Official Guidelines Updated: March 2026
The Ontario Indigenous Travel Grant helps First Nations students cover the cost of travelling between their remote First Nations community and the post-secondary school they attend. This grant not only covers your own travel costs but can also include travel for a spouse and dependent children who are relocating to live with you during your studies.
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for the Ontario Indigenous Travel Grant, you must meet all of the following:
- Have self-identified as an Indigenous person on your OSAP profile.
- Live in a remote First Nations community in Canada when you are not in full-time post-secondary studies. For this grant, a remote community is defined using Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada (CIRNAC) zone classifications:
- Zone 3 — located more than 350 km from the nearest service centre
- Zone 4 — does not have year-round road access to a service centre
- Be enrolled at either a public or private post-secondary school in Ontario, or a public post-secondary school outside Ontario that is approved for OSAP purposes.
- Have applied for full-time OSAP, met all eligibility requirements, and have a calculated provincial financial need of at least $1.
How Much Can You Get?
Grant amounts depend on your travel method and whether your spouse and/or dependent children are relocating to live with you during your studies.
Student travelling alone (or family not relocating)
| Travel Method | Per One-Way Trip | Max Trips/Year | Annual Maximum |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air travel | $1,300 | 4 | $5,200 |
| Hotel (overnight layover on cost-effective flight) | Up to $200 | 1 night per trip | In addition to air maximum |
| Train, bus, boat, taxi, or ride-hailing | $75 | 4 | $300 |
| Private vehicle | $0.41 per km | No limit | No set maximum |
Spouse and/or dependent children relocating to live with student
| Travel Method | Per One-Way Trip (per person) | Max Trips/Year (per person) | Annual Maximum (per person) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air travel | $1,300 | 2 | $2,600 |
| Hotel (overnight layover on cost-effective flight) | Up to $200 | 1 night per trip | In addition to air maximum |
| Train, bus, boat, taxi, or ride-hailing | $75 | 2 | $150 |
| Private vehicle | $0.41 per km | No limit | No set maximum |
Taxi, ride-hailing service, and private vehicle costs for dependent children must be claimed by the student or the accompanying spouse — not listed separately for each child.
Pro Tip — Apply Before or After Travel:
You have two options: apply before your trip to receive up-front funding, or apply after your trip for reimbursement. If you apply in advance and travel hasn’t been booked yet, provide a screen capture from an airline or travel website showing expected fares. Note that any travel purchased before funding is approved is at your own risk — reimbursement is not guaranteed.
How to Apply
Complete the Ontario Indigenous Travel Grant application form, available from your school’s financial aid office or the OSAP forms page. Submit it along with required documentation by the applicable deadlines:
- Application deadline — no later than 60 days before the end of your study period.
- Proof of travel documents — no later than 60 days after the end of your study period.
How to submit:
- Online — log in to your OSAP account at ontario.ca/osap and use the “Print or upload documents” option.
- If attending a school in Ontario — send your completed form and documents to your school’s financial aid office.
- If attending a school outside Ontario — send directly to: Student Financial Assistance Branch, Ministry of Colleges and Universities, PO Box 4500, 189 Red River Road, 4th Floor, Thunder Bay, Ontario P7B 6G9.
Important:
If you receive funding in advance and your actual travel costs end up being less than the approved amount — or if you do not provide proof of travel within 60 days after your study period ends — you will be required to return all or part of the funds. Consider booking one-way trips to allow flexibility if your plans change.
Other Ontario Student Aid Options
Wondering what other funding is available for Indigenous students in Ontario? Explore the Ontario Funding overview for information on provincial bursaries, scholarships, and OSAP supports, including the Indigenous Student Bursary and other programs for students in special circumstances.
Ready to find a program? Explore eligible schools today.
