Learn and Stay: Ontario’s Grant for Health Studies

Ontario’s Learn and Stay Grant is a provincial program that provides upfront funding for students who commit to working in healthcare roles where the province faces labor shortages. Here’s what you need to know: who qualifies, which programs and costs are covered, and—since international students don’t qualify—what real financing alternatives are available to them in Canada.

What Is the Learn and Stay Grant?

This is an Ontario provincial program, not a federal initiative under Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). It covers tuition, mandatory fees, books, and other direct education-related expenses for students enrolled in priority healthcare training programs that address workforce shortages in designated regions of the province.

Who Qualifies?

Eligibility rules explicitly exclude most international students. To qualify, applicants must be Ontario residents and either Canadian citizens, permanent residents, or protected persons. Students with only a study permit do not qualify—only those who obtained permanent residence or protected person status before enrolling may be considered.

Which Programs Are Covered?

Funding targets the healthcare sector at three levels: diploma programs like practical nursing, paramedic services, and medical laboratory technology; bachelor’s programs in nursing sciences; and master’s or postgraduate programs in select nursing specializations and advanced practice fields. Over sixty eligible programs are available across Northern, Eastern, and Southwestern Ontario.

How Much Does the Grant Cover, and What’s the Catch?

The Ontario government doesn’t set a fixed amount—funding covers tuition, mandatory fees, and books, which vary by program and institution. In return, recipients must work in the same region after graduation for at least 180 days (about six months) for each full year of funding received. For example, someone funded for four years of study would need to complete roughly 24 months of employment with an eligible regional employer.

One critical detail: if the work commitment isn’t fulfilled, the grant converts into a repayable loan. This isn’t free money—it’s funding tied to a service obligation.

Why Are International Students Excluded?

The program serves a clear public policy goal: retaining skilled healthcare workers in underserved regions by investing in individuals with a stable legal connection to Canada, such as citizenship, permanent residence, or protected status. International students still navigating the immigration process don’t provide the same guarantee of long-term regional retention, which is why Ontario restricts funding to those already holding eligible status.

Financing Options for International Students

Canada still offers viable funding options for international students, even if they differ from a full tuition subsidy. The Government of Canada’s official EduCanada portal lists several scholarship programs tailored to international applicants, each targeting specific regions or profiles.

• The Emerging Leaders in the Americas Program, for students from Latin America and the Caribbean pursuing short-term study or research;

• Study in Canada Scholarships, for students from Asia, Europe, the Middle East, North Africa, and Sub-Saharan Africa, supporting short-term stays;

• SEED-2 (Scholarships and Educational Exchanges for Development, Phase 2), for students from ASEAN countries, Pacific Islands, and Mongolia;

• The Canada-China Scholars’ Exchange Program, for Chinese academics conducting research projects;

• Canada’s International Development Scholarships 2030, for professionals and academics from eligible countries;

• The Organization of American States Academic Scholarship Program, for nationals of OAS member states.

Institution-specific and field-focused scholarships are also available, such as the Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships for doctoral students conducting research at Canadian universities, and grants supporting French-language studies. These include opportunities for anglophone or international students pursuing postsecondary education in French as a second language, funded by the Government of Canada and administered by organizations dedicated to university-level Francophonie.

Key Takeaways

The Learn and Stay Grant isn’t a pathway to free education for international students—it’s an Ontario workforce retention program for healthcare professionals, limited to citizens, permanent residents, and protected persons. International students seeking funding should explore scholarships listed on the official EduCanada portal, institution-specific grants, or organizations supporting French-language studies in Canada. Always verify the latest eligibility criteria directly on the relevant official websites before applying.