Funded career training for Ontario Works and ODSP recipients.
York College of Applied Studies is a registered Ontario career college offering 100% online certificates and diplomas in community services and health administration. If you receive Ontario Works or ODSP benefits, you may be able to have your training paid for and study without affecting your benefits.
How OW and ODSP recipients get training funded
OW and ODSP recipients usually access training funding through one of two routes. Your caseworker will confirm which applies to you.
Option 1 — Better Jobs Ontario (BJO)
Ontario's main retraining grant. Receiving OW or ODSP does not stop you from applying; it is one of the situations the program is designed for. Applications go through an Employment Ontario service provider, not the college. BJO can cover tuition, books, and other training costs, and it does not have to be repaid.
Option 2 — ODSP Employment Supports
ODSP recipients may also access training through an ODSP Employment Supports service provider as part of a plan to prepare for work. Your caseworker can refer you.
In both routes the funder pays the college directly once your training plan is approved. You are not asked to pay tuition yourself.
The one rule that matters most: get your funding approved before you enrol. Training that starts before approval will not be funded.
ELIGIBLE PROGRAMS
Programs available to funded learners:
HOW SPONSORED TRAINING WORKS
Three steps to get started.
Step 1 — Talk to your caseworker
Say you want to train for a new career and ask which route applies to you: Better Jobs Ontario through an Employment Ontario service provider, or ODSP Employment Supports.
Step 2 — Choose your program and email us
Email admissions@yorkc.ca with the subject line "Ontario Works / ODSP funding." We send a program outline, an official tuition breakdown, and a letter of acceptance, and your service provider submits the application.
Step 3 — Once approved, enrol and start
We confirm your start and end dates and weekly schedule with your funder, then handle proof of enrolment, progress reports, and completion notices as required.
Keeping your benefits while you study
Many funded learners keep receiving OW or ODSP while they train. Confirm with your caseworker that your training plan is approved and recorded. Because our programs are online with no in person classroom attendance, your weekly study hours can be scheduled around medical appointments, family responsibilities, or part-time work.
WHAT YOUR STUDY SCHEDULE LOOKS LIKE
Funding rules for online training require set start and end dates, benchmarks for completion, and a structured, interactive learning environment. Your training plan is built to meet them:
→ Start and end dates stated in your acceptance letter
→ Weekly milestones your caseworker can see
→ A scheduled instructor check-in each week, by video or email
→ Progress reports to your funder at agreed intervals and on completion
→ Attendance and participation records on request
→ Full-time or part-time schedules; note that Better Jobs Ontario's living allowance applies to full-time training only
This is a structured schedule, not open-ended self-study.
→ Start and end dates stated in your acceptance letter
→ Weekly milestones your caseworker can see
→ A scheduled instructor check-in each week, by video or email
→ Progress reports to your funder at agreed intervals and on completion
→ Attendance and participation records on request
→ Full-time or part-time schedules; note that Better Jobs Ontario's living allowance applies to full-time training only
This is a structured schedule, not open-ended self-study.
JOIN US
WHY FUNDED LEARNERS CHOOSE YORK COLLEGE
→ Structured online delivery — set start and end dates, weekly milestones, and instructor check-ins, as Employment Ontario requires for funded online training
→ 100% online — study from home, on any device, on a schedule that fits around family and work
→ Fast completion — most certificates can be completed in 3–6 weeks
→ Student support — our team is available throughout your program
→ Recognized credential — York College is registered under the Ontario Career Colleges Act, 2005
→ Documentation support — we provide everything your funder needs, including acceptance letters, tuition breakdowns, proof of enrolment, and progress reports
→ Cost-effective — most certificates under $1,000; Better Jobs Ontario is designed to fund the most cost-effective route to employment
→ Frequent start dates — new cohorts begin regularly, so you're not waiting for September
→ 100% online — study from home, on any device, on a schedule that fits around family and work
→ Fast completion — most certificates can be completed in 3–6 weeks
→ Student support — our team is available throughout your program
→ Recognized credential — York College is registered under the Ontario Career Colleges Act, 2005
→ Documentation support — we provide everything your funder needs, including acceptance letters, tuition breakdowns, proof of enrolment, and progress reports
→ Cost-effective — most certificates under $1,000; Better Jobs Ontario is designed to fund the most cost-effective route to employment
→ Frequent start dates — new cohorts begin regularly, so you're not waiting for September
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Funding Sources We Work With
We accept funding from:
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Better Jobs Ontario — Up to $28,000 for training of one year or less, or up to $35,000 for training between one and two years, covering tuition, books and instructional costs, and, for full-time training, a basic living allowance of up to $500 per week adjusted for household income. Applications go through your Employment Ontario service provider and must be approved before training starts.
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WSIB — Return-to-work retraining for injured workers, arranged through your WSIB Return-to-Work Specialist.
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Ontario Works (OW) — Employment-related training supports through your caseworker.
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Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) — Employment supports for people with disabilities.
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Indigenous education funding — Band, Métis, and First Nations education and training funding; we work directly with sponsoring organizations on documentation and invoicing.
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RESP — Registered Education Savings Plans
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Employer sponsorship — Many employers cover professional development. We provide program outlines, employer letters, and direct invoicing.
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Canada Training Credit — A refundable federal tax credit for eligible training fees, available to Canadians aged 26–65 with an accumulated credit balance.
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Payment plans — Monthly plans for any balance not covered by funding.
Frequently asked questions
Can I apply for Better Jobs Ontario if I'm on Ontario Works or ODSP?
Yes. Receiving OW or ODSP is not a barrier; it is one of the circumstances Better Jobs Ontario is built for. Your Employment Ontario service provider assesses your eligibility and suitability for the occupation you want to train for.
Do I have to pay anything up front?
No. Once funding is approved, the funder pays the college directly. Do not pay a deposit or start a program before your approval is confirmed in writing.
Can I start while my application is being processed?
No. Starting before approval disqualifies the application. Use the waiting time to gather documents and confirm your program choice with admissions.
Will studying affect my OW or ODSP payments?
Approved training is normally compatible with continuing to receive benefits. Confirm your plan with your caseworker before you begin.
I have a disability. Can the program be adapted?
Yes, within an online format. There are no fixed class times; you follow a weekly schedule agreed with your funder, with one year of access from enrolment and materials you can read or watch. Tell admissions what would help.
Do I need a high school diploma?
Diploma programs require an Ontario Secondary School Diploma or equivalent, or mature student status with a qualifying assessment. Certificates have no formal prerequisite. Admissions can confirm for your program.
Are York College credentials recognized?
York College of Applied Studies is registered under the Ontario Career Colleges Act, 2005. Diploma programs are Ministry-approved vocational programs. All credentials are issued digitally and can be verified by employers.
Ready to get started?
Contact our admissions team to discuss your funding and choose the right program.
Email: admissions@yorkc.ca · Phone: (647) 558-7060
Sources: Better Jobs Ontario, Government of Ontario; Better Jobs Ontario Program Guidelines, Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development, effective January 27, 2026. Last updated: [August 26, 2026].
