The Ontario Indigenous Travel Grant can assist you with the cost of travelling between your remote First Nations community to the postsecondary school you are attending.
If your spouse or dependent children will be living with you while you are in postsecondary studies, their travel costs can also be considered through this grant.
How much can I get
Your travel costs between your remote First Nations community and your postsecondary school will be considered as follows:
If you are single or if your spouse and/or dependent children are not relocating to live with you during your study period:
Air travel: $1,300 per trip for a maximum of four one-way trips (up to $5,200 total) per academic year.
Other travel methods (e.g., train, bus, boat, taxi), excluding private vehicles: $75 each trip for a maximum of four one-way trips (up to $300 total) per academic year.
Travel by private vehicle: $0.41 per kilometer travelled.
If your spouse and/or dependent children are relocating as well to live with you during your study period:
Air travel: $1,300 per trip for a maximum of two one-way trips per person (up to $2,600 total per person) per academic year.
Other travel methods (e.g., train, bus, boat, taxi), excluding private vehicles: $75 each trip for a maximum of two one-way trips per person (up to $150 total per person) per academic year.
Transportation by private vehicle: $0.41 per kilometer travelled.
Who is eligible
To be eligible for this grant, you must meet all of the following requirements:
You have self-identified as being an Indigenous person on your OSAP profile.
You live in a remote First Nations community in Ontario when you are not in full-time postsecondary studies.
You are enrolled in either a public or private postsecondary school located in Ontario or a public postsecondary school located within Canada that is approved for OSAP purposes.
You have applied for OSAP for Full-Time Students, have met all of the eligibility requirements and have a calculated provincial financial need of at least $1.
What qualifies as a remote First Nations community?
For purposes of this grant, communities defined as being Zone 3 or Zone 4 by Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada (CIRNAC) may be considered as a remote First Nations community.
Zone 3 communities are located over 350 km from the nearest service centre.
Zone 4 communities don’t have year-round road access to a service centre.
Other remote and/or fly-in First Nations communities not designated as either Zone 3 or Zone 4 may also qualify. Contact your financial aid office to confirm whether your community’s location meets the eligibility criteria for this grant.
How to apply
The application outlines what supporting documents are required. It also outlines who to contact if you need help in completing your application.
If you’re going to school in 2019-20:
Use the 2019-20 Ontario Indigenous Travel Grant application.
If you’re going to school in 2018-19:
Use the 2018-19 Ontario Indigenous Travel Grant application.
Deadlines
Application deadline
Your application must be received by your financial aid office or the ministry no later than 60 days before the end of your study period.
Proof of travel documents
Your proof of travel must be received by your financial aid office or the ministry no later than 60 days after the end of your study period.
If documentation is not provided and/or the actual travel costs for a trip are less than the approved grant amount, you will have to return all or a portion of the funds issued. Contact your financial aid office for details.
Checking your application status
Contact your financial aid office with any questions that you have on the status of your application.