Education & Training Funding
Support for School, Training and Your Next Step
There are many ways to build your future.
If you are a current or former youth in the temporary or permanent care of Durham Children’s Aid Society, financial support may be available for education, training, and career development.
DCAF Education & Training Funding
Funding may be available for:
- College or university
- Part-time studies
- Skilled trades and apprenticeships
- Certificate programs
- Short-term courses
- Career and skills training
- Certifications or training required for employment
For full-time studies, funding may be provided up to $500 per semester, to a maximum of $1,000 within a 12-month period.
Courses, certificates, trades, apprenticeships, and other training requests are reviewed individually based on eligible costs and available funding. Before you apply, please read below.
What Will I Need?
We have tried to keep the application simple. You will need some basic information about yourself, your education or training, and the costs you need help with.
You may be asked for:
- Confirmation of your connection to Durham Children’s Aid Society
- Proof that you are enrolled or registered
- Information about the cost of your education or training
- Information about other funding you have applied for or received
There May Be More Funding Available to You
DCAF funding can be one part of paying for your education or training. You may qualify for other grants, bursaries, and scholarships too.
You can apply for more than one source of funding.
OSAP & Living and Learning Grant
If you are going to an eligible college, university, or other post-secondary program, start with OSAP.
OSAP can include grants that generally do not need to be repaid, as well as student loans.
Eligible youth with experience in Extended Society Care may also receive up to $2,000 per semester through Ontario’s Living and Learning Grant. Eligible students are automatically considered when they submit a full-time OSAP application.
Did You Pay to Apply to College or University?
If you are or were in Extended Society Care, you may be eligible to have the cost of applying to an eligible college or university reimbursed.
Children’s Aid Foundation of Canada
The Children’s Aid Foundation of Canada offers scholarships and other education supports specifically for young people with experience in government care.
Its scholarship program currently includes $5,000 scholarships for eligible students. Application periods and eligibility vary, so check the website for current opportunities.
Explore Children’s Aid Foundation of Canada education funding
Clark Bursary Award
The Ontario Association of Children’s Aid Societies offers the Clark Bursary Award for youth in and from care.
For 2026, eligible applicants can receive a one-time $2,000 bursary toward post-secondary education, trades, apprenticeships, training, or certification.
Going to School in Durham Region?
Your college or university may have its own bursaries and awards. Do not assume OSAP is the only funding available through your school.
Durham College
Durham College students can explore bursaries, scholarships, and donor-funded awards through the college’s Financial Aid office.
Explore Durham College funding
Ontario Tech University
Ontario Tech students can explore bursaries and donor-funded awards through Student Awards and Financial Aid.
Trent University Durham GTA
Trent offers specific financial support for eligible students who are or were in Extended Society Care.
Its Bursary for Youth in Care provides eligible students with $3,000 per academic year. Eligible students may also qualify for up to $4,000 annually through Willsy’s Extended Society Care Fund.
Not Going to College or University?
That is okay. DCAF funding is not only for traditional post-secondary education.
If you need a course, certificate, apprenticeship, trade program, skills training, or certification to help you move forward with employment or your career, you can still apply.
Tell us what you want to take, what it costs, and how it will help you reach your next goal.
Ready to Apply?
You do not need to write a formal essay. A few sentences in your own words is enough.
Not sure if you qualify? Contact karen.hudson@durhamcaf.ca
Read the DCAF – Bursary and Educational Funding Policy
Want to Help a Young Person Take Their Next Step?
Would you like to help support a bursary for a youth? Please contact our team to learn more about supporting education and training opportunities for young people.