7 financial aid options that could help you follow your career dreams

Many people struggle to cover their daily financial costs of living. According to renowned motivational speaker Dr. Wayne Dyer, in his book Excuses—Begone!, however, “I can’t find the money” is an excuse many people use to avoid making important—but challenging—changes in their lives.

Have you been making excuses to avoid going back to school? Or are you legitimately worried about how you’ll afford the costs of retraining for a new career? To help you clear away some of your own limitations and make the move to come back to school, here are some forms of financial aid that may well be open to you. With start dates just around the corner, we’ve even provided specific links, so you can look into these areas of potential financial aid now!

Student loans, grants, scholarships and bursaries

Financial aid may be available to those who qualify. To find your eligibility for financial related programs, visit www.ontario.ca/page/student-loans-grants-scholarships-and-bursaries.

Second Career

To help retrain recently laid-off workers for new careers, the Government of Ontario created the Second Career program. This program provides financial aid to eligible candidates for tuition, living, dependent care, transportation and study materials expenses—among other things. You must visit an Employment Ontario assessment centre near you to determine your eligibility. Visit http://secondcareerontario.com/web/second_career/landing/ for more information.

Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB)

The WSIB works in conjunction with registered Private Career Colleges in Ontario to help people train for job market re-entry. If you’ve been injured and want to retrain for your previous job or even enter a new career, visit the link here. You may be eligible for financial aid in the form of tuition funding, job counselling and job search support.

Lifelong Learning Plan

The Lifelong Learning Plan (LLP) helps Canadian residents withdraw money from their Registered Retirement Savings Plans in order to fund their own full-time education—or that of their spouse or common-law partner. Students seeking to study part time may also participate if they meet disability conditions. Visit http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/tx/ndvdls/tpcs/rrsp-reer/llp-reep/cndtns/menu-eng.html for information about LLP financial aid.

Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP)

If you’re named under your family’s RESP, you may be able to use these funds to pay for your part-time or full-time studies in an eligible post-secondary program. Visit http://www.canlearn.ca/eng/savings/using_resp.shtml for more information.

Aboriginal & First Nations

The Post-Secondary Student Support Program is offered by Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada, and can provide financial aid to Inuit and First Nation students to help cover their travel, living or tuition costs. Students seeking post-secondary education on full or part-time bases at eligible institutions can apply. Visit http://www.aadnc-aandc.gc.ca/eng/1100100033679/1100100033680 for more information.

Trillium College Payment Plans and Financial Aid

In addition to the programs listed above, Trillium College offers its students financial aid. All Trillium College students qualify for our no-interest, in-house payment plans. If students require reduced monthly payment schedules, we may extend their monthly payments beyond their graduation date. Also, Trillium College has developed partnerships with several banks with student budgets in mind. These banks may provide you with a low monthly payment plan so you can afford to go to school. Visit our Financial Aid Page to learn more about funding at Trillium College now.

Still have questions?

Trillium College’s representatives can help. There’s still space in our programs for you to take your first step towards a great new career this September! Call 1.855.234.2008 to schedule your FREE Career Planning Session.