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OSAP Information for Indigenous Applicants

Even with community funding, scholarships and bursaries, Indigenous applicants may need to apply to the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP).

OSAP is a government program that gives Indigenous applicants loans to help cover the cost of their postsecondary education, and is based on financial need. The loans are interest-free until 6 months after graduation from university.

OSAP offers 2 financial aid programs for Indigenous students.

Indigenous Student Bursary

The Indigenous Student Bursary provides funding for Indigenous students (First Nations, Inuit and Métis).

To be eligible, you must:

  • Attend a publicly assisted college or university in Ontario or an approved Indigenous institute in Ontario.
  • Be enrolled in a postsecondary academic program (e.g., degree and diploma program) or training program (e.g., apprenticeship).
  • Self-identify as an Indigenous person in Canada (First Nation, Inuit or Métis). Meet citizenship and Ontario residency requirements, as outlined on the OSAP Application for Full-Time Students.
  • Demonstrate financial need based on the criteria set out by your postsecondary institution. Some universities may also require you to be enrolled in full-time studies.
  • For more information, contact your university’s financial aid office. You do not need to apply for OSAP to be considered for this bursary.

Some universities may also require you to be enrolled in full-time studies. For more information, contact your university’s financial aid office.

Note: You do not need to apply for OSAP to be considered for this bursary.

Ontario Indigenous Travel Grant

The Ontario Indigenous Travel Grant can help you with the cost of travelling between your remote First Nation community and the university you are attending.

To be eligible, you must:

  • Self-identify as an Indigenous person on your OSAP profile.
  • Live in a remote First Nation community in Canada when you are not in full-time postsecondary studies.
  • Be enrolled in either a public or private university in Ontario.
  • Apply for OSAP as a full-time student, meet all the eligibility requirements and have a calculated provincial financial need of at least $1.

Your university’s financial aid office must receive your application no later than 60 days before the end of your study period.