Scholarships for first-generation students in Canada

For students with financial need whose parents never took post-secondary studies anywhere, in a first-entry undergraduate program at a publicly assisted Ontario college or university. Schools may add rules.

1. Ask your school's financial aid office for its Ontario First Generation Bursary application
2. Confirm neither parent ever enrolled in post-secondary studies
3. Submit the school's form; you don't need to apply for OSAP first

Timing, as the provider states it: Set by your school's financial aid office

For Grade 12 students in British Columbia who are Canadian citizens, permanent residents or protected persons, with at least a 75% average last school year, applying to an eligible post-secondary school.

1. Read the 2027 Program Guidelines on the Beedie Luminaries site
2. Check you had at least 75% last school year and plan to apply to an eligible school
3. Apply online once applications open on November 2, 2026

Timing, as the provider states it: Applications for Cohort 2027 open November 2, 2026 at 1 p.m. PST; read the 2027 Program Guidelines for the closing date

Federal aid for eligible full-time students with financial need. Students from Quebec, Nunavut and the Northwest Territories use their own student-aid programs instead.

1. Apply through the student-aid office for your province or territory of residence, which may differ from where you study
2. Check that your school and full-time program qualify; most private for-profit programs are excluded, with some exceptions
3. Provide the requested family-income and enrolment information; the aid application assesses eligibility automatically

Timing, as the provider states it: Apply through your province or territory for each study period

For full-time students in financial need with a dependant under 12, or over 12 with a permanent disability. Paid on top of the full-time grant.

1. Apply for full-time student aid with your province or territory
2. List your dependants in the application
3. You're assessed for the grant automatically

Timing, as the provider states it: Apply with your province or territory for each study period

For part-time students in financial need in a qualified program at a designated school. Family income must be under the published threshold.

1. Apply for part-time student aid with your province or territory
2. Check your family income against the 2026 thresholds on the official page
3. You're assessed for the grant automatically

Timing, as the provider states it: Apply with your province or territory for each study period

Grants and loans for Ontario residents who are citizens, permanent residents or protected persons. You're considered for both when you apply. From August 2026 more provincial funding comes as loans.

1. Register for an OSAP account and apply for 2026–27
2. Use the OSAP Aid Estimator to see what you might get
3. Send any documents your OSAP account asks for, and decline the loan if you don't want it

Timing, as the provider states it: 2026–2027 applications are open; apply for each study period