An independent registry of Northern Ontario funding Data updated Aug 17, 2026 · CC-BY-4.0
Northern Ontario Grants
Next intake not announced

Ontario Distance Grants (OSAP)

by Ontario Ministry of Colleges and Universities (OSAP)

Also known as: OSAP Distance Grant · Ontario Distance Grant - Commuting · Ontario Distance Grant - Travel · Ontario Student Grant - Distance Component

If your permanent home is 80+ km from the closest college or university of the type you attend, true for much of Northern Ontario, OSAP's Distance Grants add flat grant money to your full-time funding package: reported at $500 per term (max $1,500 over three terms) for the commuting component, with a separate travel component for students living away from home. No separate application; OSAP considers you automatically.

Amount
Up to $1,500

oneca.com · Last verified Aug 17, 2026 · Reported, verification pending

Instrument
Grant (non-repayable)
Status
Next intake not announced watch this page or subscribe to the calendar
Who qualifies
Individual
  • Full-time OSAP applicant whose permanent residence is 80 km or more from the closest postsecondary institution of the type attended (reported)
  • Two components: Commuting (regular commuters) and Travel (single dependent students living away from the parental home during study) (reported)
  • Province-wide, but the 80-km test makes it disproportionately relevant to Northern Ontario students
  • No separate application, OSAP automatically considers you when you apply for full-time aid (reported)

ask.uwindsor.ca · Last verified Aug 17, 2026 · Reported, verification pending

Application process

  1. Apply for full-time OSAP for the academic year (osap.gov.on.ca)
  2. OSAP automatically assesses distance-grant eligibility from your permanent address, no separate form
  3. Grant is included in your OSAP funding package

oneca.com · Last verified Aug 17, 2026 · Reported, verification pending

Stacking

  • Ontario Learn and Stay Grant, Compatible, Learn and Stay recipients can also apply for full-time OSAP, which auto-considers distance grants for living/travel costs.

Common questions

Do I need to apply separately for the Distance Grant?

No, OSAP automatically considers you for the distance grants (commuting or travel) when you submit a full-time OSAP application; eligibility is assessed from your permanent address.

How much is it?

Reported at $500 per term up to $1,500 for a three-term study period for the commuting component. The Ministry has not republished a standalone program page since the OSAP site redesign, so treat the exact figure as reported rather than confirmed for 2026-27.

Does living in Northern Ontario qualify me?

Only if your permanent residence is 80+ km from the closest postsecondary institution of the type you attend. Many Northern communities meet this, but students in Thunder Bay, Sudbury, Sault Ste. Marie or North Bay near a local campus of the same type may not.

Apply

Apply on the funder’s site and confirm current terms there:

osap.gov.on.ca