Applying for Post-Secondary

Finishing high school presents challenges unique to youth in care.

However, a high school diploma or equivalent is usually necessary when moving forward with any sort of postsecondary education. Here are a few creative ways some students choose to complete all of the credits necessary to graduate high school:

  • Co-Ops not only allow you to work and make some money while you learn, but they can also count as credits toward your diploma

  • Dual credit programs give high school students the opportunity to take college or apprenticeship courses that count towards their Ontario Secondary School Diploma. SWAC (School Within a College) is a dual credit program in Simcoe County that is available on a Georgian College campus (Barrie, Midland, South Georgian Bay). Click Here to learn more about SWAC

  • Adult Learning Centres are spaces made for anyone of all ages and abilities to complete their personal academic and learning goals

  • PLAR (Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition) is an assessment that allows you to demonstrate the skills and background you may already have in order to put them towards credits to graduate. Click Here to learn more about PLAR

  • Night Classes offered through some high schools and learning centers allow you build your academic schedule around your work schedule

Choosing your Career

Choosing your career path will help you work backwards in figuring out what you need to get there from your post-secondary journey. If you are unsure of exactly what you need to do, here are some resources that may help:

Application Deadlines in Ontario:

Applying to Post-Secondary

Ontario Universities: January 12th

Ontario Colleges: February 1st

What you will need to apply:

  • Highschool Transcripts (your high school sends in these)

  • Diploma (if you have graduated)

  • Make sure to check your required courses. Certain post-secondary programs have mandatory grade 12 level courses that you need to have taken in high school.

Funding

From OECT

Post-secondary education is expensive, even before you are accepted. OECT offers financial assistance for youth and students in need.

  • Funding for college and university applications (95$ for up to 5 colleges, 150$ for up to 3 universities) 

  • College bursary of 1000.00$ per year (500$ a semester)

  • University bursary 1500.00$ per year (750$ a semester)

For more information on all of the funding that may be available to you, reach out to your worker or reach out to the OECT Simcoe County Team:

From OSAP

We always encourage students to apply for OSAP, even when they aren’t interested in getting a loan. Most youth in care are eligible for something called a “living and learning grant”. There are even some schools that have their own grants and programs available for youth to cover any tuition leftover after OSAP. For access to this, and to more information related to OSAP, you can contact your worker or contact us.

For more information on Bursaries and Scholarships, click here:

Youth Quest

The Youth Quest Program, funded by the government of Canada, provides 6 weeks of pre-employment training (paid an allowance equal to minimum wage), followed by 14 weeks of paid work experience (Wage set by employer).

During the six-week pre-employment training, we provide individual and group-based support including workshops to help build participants’ employability skills, job maintenance, and life skills to help them overcome the barriers that may be preventing them from getting jobs.

We then connect participants with paid job opportunities and an additional 14 weeks of tailored support are provided to both participants and their employers to promote long-term success.

This program is eligible to:

  • Youth aged 15-30

  • Either unemployed or under-employed

  • Looking for full-time employment

  • Legally entitled to work in Canada

Other supports available through Youth Quest:

  • Transportation

  • Child care

  • Professional mental health support

  • Access to virtual learning

  • Allowance (equivalent to minimum wage during the 6-week training portion)

  • Work-related material and supplies

  • Completion bonus

  • Employment and academic advice Interview preparation

  • Networking

  • On-the-job support for participants and employers

Youth in Transition

The Youth in Transition program (YIT) is a provincially funded service to help youth who have been or currently are in care. The goal of the program is to support youth as they transition into adulthood. The program can help youth find housing, employment, educational programs, financial aid, physical and mental healthcare, legal services, and human trafficking support.

Support

YIT workers meet with you to develop a personal support plan and identify your goals. Your YIT worker will meet with you regularly to support you in:

  • Connecting you to existing community resources

  • Helping you access community and government funding

  • Mentoring sessions (cooking, budgeting, resume building, interview skills, etc..)

  • Accompanying you to appointments (doctor/ specialist appointments, school tours, apartment viewings, etc..)

This program is eligible to:

  • Youth who are between the ages of 16-24

  • Have an order of Child in Extended Society Care, Legal Custody Order or Formal Customary Care Agreement before their 18th birthday or

  • Have entered into a Voluntary Youth Services Agreement with the Children’s Aid Society between the ages of 16 and 17.