Yes. Individuals must work for a minimum of six months (past or present).

NOTE: Individuals whom meet the following criteria are now exempt from the required six months of employment within an eligible agency:

• Individuals whom identify as Francophone
• Individuals whom identify as First Nation, Métis and Inuit communities
• Individuals working at an Ontario EarlyON Child and Family Centre
• Those whom are employed in Special Needs Resourcing (SNR) agencies provide ongoing support to children with special needs attending licensed childcare or EarlyON settings.
• Those whom are taking part in the Skill Advance Ontario Pilot

Yes. The total period of time that you have been employed within eligible agencies in Ontario will be considered toward the six months eligibility period.

No. Financial assistance is available to employees working in an eligible agency.

Director Approval (Otherwise Approved)

Pertains to an individual having permission from the Ministry of Education to work in a licensed Registered ECE position without having their designation. A copy of this letter must also be submitted at the time of application.

Letter of Permission

Pertains to an individual having permission from the Ministry of Education to work in a Registered ECE position without designation in a publicly funded school setting.

Yes, as long as you meet the eligibility criteria. Please review the application checklist for details regarding this process.

The following types of financial assistance are available through this program:

• Education Grants are available to cover tuition fees related to a recognized Early Childhood Education diploma.
• Travel Grants are available to assist Education Grant recipients with daily commute expenses & accommodations incurred to attend classes or to complete the placement component of their program.
• Training allowance is automatically assessed in order to assist education grant recipients with living expenses and other incremental costs incurred while pursuing their Early Childhood Education diploma.

The education grant is based on your tuition fees, minus any other grants or awards; excluding loans.

Yes. Grant recipients will be issued a T4A slip at the end of every calendar year in which they received payment.

You will be mailed an approval package with payment instructions. Review carefully and return to our office by e-mail, mail (post) or fax.

Payments are only deposited once the program administrator receives your signed Grant Assistance Agreement. The Grant Program issues payments on the last day of every month. Documents must therefore be received by our office no later than the 20th of any given month in order for your grant payment to be issued at the end of that same month.

No. Funding is not available once the semester is completed.

Only General Education/ Elective courses under the Apprenticeship Program are eligible for funding under the Early Childhood Educators Qualifications Upgrade program. The cost of Apprenticeship courses are already subsidized by the Ministry of Training Colleges and Universities we cannot provide any further funding for those specific courses.

Yes. This diploma is eligible for financial assistance.

Yes. Funding to cover PLAR fees within the current semester are now eligible for reimbursement under the Qualification Upgrade program.

No. Only the Early Childhood Education diploma program from a recognized community college in Ontario is eligible.

Programs are offered through the following institutes:

• First Nations Technical Institute in partnership with Canadore College
• Oshki-Pimache-O-Win: The WenJack Education Institute in partnership with Canadore College
• Seven Generations Education Institute in partnership with Canadore College
• Kenjgewin Teg in partnership with Canadore College
• Anishinabek Educational Institute in partnership with St. Clair College
• Six Nations Polytechnic in partnership with Niagara College

No. Funding is only offered for programs within Ontario.

If you are unable to pay for your tuition to the college you can select the sponsorship option on the application form and your tuition fees will be paid directly to the college. If you have already paid your tuition or deposit amount to the College you must submit your proof of payment within your application

If there are any changes during the semester in which you are receiving funding, you must inform the grant Program Administrator immediately.

You must be considered a full-time student by your educational institution.

Application forms and all supporting documents are accepted online directly from our website. Note all documents must be submitted as attachments in either PDF or in Jpg. format and must include your first and last name. You cannot manually add your name to a supporting document.