Ontario Bridging Participant Assistance Program

Program Purpose

The Ontario Bridging Participant Assistance Program (OBPAP) provides bursary assistance of up to $5,000 to internationally trained professional immigrants with financial need. OBPAP recipients must be enrolled in non-Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) bridge training which have been programs approved by the Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development (MLTSD) and which have direct education costs offered at Ontario publicly assisted colleges and universities. Approved bridging programs offered by the Michener Institute of Education at UHN (the postsecondary institutions) are also eligible for OBPAP funding.

Bursary Eligibility Requirements

Bursary assistance is restricted to Canadian Citizens, Permanent Residents or Protected Persons living in Ontario, and is intended to cover direct education costs such as tuition, books and equipment.

Applications for OBPAP bursary assistance should be submitted to the financial aid office of the postsecondary institution delivering the bridge training program of the bursary recipient. Financial need is determined by the postsecondary institution’s policies governing student financial need.

Bursary assistance is limited to eligible participants enrolled in MLTSD approved bridging programs between April 1, 2020 and March 31, 2021. OBPAP applications must be received by March 31, 2021 by the financial aid office of the postsecondary institution offering the bridge training to be considered for the bursary.

OBPAP bursary funding will be directed to the postsecondary institution to offset the student’s eligible bridge training costs. Where applicable, students will be reimbursed for book and equipment costs based on submitted receipts. Bursary funds will only be directed to the applicant in order to reimburse previously paid eligible bridge training costs for in-session programs.

Communications

Reports