Clark Bursary Award Program – Ontario Association of Children's Aid Societies

OACAS is excited to announce that the Clark Bursary Award is reopening, with updated eligibility criteria for 2026 applicants.

Applications will be open from July 15 to September 15, 2026. Applications will be closed early if the number of applications far exceeds the award money available.

Eligible applicants can receive a one-time bursary of $2,000.

Awards will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis to youth who meet all eligibility requirements. Successful applicants will be notified as applications are reviewed, and bursary payments will be issued on a rolling basis once each month.

Please note: Youth who have previously received a Clark Bursary Award may still apply, but priority will be given to first-time applicants. Previous recipients will only be considered after new applicants have been reviewed and if funding remains available.

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.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must:

Be between 18 and 30 years of age in the year of the application.
Have ‘in care’ experience through a child welfare agency in Ontario including:
- In or previously in Extended Society Care
- Former Crown Wards
- On or previously on a Voluntary Youth Services Agreement (VYSA)
- Receiving or eligible to receive Ready Set Go Services (formerly CCSY)
- In or previously in Customary Care arrangements
- Placed through a custody order in Kinship Service
Be in or entering a post-secondary educational activity (trade, apprenticeship, or university or college program) OR
Be 21+ and completing secondary school credits through an adult learning centre or credit completion program.
Provide proof of educational activity (class schedule, transcript, certificate, invoice, or other proof of an expense related to education, training, or certification). The activity must be current, planned for the next academic year.

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

Explore opportunities available at your post-secondary institution.
Visit the Educational Support section of the Children’s Aid Foundation of Canada website, where you will find a variety of scholarships and awards for youth in and from care that you may be eligible for.