Clark Bursary Award Program

OACAS is pleased to announce the reopening of the Clark Bursary Award and new eligibility criteria for 2025 applications.

The Clark Bursary Award is open to current or former Crown Wards/Extended Society Wards, those receiving or eligible to receive Ready Set Go Services (formerly CCSY, including VYSA) and those with permanent Customary Care or Kinship Arrangements.

Award applications will be accepted from July 15 until September 15th. Applicants may be eligible to receive a $2,000 Clark Bursary Award, paid in one lump sum.

All award decisions will be made on a first come first served basis for those youth who meet the eligibility criteria. Payments will be made once a month to awarded recipients that have provided the necessary information.

Please note: Those youth who have previously received an award will be considered only after the prioritization of new youth applicants and where funds allow.

About the Award Program

OACAS administers the Clark Bursary Award Program on behalf of the Ron and Nancy Clark Foundation. It was established in 1989 through a generous donation by Ron and Nancy Clark of Caledonia, with the goal of assisting youth in and from care to achieve their academic and career goals. 

Applicants may be eligible to receive a $2,000 Clark Bursary Award, paid in one lump sum.  

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must:

  • Be 30 years of age or under at the time of application.
  • Be/have been in the care of an Ontario children’s aid society or an Indigenous Child and Family Well-Being Agency, OR
  • Be/have been in a permanent Customary Care or Kinship arrangement through a children’s aid society or Indigenous Child and Family Well-being Agency in Ontario
  • Be in, entering, or graduating from a post-secondary educational activity (trade, apprenticeship, or university or college program) OR
  • Be 18+ and completing secondary school credits through an adult learning centre or credit completion program.
  • Provide proof of educational activity (class schedule, transcript, graduation diploma, certificate, invoice, or other proof of an expense related to education, training, or certification). The activity must be current, planned for the next semester, or within the 12 months before submission.

In 2025, the Clark Bursary extends eligibility to include youth who are/were in a permanent Customary Care or Kinship arrangement through a children’s aid society or Indigenous Child and Family Well-being Agency in Ontario.

Application

Click here to register and apply. See here for more details.

 

Questions

If you have any question regarding the Clark Bursary Awards program, contact awards@oacas.org.

Please know that your information is collected and used for the sole purpose of administering the Clark Bursary program. If you’d like to withdraw your consent at any time or discuss how it is being used, contact awards@oacas.org.

Additional Financial Support