Official Guidelines Updated: March 2026
The Ontario Out-of-Country Bursary for Students who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing is non-repayable financial assistance for eligible Ontario students attending a post-secondary school outside Canada. It covers eligible education costs that exceed what OSAP for Full-Time Students provides — including tuition, ancillary fees, books, health insurance, return travel to Ontario, and on- or off-campus living expenses.
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify, you must meet all of the following:
- Have a verified permanent disability or a verified persistent or prolonged disability on your OSAP profile, and have confirmed that you are Deaf, deaf, deafened, or hard of hearing.
- Be enrolled in 40% or more of a full course load at a post-secondary school located outside Canada that is approved for OSAP purposes.
- Be enrolled in an eligible program where the only or principal language of instruction is American Sign Language (ASL) or Langue des signes québécoise (LSQ). Programs at the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) that are delivered in English or French but provide ASL or LSQ interpretation are also eligible.
- Have your eligible educational costs exceed the Canada-Ontario Integrated Student Loan (COISL) maximums for your study period.
- Have submitted a 2025-26 OSAP Application for Full-Time Students, including all required documents, and have met all OSAP eligibility requirements.
Important — Disability Must Be Verified on Your OSAP Profile:
Your disability must be verified on your OSAP profile as either a permanent disability or a persistent or prolonged disability. This is different from submitting a standalone medical document — the verification must be on file with OSAP before your bursary application can be assessed. Contact your school’s financial aid office if you need guidance on completing this step.
What the Bursary Covers
The bursary amount is based on your outstanding eligible educational costs after your OSAP funding is applied. Eligible costs include:
- Tuition fees and compulsory ancillary fees
- Books and study materials
- Out-of-country health insurance (for in-person study)
- On-campus room and board (if living in campus residence) or off-campus living expenses
- One return trip to Ontario by the most economical means available
There is no fixed maximum — the amount is calculated individually based on your costs and OSAP funding. Bursary funds must be used to pay the academic fees owed to your institution first.
How to Apply
Complete the 2025-26 Ontario Out-of-Country Bursary for Students who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing application form. Submit it along with all required supporting documents to the Student Financial Assistance Branch, Ministry of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security, PO Box 4500, 189 Red River Road, 4th Floor, Thunder Bay, Ontario P7B 6G9.
Required documents typically include:
- Proof of out-of-country health insurance costs during your study period (e.g., a written estimate from your insurance company or your school’s health plan), if studying in person
- Proof of on-campus room and board costs from your school, if living in campus residence
- Proof of return travel costs to Ontario by the most economical means available
If disability verification documentation has been provided in a prior academic year, you do not need to resubmit it.
Deadlines
- Application deadline: no later than 60 days before the end of your study period.
- All required supporting documentation: no later than 40 days before the end of your study period.
Important — Two Separate Deadlines:
The application itself is due 60 days before your study period ends. All required supporting documents must reach the ministry no later than 40 days before the end of your study period. Applications or documents received after these deadlines will not be accepted.
How Funding Is Paid
Your bursary entitlement is calculated at the beginning of each term or semester. Each instalment is issued as a cheque in Canadian dollars, mailed to the address on your OSAP profile. Your school must confirm your enrolment before any cheque can be issued. Funding is split into two or three instalments at the start of each semester or term, depending on the length of your program. No funds are released before your study start date.
For questions, contact the Student Financial Assistance Branch: toll-free 1-877-OSAP-411 (1-877-672-7411), Monday to Friday 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time, or by fax at 807-343-7278 (attention: Institution Services Unit, Out-of-Country Bursary for Students who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing).
Other Ontario Student Aid Options
For other provincial funding available to students with disabilities or in special circumstances, explore the Ontario Funding overview including the Bursary for Students with Disabilities and OSAP supports for under-represented learners.
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