How to Apply for Better Jobs Ontario Funding?

Better Jobs Ontario has replaced the Second Career program. The program now offers increased eligibility for the unemployed and underemployed as well as those on social assistance, gig workers, youth and newcomers to Ontario. Please visit georgebrown.ca/better for more information.

Looking to retrain for a new career?

Better Jobs Ontario is an Ontario government cost-sharing grant that helps laid-off and underemployed individuals retrain for jobs in growing fields. Qualified applicants can receive financial help with tuition, books and supplies, transportation and living expenses associated with their education.

Check out our step by step guide below to learn more about eligibility and application steps.

Download 10 steps on How to Apply for Better Jobs Ontario at George Brown Polytechnic document in PDF format.

Step 1 - Start Early

This 10 step process can take several months to complete, so please start early as our programs fill up quickly. Start by visiting your local employment assessment centre to be assessed as Better Jobs Ontario eligible and to develop a Return to Work Action Plan.

Please visit: feat.findhelp.ca

Step 2 - Explore the Programs

Explore George Brown Polytechnic programs and check to see which ones are still open for application. When researching programs, the following MLITSD guidelines should be considered:

Prospective programs should be no more than two years in length and should lead to a specified career path
One year of academic upgrading may be considered (if required)

Search Programs

Step 3 - Attend Information Session

If you have questions, you can attend a Better Jobs Ontario information session and have all your questions answered by a George Brown Polytechnic Advisor. You can also visit the George Brown Polytechnic’s Better Jobs Ontario for prospective students webpage where you will find additional program and college information that will assist you with your research.

Step 4 - Apply Online

Please select an available George Brown program and apply online at Ontario Colleges. Make sure to select the box that indicates that you are applying as an Agency Sponsored Better Jobs Ontario Applicant - this is the 1st drop down feature on the "Financial Support" section of the application under "My Profile".

There is a non-refundable $150.00 fee to apply.

If you have any questions about your online application, please contact OCAS directly at 1-888-892-2228.

Step 5 - Pay for Your Application

After completion of the OCAS application and payment of the $150.00 processing fee, your application will be received by the college within 48 hours.

Step 6 - Visit the Assessment Centre

If required, you will be mailed a letter that explains how to complete admission testing. You will be directed to complete admission testing at one of the George Brown Polytechnic Assessment Centres.

Please make sure to identify that you are a Better Jobs Ontario applicant.

Visit either the Casa Loma Assessment Centre or St. James Campus.

Testing fees are waived for Better Jobs Ontario applicants.

Step 7 - Receive Better Jobs Ontario Cost Estimate

Once an admissions decision has been made and you are admitted to your program, a Better Jobs Ontario Cost Estimate will be issued by Admissions. This letter will be emailed to you from the admissions department.

Step 8 - Submit Documents to Your Case Manager

If you have received a George Brown Polytechnic Better Jobs Ontario Cost Estimate Letter, you will need to attach it to your Better Jobs Ontario application package, along with your fee invoice and GBC letter of acceptance, and submit them to your Employment Ontario Case Manager. The complete package will then be sent by your Case Manager to the MLITSD for funding review.

Step 9 - Bring the Copy of Your Contract to the Student Service Centre

Once you sign and receive a copy of your approved MLITSD Better Jobs Ontario Contract, please email a copy to admissions@georgebrown.ca or bring it to George Brown’s Student Service Centre. and present this information to one of the Information Specialists. Make sure to identify yourself as a Better Jobs Ontario student.

Casa Loma: 160 Kendal Ave, C317 (Student Service Centre)
St. James: 200 King St. E, B150 (Student Service Centre)
Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

In order to hold a seat in your chosen program, you must pay a nonrefundable $500 tuition deposit fee before your fee payment deadline. This deposit goes towards your tuition for the first semester of your academic year. You will receive an invoice from the College in the mail that will indicate when this deposit is due. Failure to pay the tuition deposit may result in the loss of your seat in your program.

If your Better Jobs Ontario contract has not been approved by the MLITSD, but you have received a BJO Cost Estimate letter, please look into other means of Financial Assistance: