Educational Supports for Youth in Care

Ministry of Training Colleges and Universities Crown Ward Strategy

Ontario is committed to ensuring that everyone has equal opportunity to pursue a postsecondary opportunity. Crown Wards face challenges to pursuing their education, so Ontario has developed a strategy to help encourage Crown Wards to consider postsecondary education and to help them succeed should they make that choice. Click here to read more...

Clark Awards

The Clark Bursary Fund was established in 1989 through a generous donation by Ron and Nancy Clark of Caledonia. It was created to assist youth in care and former wards to achieve their academic and career goals.

  • In 1989, there were five bursaries of $250 awarded to young people in care.
  • In 1995, Ron and Nancy began contributing yearly to ensure 20 bursaries were available each year to deserving young people.
  • In 2000, they introduced the one-time Clark Grant of $1,000 to youth in care and former youth in care pursuing educational, employment or skills development programs.
  • In 2007, the Clark’s benevolence continued with the introduction of the Clark Graduation Award, a gift of $1,000 for Clark Bursary recipients completing their post-secondary studies and a generous graduation present from the Clarks.  
  • In 2009, 20 new bursaries and 20 grants were awarded.
  • In 2013, 25 new bursaries will be awarded to align with the annual amount of the award with the OSAP, resulting in a maximum award of $3,500 for all students.

The Clark Bursary Award is available to youth in care and former wards pursuing post-secondary education.  Students attending university will receive $4,500 per year for up to four years and students attending college will receive $3,000 per year for two years (or three years depending on program). Upon completion of their studies, Clark Bursary recipients are eligible to receive the Clark Graduation award — a monetary gift of $1,000.

The Clark Grants Award is a one-time grant of $1,000 offered to young people who are pursuing educational, employment or skills development programs and require financial assistance.  The grant is available for tuition, equipment, tools or other requirements. 

Nominations for the Clark Bursary and Grant must be submitted by a CAS. The nominees are the selected candidates from their agency and will have secured a personal reference to support their application.  An agency may nominate one youth for the bursary and one youth for the grant.  

For more information, please visit the Awards page on the Members website.

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RONA Scholarship

In partnership with the Children's Aid Foundation (CAF), select RONA Home and Garden stores across Ontario collaborate each year to raise funds through the sale of JJ teddy bears. As a result of their fundraising efforts, these funds are provided to help youth in care and former youth in care pursue post-secondary education. In 2012, due to the continued generosity of RONA Home and Garden stores, OACAS is pleased to announce that 15 one-time scholarships of $3,000 are available for youth in care and former youth in care pursuing post-secondary education.

For more information, please visit the Awards page on the Members website.

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PHD Canada Scholarship

OACAS has the privilege of honouring another one of its proud supporters with a scholarship under their name. Last year PHD Canada supported 7 students with one-time grants of $3000.

In January 2007, media buying company, PHD Canada (PHD), accepted OACAS as a pro-bono account. OACAS partnered with PHD to market the redeveloped Child Abuse Prevention Campaign in 2007 and 2008. In 2009, PHD continued their relationship with OACAS and launched the Public Engagement Campaign for Children’s Aid Societies in January 2010. In 2011, PHD raised money with their Big Hug Charity Day. In addition to providing their services pro-bono, PHD has hosted an annual golf tournament with proceeds supporting OACAS and children and youth in care.

For more information, please visit the Members website.

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Other Awards & Opportunities

OACAS offers the Clark Bursary Awards, but there are other organizations that offer awards, bursaries and scholarships to children currently in care or former Crown wards. This is not meant to be a comprehensive list, and if you know of other organizations that offer awards or opportunities to Ontario children in care or former Crown wards, please email us so they can be added to this list.


National Youth in Care Network - Ken Dryden Scholarships
Each year Ken Dryden Scholarships are awarded to young people, currently or formerly in the care of the Canadian child welfare system, who demonstrate great achievement and promise. Each scholarship covers up to $3,000 or 80% of the cost of tuition and fees, whichever is less, and is renewable annually, based on reasonable progress toward the completion of an undergraduate degree or diploma.
As a young person, all you need do is apply. As a child welfare worker, foster parent or friend, please tell any eligible young person of these scholarship opportunities and offer your help.

Ken Dryden Scholarship

Ken Dryden Scholarships are awarded to select young people, currently or formerly in the care of the Canadian child welfare system, who demonstrate great achievement and promise. Each scholarship covers up to $3,000 or 80% of the cost of tuition and fees, whichever is less, and is renewable annually.


For more information and guidelines, download:
Terms of Reference and Guidelines (eng, 76kb)
Cadre de références et lignes directrices (fr, 81kb)

To apply, download either the Microsoft Word fillable application form or the pdf file to fill in by hand:
PDF Application Form (eng, 112kb)
Microsoft Word Application Form (eng, 100kb)
PDF Formulaire de demande (fr, 128 kb)
Microsoft Word Formulaire de demande (fr, 101 kb)
The deadline for applications is the March 30th 2013 for the academic year starting that September.
For more scholarship opportunities and for information about provincial support contact us.

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