Financial Literacy: Lessons for Life - OSAP

Need help paying for your education after high school?

If you are a resident of Ontario you can apply for government funding through the Ontario School Assistance Program (also known as OSAP). OSAP is designed to help eligible students of all ages with the financial assistance they need to meet the costs of post-secondary education, be it at college or university, or in an apprenticeship program. OSAP offers two kinds of funding: grant monies and student loans. If you apply for OSAP, you are automatically considered for 30% off tuition too. 

OSAP is a great resource but it can be confusing to make sense of all the eligibility requirements, understand how to receive your funding, and figure out how you're going to pay it back.

If you'd like to learn more about OSAP, come to Albert Campbell on Wednesday February 20, 2013, at 5:00 p.m. for Financial Literacy: Lessons for Life - OSAP, part of the library's Money Matters series. An expert from JVS Toronto will provide you with the information you need to know about managing an OSAP loan and finding your way through all the rules and regulations.

Interested in learning more about the different options for financing your post-secondary school education in Canada? Check out the selected books and websites linked below.

But first, a few useful terms:

• Loan: money that is borrowed and that must be paid back, usually with interest (that's more money).
• Scholarship: money that is received to finance a student's education, does not have to be paid back, and is usually awarded based on academic achievement.
• Bursary or grant: money that is received to finance a student's education, does not have to be paid back, and is usually awarded based on financial need.

Books (click on the book cover to see which library branch has that book):

              

E-book (click on the image to access this book from anywhere with your library card and PIN):

 

Websites:

• Scholarships Canada: a searchable database of scholarships and student awards, as well as bursaries and grants. Free to use but registration is required.
• Student Awards: another searchable database of scholarships and other financial awards. Matches student profiles with suitable awards.
• CanLearn: a federal government portal with extensive information about education savings plans, student loans, grants, scholarships, etc.
• Service Canada: a federal government site with links to information on education and training plans for students, including the Skills Link Program, the Apprenticeship Incentive Grant and the Lifelong Learning Plan.
• For more recommended websites on scholarships, grants, and financial aid for education, click here.