to the young person's individual needs
  • planning is flexible and responsive to changing circumstances
  • planning is responsive to the young person's self-identified identity characteristics
  • planning for First Nations, Inuit and Métis young persons recognizes their cultures, heritages, traditions, connection to their communities, and the concept of the extended family.

Local service providers and programs

Identifying local service providers and program

In this section children's aid societies should identify local education-related programs and services that are located near where the young person lives and that are reflective of the young person's unique interests, needs and circumstances. Society workers should work with their society's Education Liaison to confirm what culturally appropriate supports are available to young people in their local community.

Society workers should fill in information, including hyperlinks whenever possible, under each applicable heading to provide further details on programs and services and answer any questions from the young person.

Under the Local Current and Future Financial Assistance section, Society workers should include a list of post-secondary institutions in their local area, as well as in other areas in Ontario where a young person s potentially interested in attending post secondary school, that offer free or reduced tuition for youth leaving care. Society workers are encouraged to consult with their society's Education Liaison for further information on schools that offer these tuition waivers and form information on any other educational resources available to youth in their local area.

Professionals working in and with schools can provide support to young people in understanding and navigating the education system, as well as with achieving their personal and educational goals.

Professionals include Education Liaisons, guidance counsellors or other in-school mental health professionals, and other professional support persons, such as tutors, mentors, or the student success team at a student's school and should be added below:

  • Name and Contact Information of Society's Education Liaison Worker
  • Name and Contact Information of Student's Guidance Counsellor
  • Names and Role of Other Professional Support Persons for Student

Local Current and Future Financial Assistance is funding young people can access within their local communities to support their educational goals, including bursaries and scholarships from their municipality, local community organization, or directly from a post-secondary institution, as well as funding available from a student's Band and/or First Nation, Inuit and Métis communities and should be listed below.

For example, a society worker in Ottawa may identify the following service providers, programs and resources to assist the young person in accessing post-secondary education:

Local community organizations
  • Education Foundation of Ottawa – administers awards and bursaries on behalf of families and individuals through their Active Living and Opportunity fund.
  • Dare to Dream Bursary – helps with tuition costs for current and former youth in care of the Children's Aid Society of Ottawa.
  • Ottawa Community Foundation – administers the Black Canadian Scholarship Fund which provides annual scholarships to outstanding, young, black students in Ottawa.
Resources specific to local post-secondary institutions
  • Financial Aid – list of links to financial aid offices for University of Ottawa, Carleton University, Algonquin College, La Cité Collegial
  • List of local post-secondary institutions that offer free or reduced tuition, e.g., Carleton University and University of Ottawa
  • Ontario Education Championship Team – helps young people to receive the necessary support to graduate from high school and be supported to pursue their post-secondary education and training pathways.

Programs and activities to support personal interests and hobbies, explore educational pathways and celebrate student achievement include extra-curricular activities, information sessions or tours that allow students to learn about educational and employment pathways and post-secondary institutions, and programs and services that support students to celebrate educational achievements and milestones (e.g., proms or graduations). When planning activities, societies should consider whether Ontario Child Benefit Equivalent (OCBE) funding is available to be used.

Please list programs and activities specific to the young person below.

For example, a society worker working with a young person in Windsor who is in their final year of high school and planning to attend university could list the following:

Provincial service providers and programs

This section provides an overview of education-related programs and resources for young people offered by the provincial and federal government, some of which are specifically designed for youth in and leaving care. Society workers are encouraged to consult with their society's Education Liaison for further information on educational resources available to youth.

Supports to complete secondary school

Financial Supports can help young people in or from care tailor their secondary education experience to their individual needs:

  • The Ontario Child Benefit Equivalent is a funding program that supports a young person in care's participation in recreational, social, cultural and educational activities, such as one-to-one tutoring, mentorship, school trips, registration fees for extra-curricular activities, and tools or supplies necessary for vocational training.
  • Transportation and Stability Supports allow students in care to temporarily remain in their home school when they experience a residence change during the school year, to participate in learning activities, and to have access to supports that enable a positive and stable connection to education (e.g., tutoring, technology, and cultural supports). Applications for this program are facilitated by Education Liaisons.
  • Stay Home for School is a funding program that allows students ages 18-21 who need some additional time to complete high school to remain living with their caregivers (e.g., foster parents) while they complete their secondary education.
  • Skilled Trades Bursary supports students who have financial and other barriers to complete secondary school and to increase knowledge of and exposure to post-secondary skilled trades pathways.
  • Learn and Work Bursary supports students who have financial and other barriers to stay in and complete secondary school, and graduate with an increased awareness of post-secondary education pathways. Speak to your Education Liaison to learn more.

Professionals working in and with the education system can provide advocacy support, assist with system navigation, and other challenges a student involved in the child welfare system is experiencing while completing their secondary school education:

  • Education Liaisons help to identify, coordinate, and strengthen educational supports and community resources and work to resolve issues that may be impacting a student's educational success. Every society in the province has an Education Liaison.
    • Education Liaisons can also support the creation and implementation of a Joint Protocol for Student Achievement (JPSA), a local agreement between school boards and societies that supports the academic success and well-being of students.
  • Ontario Education Championship Teams are community-based partnerships among local school boards, societies, post-secondary institutions and Employment Ontario service providers to support youth in and leaving care to complete secondary school and transition to post-secondary education, training or employment.
  • Student Success Teams are available at each school and provide extra attention and support for individual students who are looking for new challenges in high school or who are facing barriers to success.
  • Big Steps to Success is a mentorship program that connects children and youth in care aged 7-14 with positive adult mentors who can help them benefit from having a caring and consistent relationship with a trusted adult and help them with their academic goals.

Education and training exploration

Education and training exploration and planning help young people to identify their areas of interest and explore various pathways available, including online programs to achieve their educational goals.

  • Explore Ontario's labour market allows young people to complete a career quiz to identify their strengths and potential career options.
  • Skilled Trades Ontario gives young people key information about skilled trades, including profiles, the apprenticeship process, and how to find a job.
  • Ontario Colleges has a programs page where users can search college programs by category or by college.
  • The Private Career College Search Service enables users to search for private career colleges by name, location, and programs offered.
  • Ontario Universities’ Info is a guide that provides information about university programs, admission requirements and upcoming events at universities.
  • Indigenous Institutes are Indigenous governed and operated institutions that provide opportunities for students to complete post-secondary education credentials in a personalized and culturally responsive learning environment.
  • Choices is a 5-day free online, guided program that allows participants 19 years of age or older to learn about themselves and set goals for the future, including exploring educational and employment pathways and learning about supports available to help with post-secondary education.
  • OntarioLearn is a searchable consortium of 24 Ontario colleges and 2 Indigenous Institutes devoted to the development and delivery of high-quality, accessible, student-centred online courses and programs.
  • eCampusOntario provides young people with access to online courses, programs and an open library for access to textbooks and resources for colleges, universities, and Indigenous Institutes.
  • ContactNorth is a free, local bilingual service to help residents in 1500 + rural and remote Ontario communities access online programs and courses from colleges, universities and training providers without having to leave their communities.

Education and training pathways

Job skills and alternative programs in secondary schools allow students to focus their education in areas that match their, interests, abilities, and personal circumstances, while providing them with the hands-on-training, experiences, and supports they need to succeed:

  • Specialist High Skills Majors program allows young people in Grades 11 and 12 to focus on a career path that matches their skills and interests while earning their Ontario Secondary School Diploma.
  • Dual credit programs allow young people in secondary school to take college or apprenticeship courses that count towards their Ontario Secondary School Diploma and a post-secondary certificate, diploma, degree or a Certificate of Apprenticeship.
  • Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP) allows young people to begin their apprenticeship training while still in secondary school starting the summer after Grade 10. Through a cooperative education program, students can earn credits towards their Ontario Secondary School Diploma while gaining work experience and training to become certified in a skilled trade.
  • Cooperative (co-op) Education allows high school students to earn credits while completing a work placement in the community along with classroom learning or online learning activities.
  • Alternative Schools or educational programs vary by region and provide young people with accessible educational programs or curriculums to best meet their individual needs and to help them succeed, including alternative schools for youth experiencing homelessness and culturally based curriculums, such as schooling for Indigenous learners through Ontario Federation of Indigenous Friendship Centres.
  • Adult Learning enables individuals 19 years of age or older who want to earn high school credits towards their Ontario Secondary School Diploma or need prerequisite credits to enter postsecondary education or apprenticeship training.

Culturally appropriate and accessible programs are available to help diverse young people successfully participate in and transition from secondary education:

  • Indigenous Education in Ontario provides an overview of educational supports available for First Nation, Metis, and Inuit students, including Indigenous Graduation Coaches to help students to obtain an Ontario Secondary School Diploma and to successfully transition from First Nation/federally operated schools into the provincially funded education system and/or post-secondary education, training or labour market opportunities.
  • Graduation Coach Program for Black Students provides Black students with graduation coaches who have lived experiences and connections to Ontario's diverse Black communities to provide intensive and culturally responsive support and mentorship, while also providing advice to school boards and school leadership to inform system change and create inclusive spaces that are helping to dismantle systemic barriers, eliminate disparities, and close the achievement gap for Black students. Information about this program can be found by speaking with your school guidance counsellor or principal.
  • Summer Learning for Students with Special Education Needs Program provides supports to students with special education needs as they transition into a new school year and to help them participate in summer program offerings in both credit and non-credit granting programs. Speak to your Education Liaison for more information.
  • Focus on Youth Program provides learning and employment opportunities for youth in specific low-income neighbourhoods who face challenges that impact their learning and full participation in school, and barriers to employment due to systemic inequities and socioeconomic disadvantages.
  • Gender and Sexuality Alliances (GSA) are student-initiated and run clubs within schools across Ontario that provide a safe and supportive environment for students of diverse gender and sexualities to find support and to foster community to support improved well-being and educational outcomes.

Current and future financial assistance

Indigenous young people may also be able to access funding for post-secondary education through a variety of sources, including:

  • Métis student bursary program provides funding to eligible Métis young people enrolled in post-secondary education. It can be applied for through a college or university's financial aid office, Indigenous student liaison centre or student support services.
  • Indigenous Student Bursary provides funding to self-identified Indigenous young people with financial need who are attending a publicly assisted college, university or indigenous Institute in Ontario. It is distributed by each institution's financial aid office or Registrar.
  • Indigenous Bursaries Search Tool is a searchable list of 524 bursaries, scholarships and incentives that are available to Indigenous young people pursuing post-secondary education across Canada.
  • Indspire is an Indigenous charity that provides scholarships, bursaries and awards to Indigenous young people pursuing post-secondary education.
  • Post-Secondary Student Support Program provides funding to status First Nations post-secondary students who maintain satisfactory academic standing within an eligible post-secondary institution.
  • Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO) Post-Secondary Education Support Program provides funding to Métis post-secondary students who maintain satisfactory academic standing within an eligible post-secondary institution.
  • University and College Entrance Preparation Program (UCEPP) aims to enable First Nations students to attain the academic level required for entrance into degree and diploma credit programs, as prioritized and directed by First Nations.

Financial assistance programs can help young people with the costs of post-secondary education:

  • Registered Education Savings Plans are set up by societies for eligible children and youth in their care, customary care or in a Voluntary Youth Services Agreement (VYSA) to provide additional funding to help pay for post-secondary educational costs. A young person’s society worker must advise them that they are the beneficiary of a RESP held by the society and provide information regarding the circumstances under which the RESP may be redeemed.
  • Ready, Set, Go (RSG) is a program that provides continued care and support to youth leaving care. Youth participating in a post-secondary education or training program may also receive an additional $500 per month from ages 20-22, in addition to their monthly financial support payments.
  • Living and Learning Grant provides additional funds above the regular full-time OSAP aid limits to eligible young people who were in extended society care, and other youth 21 to 24 years old who left the care of a society. This includes youth who are 18-24 years old when they start post-secondary education, were in extended society care, and were adopted on or after August 1, 2013.
  • Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) provides financial assistance to students in post-secondary studies who qualify. It includes grant, loan, bursary, scholarship and other aid programs.
    • For youth leaving care, the funding that they may receive through RSG does not reduce the amount of OSAP funding they are eligible to receive. In addition, students with status with a society (e.g., youth who are or were in care) do not have a required student contribution in the OSAP application process, which may help them access more financial aid through OSAP.
    • Students who identify as Indigenous when they apply for OSAP and provide acceptable documentation to confirm their Indigenous identity are exempt from the student fixed contribution of $3,600. This can result in additional grant and loan funding for Indigenous students.
  • Ontario Post-Secondary Application Fee Reimbursement Program enables young people who were formerly in extended society care to be reimbursed for money spent on applying to get into OSAP approved post-secondary programs.
  • Ontario First Generation Bursary is for post-secondary students with financial need attending a publicly-assisted college or university in Ontario only, whose parents have never attended post-secondary studies.
  • Ontario Learn and Stay Grant provides up-front funding support for post-secondary students who enroll in the first year of an eligible nursing, paramedic or medical laboratory technologist/medical laboratory sciences program in a priority community and continue to work in that community for a term of service after they graduate.
  • Police Constables Tuition Fees have been removed for young people wishing to complete Basic Constable Training program at the Ontario Police College.

Resources for financial assistance include additional financial supports students can access or compete for, such as assistance available through external organizations and financial office personnel at post-secondary institutions:

  • Financial Aid Offices can help answer questions students have about their OSAP funding, as well as provide information on other supports and scholarships that may be available at the student's particular post-secondary institution.
  • Student Awards is a searchable database that helps young people to sort through scholarship opportunities by province, school, value, and more.
  • Scholarships Canada is a website that matches young people to scholarships based on their profile and allows them to apply for these scholarships.
  • Children's Aid Foundation of Canada awards scholarships to youth leaving extended society care to attend a post-secondary institution, between ages 18-30, once a year through a competitive process. Bursary awards are also available throughout the school year to full-and part-time post-secondary students.
  • The Ontario Association of Children's Aid Societies (OACAS) administers the Clark Bursary Award to help youth in and from care to achieve their academic and career goals.
  • Corsage Project provides scholarships to help students pursue post-secondary school and provides access to no-cost formal wear to attend prom.
  • Child Welfare Political Action Committee Canada provides young people a list and interactive map of post-secondary institutions across Canada that offer free or reduced tuition to eligible youth from care.

List of Ontario post-secondary institutions that offer tuition waivers for youth in and leaving care

The following post-secondary institutions currently provide tuition waivers for youth in or leaving care. Links to information about each institution's waiver programs hve been included where possible. In cases where no link is available, contact information for the institution's financial aid office has been provided and yoth and/or society workers should reach out to the office directly for further details.

Youth and/or society workers should contact their Education Liaison for help in obtaining more information about specific tuition waiver programs, if needed.

Important note

This document is a resource only, references to resource and reference materials, Internet sites and organizations are included for information only. The Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services (MCCSS) is not responsible for the quality of the content on non-ministry Internet sites or for ensuring that the content of the material on non-ministry Internet sites listed is up to date. Information in this resource is current as of publication in November 2023. Please refer to the links provided for inquiries about the most up-to-date information.