2012-13 Ontario Bridging Participant Assistance Program


2012-13 Ontario Bridging Participant Assistance Program

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. What is the Ontario Bridging Participant Assistance Program (OBPAP)?

    2. The Ontario Bridging Participant Assistance Program (OBPAP) provides bursaries of up to $5,000 to cover direct education costs (tuition, books and equipment) for students attending non-OSAP approved, current or former Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration (MCI) funded bridge training programs offered by Ontario colleges of applied arts and technology, publicly-assisted universities and the Michener Institute for Applied Health Sciences (Michener Institute).

  2. Who is eligible?

    3. Internationally trained professionals with financial need are eligible to apply for an OBPAP bursary if they are enrolled in MCI approved bridge training programs that are:

    • in-session
    • non-OSAP approved
    • current or formerly MCI funded
    • starting between April 1, 2012 and March 31, 2013.
    • offered at Ontario colleges of applied arts and technology, publicly-assisted universities or the Michener Institute (postsecondary institution).

    Bursary assistance is limited to program tuition, book and equipment costs reported by the postsecondary institution offering the bridge training.

    The OBPAP bursary applicant must be a Canadian citizen, Permanent Resident or Protected Person living in Ontario and not be in default of a student loan, restricted from OSAP eligibility or be in receipt of Second Career funding.

  3. Is OBPAP bursary assistance available to students enrolled in current or former MCI funded preparatory courses/programs that lead to bridge training?

    4. No. OBPAP bursary assistance is only available to eligible students enrolled in current and former MCI funded bridge training programs that lead to employment.

  4. What is the bursary maximum?

    5. The bursary covers up to $5,000 in direct education costs.

    The OBPAP bursary maximum is the lesser of $5,000 or tuition, book and equipment costs reported by the postsecondary institution for the bridge training. The maximum amount available for each bridge training project is outlined in question 20.

  5. How is financial need determined?

    6. OBPAP bursary eligibility is based on student financial need. The postsecondary institution offering the bridge training establishes financial need based on their policies regarding student financial need.

    Students with assessed financial need are eligible to receive an OBPAP bursary to cover eligible educational costs.

  6. What is covered?

    7. The bursary covers bridge training costs (tuition, books and equipment) reported by the postsecondary institution that is offering the program.

  7. How are OBPAP bursary funds issued?

    8. Your postsecondary institution receives funding to provide bursary assistance through OBPAP.

  8. Can I apply for an OBPAP bursary after I have completed an eligible bridge training program?

    9. No. Application for OBPAP bursary assistance must be made before or during the bridge training period.

  9. Does the OBPAP bursary cover day care and transportation costs? Can bursary funds be used to cover prior learning and assessments (e.g., Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR), English proficiency tests, immunizations or criminal reference checks?

    10. No. The OBPAP bursary only covers direct education costs (tuition, books and equipment) that students pay for the bridge training.

  10. Can I receive OBPAP bursary assistance above what I am being charged by the postsecondary institution for my bridge training and/or mandatory books and equipment?

    11. No.

  11. Can the bursary be renewed?

    12. No.

  12. My bridge training program involves a series of courses that span a number of academic years. How can I cover my bridge training costs if I can receive only one OBPAP bursary?

    13. Given that students can only receive one OBPAP bursary and some bridge training programs entail a series of courses that can take more than one year to complete, postsecondary institutions may set aside the bursary maximum for a student to cover his/her 2012-13 and future year education costs.

  13. Can this bursary assistance be combined with other forms of assistance (e.g., bursaries or scholarships) to offset bridge training tuition, books and equipment costs?

    14. Yes. However, in such circumstances, the other forms of financial assistance must first be applied to offset eligible bridge training costs prior to using OBPAP funds to cover any remaining costs.

    For example, if a student with $5,000 in eligible OBPAP bridge training costs were to receive a $3,500 institutional bursary, that bursary would first be applied to cover these costs. The remaining $1,500 in eligible bridge training costs could be covered through OBPAP. The OBPAP bursary cannot be combined with OSAP funding (see questions 18 and 19 for further details).

  14. If I have $8,500 in tuition, book and equipment costs and the maximum amount for my OBPAP bursary is $5,000 and I am also eligible to receive a $3,500 bursary, how much OBPAP bursary assistance can I receive?

    15. In this case you would receive $8,500 in combined bursary assistance. The $3,500 bursary would first be applied to reduce eligible education costs and the balance would be covered up to the OBPAP bursary maximum established for your bridge training program (in this case $5,000). Please see question 20 for a listing of OBPAP bursary maximums by bridge training program.

  15. What happens if I fail a course?

    16. If your bridge training consists of a series of courses, you will have to pay to repeat the course that you failed.

    If your bridge training consists of a single course you will have to pay to repeat the course.

    OBPAP bursary assistance is not renewable.

  16. What happens if I drop a course?

    17. If your bridge training consists of a series of courses you will have to pay to repeat the course that you dropped. If your bridge training consists of a single course you will be considered, for the purposes of OBPAP, as having withdrawn from the program and you will have to pay to repeat the course.

    Students who have their tuition fees covered through OBPAP and subsequently withdraw from their program will be required to return unused tuition fees to the postsecondary institution offering the bridge training.

  17. Can I continue to receive OBPAP bursary assistance if I wish to change bridge-training programs?

    18. No. OBPAP bursary assistance is intended to allow students to access bridge training which will allow them to practice in the profession for which they were trained. As such, OBPAP bursary assistance is not intended to fund retraining in other fields/professions.

  18. I am enrolled in an OSAP-approved bridge training program; can I apply for an OBPAP bursary instead of a student loan?

    19. No.

  19. I had to take out an OSAP student loan to cover my bridge training costs. Why are other students receiving subsidized or no cost bridge training as a result of the OBPAP bursary?

    20. OBPAP bursary assistance is only available to students enrolled in
    non-OSAP approved bridge training programs.

    While OSAP student loans are repayable, student loan recipients derive many benefits that can exceed OBPAP bursary amounts. For instance, students in two-term programs can have annual repayable loan amounts reduced to $7,300 and $10,950 for three-term programs through the Ontario Student Opportunity Grant (OSOG).

    Students with low incomes may also be eligible to receive non-repayable provincial grants to help cover tuition costs and federal grants for living/study expenses.

    OSAP student loans are also interest free while students are in school.

  20. Which MCI bridge training programs will be offering OBPAP bursary assistance in 2012-13 and what are the award maximums?

    21. Students enrolled in the following approved bridge training programs will be eligible to apply for OBPAP bursary assistance in 2012-13. The OBPAP bursary maximum specified for each program reflects direct education costs reported by the postsecondary institution for the program. Each postsecondary institution is responsible for submitting timely and accurate program information to MCI.

Postsecondary
Institution

Name of Program

 

Bursary Maximum (Based
on Reported Direct
Education Costs)

Canadore College

Bridge Training in the Mining Professions and Trades

Education Costs up to $2,400 (up to $2,100 in tuition and up to $300 in books and equipment costs)

Confederation College

Pathways to Health Care Certification for Internationally Trained Individuals

Education Costs up to $5,000 (tuition fees range from $2,500 and $3,500 and between $500 and $1,600 for books)

Fanshawe College

Renewed Bridge to Certification for Internationally Educated Nurses

Education Costs up to $3,310 (up to $1,500 in tuition, up to $1,285 for textbooks and up to $525 for equipment costs)

George Brown College

Enhanced Academic Pathway for Nurses Graduate Certificate

Education Costs up to $5,000 (up to $7,451 in tuition fees, up to $1,800 in textbook and $240 in equipment costs)

Humber College

Engineering Software Skills Enhancement Project

Education Costs up to $100 ($100 in tuition fees)

Humber College

Mobile Systems Integration Bridging Program for Internationally Trained IT Professionals

Education Costs up to $1,250 ($750 in tuition and $500 in textbook costs)

Humber College

Pathways to Employment in the Sustainability and Energy Sector

Education Costs up to $500 ($500 in tuition fees)

Laurentian University

Professions North/Nord

Education Costs up to $5,000 (tuition fees range from $1,917.33 to $10,864.87 and between $1,200 and $6,800 for textbooks)

The Michener Institute for Applied Health Sciences

Medical Laboratory Science (MLS)

Education Costs up to $5,000 (up to $4,000 in tuition and up to $1,000 for course notes and equipment)

The Michener Institute for Applied Health Sciences

Medical Radiological Technology (MRT)

Education Costs up to $5,000 (up to $4,000 in tuition and up to $1,000 for course notes and equipment)

Mohawk College

Bridging for Internationally Educated Nurses (BIEN)

Education Costs up to $5,000 (tuition fees range from $1,500 to $6,300 and between $400 and $1,700 for textbooks and equipment)

Mohawk College

Medical Laboratory Technologists Program

Education Costs up to $5,000 (up to $8,700 in tuition fees and up to $750 for textbooks and supplies)

Ryerson University

Internationally Educated Dietitians Pre-Registration Program (IDPP)

Education Costs up to $5,000 ($6,925 in tuition fees and up to $550 for textbooks)

Ryerson University

Middle Level Manager with Technical Background: Bridge Training Program

Education Costs up to $3,500 ($2,850 in tuition and up to $650 for textbooks and supplies)

Ryerson University

International Midwifery Pre-Registration Program

Education Costs up to $5,000 (tuition fees range from $4,560 to $6,120 and up to $500 for textbooks and supplies)

Ryerson University

Workplace Communications in Canada

Education Costs up to $2,895 (up to $2,845 in tuition fees and $50 for equipment costs)

Ryerson University

International Accounting & Finance Professionals (IAFP) Program

Education Costs up to $5,000 (tuition fees range from $533 to $5,000 and up to $650 for books)

University of Guelph
Alfred Campus

Emplois Spécialisés en Soutien à l'Ontario Rural (ESSOR) - Wastewater Operator

Education Costs up to $3,000 (up to $2,700 in tuition fees and up to $300 for textbooks and course notes)

University of Guelph
Alfred Campus

Emplois Spécialisés en Soutien à l'Ontario Rural (ESSOR) - Agrology

Education Costs up to $2,323 (up to $2,048 in tuition fees and up to $275 for textbooks and course notes)

University of Toronto

Licensing International Engineers into the Profession (LIEP)

Education Costs up to $5,000 (up to $5,900 in tuition fees and up to $1,050 for books/equipment)

University of Toronto

Ontario Internationally Educated Physiotherapists Bridging Program

Education Costs up to $5,000 (tuition fees range from $3,000 to $6,000 and books/equipment from $200 to $500)

University of Toronto

Bridge Training Program for Internationally Trained Lawyers

Education Costs up to $5,000 (tuition fees range from $1,500 to $6,500 and up to $1,050 for books and course materials)

University of Toronto

Bridge Training for Internationally Educated Pharmacy Graduates

Education Costs up to $5,000 (up to $13,000 in tuition fees and up to $600 for books/equipment)

University of Toronto

Certificate in Life Science Enterprise Management

Education Costs up to $2,069 ($1,889 in tuition fees and up to $180 for books/equipment)

University of Waterloo

International Optometric Bridging Program (IOBP)

Education Costs up to $5,000 (up to $8,000 in tuition fees)

York University

Bridging Internationally Educated HR Professionals into Ontario Jobs

Education Costs up to $3,165 (up to $1,565 in tuition fees and up to $1,600 for textbooks)

York University

Bridge Training for Internationally Educated Professionals in Business, Finance, Administration and Information Technology.

Education Costs up to $3,100 (up to $2,100 in tuition fees and up to $1,000 for textbooks)

  1. How do I obtain bursary funding?

    2. Applications for an OBPAP bursary can be made through the Financial Aid Office of your postsecondary institution.

    If you are awarded an OBPAP bursary, the postsecondary institution will take the bursary funding and apply it against tuition, book and equipment costs that you would otherwise have to pay to the postsecondary institution for the bridge training. Any remaining funds will be issued to you (based on receipts submitted) to reimburse you for mandatory program book and equipment costs.

  2. My postsecondary institution is charging me more fees than listed in the table above. Can the institution use its OBPAP funding allocation to increase the OBPAP bursary maximum for my bridge training program to cover these fees?

    3. No. Each postsecondary institution is responsible for submitting timely and accurate program information to MCI. Students in such circumstances should contact the Financial Aid Office of their institution to determine if they are eligible for other forms of financial assistance (e.g., bursaries or grants).

    Alternatively, postsecondary institutions can contribute funds to increase the amount of OBPAP bursary assistance.

  3. I started a bridge training program in April 2012 for which I have paid all the fees. Am I eligible for a OBPAP bursary? If yes, given that I have already paid the program fees will the bursary be directed to me instead of the postsecondary institution?

    4. In-session 2012-13 bridge training programs starting on or after April 1, 2012 are eligible for OBPAP bursary assistance. If you are enrolled in an MCI approved bridge training program and qualify for an OBPAP bursary, the bursary will be directed to you to reimburse you (based on submitted receipts) for the eligible education costs that you paid.

  4. Are Second Career recipients eligible for the bursary?

    5. No.

  5. Are students who have defaulted on their student loans or are restricted from OSAP eligible for OBPAP bursary assistance?

    6. No.

  6. Am I eligible for interest-free status on my student loans while participating in a non-OSAP approved MCI funded or previously funded bridge training program?

    7. Contact your Financial Aid Office or the National Student Loan Service Centre at 1-888-815-4514 to determine which programs may be available to help you keep your student loans in good standing while in bridge training programs.

  7. Does my postsecondary institution provide any information about me to the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities?

    8. OBPAP is partly funded under the Canada-Ontario Labour Market Agreement (LMA). Under the LMA, the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities is required to provide de-personalized reports to Canada about its use of the LMA funds to administer OBPAP. Your postsecondary institution is required to provide de-personalized reports about OBPAP to the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities in order for the Ministry to meet its obligations under the LMA and also for the Ministry to monitor and evaluate the administration of OBPAP.

    In addition, the LMA requires the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities to evaluate the OBPAP by conducting follow-up surveys with students who received OBPAP bursary assistance to determine the effectiveness of OBPAP. At the request of the Ministry, your postsecondary institution is required to provide your up-to-date contact information if the Ministry needs it in order to ask you to participate in such a survey.