Applying to Ontario Colleges
Pre-Application and Application Guidelines
As a Grade 12 student, you are responsible for ensuring your eligibility for college admission. Please review the following important dates and procedures, and complete all required steps to stay on track.
If you have questions or require support with this process please make an appointment to speak to your guidance counsellor.
As a Grade 12 student, it's important to take proactive steps to ensure you're eligible and ready for college. Follow these guidelines to stay on track:
Explore Colleges
Attend online and in-person information sessions for colleges you are interested in.
View the schedule to find dates and times for each institution’s virtual events.
Plan Financially
Consider getting a part-time job and begin saving money for post-secondary expenses.
Research Programs
Identify the certification, diploma, education, or training required for your chosen career.
Begin your research by logging into myBlueprint or visiting OntarioColleges.ca.
Check Course Requirements
Use the Student Portal to confirm that your Grade 12 courses align with your program of interest.
For most college programs, one of your credits must be ENG4C1 (or ENG4U1).
Confirm Admission Criteria
Visit OntarioColleges.ca to ensure your courses meet the entrance requirements for your selected programs.
LIST TVDSB VIRTUAL LINKS - Post-Secondary Information Visits - Fall 2026_new.pdfView the calendar and click on the link to register for a virtual live information session with colleges and universities. Colleges and universities will be hosting online information sessions & webcasts to help you get to know your options. Learn more about the application process, admission requirements, student life—and learn how 700+ programs in science, engineering, business, and the arts equip today’s students for the new economy.
College Open Houses 2025.docxThese events will include campus tours, lectures, meet with professors, opportunities to explore academic programs of choice and talk with staff and students about admission, financial aid, residence, campus life and more.
View the list for dates and times. Register by visiting the institution's Open House web page.
Ontario College Information Program (CIP) - Fall 2026
The College Information Program (CIP) Tour is a series of free events held across Ontario where you can meet representatives from Ontario's public colleges and polytechnics, all in one place.
Don’t miss out on an awesome opportunity to meet with college reps and get the information you need to make your decision about post-secondary education.
Learn about all kinds of careers and college programs
Discover unique programs that are only offered at Ontario’s colleges
Learn about pathways between college and university
Get all the information on how and when to apply
Ask questions about campus life, housing, and student services
Learn about OSAP, awards, bursaries, and scholarships, as well as other ways to pay for your college education
Wednesday September 23
5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Conestoga College
299 Doon Valley Drive, Kitchener, ON, N2G4M4
Thursday September 24
10 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Conestoga College
299 Doon Valley Drive, Kitchener, ON, N2G4M4
Tuesday, September 29
9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Fanshawe College
1001 Fanshawe College Boulevard, London, ON, N5Y 5R6
Please note that students who are interested in attending university in another province or country must make an appointment with the Guidance Department for help with this process.
Each province has different university requirements for Ontario applicants.
Students interested in attending university in the United States may write their SATs or ACTs.
Access to the online college application process becomes available at www.ontariocolleges.ca. This website provides information about the various programs offered by Ontario colleges as well as the application process and program requirements.
Create an account and log in.
Fill in your personal information and educational history.
Add your program choices.
Huron Park Guidance will automatically send grades/transcript to Ontario Colleges Application Services.
Pay the application processing fee and any transcript fees ($150 for 5 choices - up to 3 at one college).
Log back in to verify your transcript information, or to make changes or updates to your application. (Changing your program choices after February 1 may affect your chances of receiving an offer, as applications will be considered first-come, first-served. Note that removing a program choice will notify the college you are no longer interested in that choice.)
Log back in after February 1 to view and confirm offers of admission.
When you are applying to college, you should be using your personal email address, not your gotvdsb email address.
This is last date for students wanting equal consideration for program choices to submit applications and changes to previously selected colleges and/or programs.
Applications can be submitted after this date and offers will only be made for programs that are open.
Now that www.ontariocolleges.ca has received your application there are a few responsibilities you need to attend to before you receive your acceptance notices from colleges.
Please read the following dates and guidelines and complete the necessary steps.
This date is the earliest that Ontario Colleges will release offers of admissions to eligible applicants and is the earliest date that applicants may confirm an offer of admission.
Bursary and Scholarship information and application procedures are available on the FINANCIAL PLANNING page of the Huron Park Guidance Department website and online at TVEF.
Information on the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) can also be found on the FINANCIAL PLANNING page.
TVDSB, Oxford County, Woodstock and HPSS scholarship and bursary application procedures and timelines are available on the FINANCIAL PLANNING page.
Ensure your 40 Community Volunteer Hours are complete and that the Main Office has this information.
This date is the final opportunity where students must confirm their acceptance of an offer of admission to their program.
This date is the earliest that Ontario colleges may require payment of tuition/residence fees.
Check the OSAP website (osap.gov.on.ca) for the newest application. Apply as soon as you can; you will need at least 10 weeks before classes start to get financial aid.
Read your financial assistance award letters carefully. The amount of money you are eligible to receive depends upon the college and program you accept.
Look for a summer job to offset the cost of post-secondary school
Send your tuition/residence deposit to reserve your spot. Make sure to respond by the confirmation-of-offer date.
Watch the mail/email for important housing, orientation and registration material. If you do not reply when requested, you might not be guaranteed a space to live.
Remember that most student loans are taken out in your name, not your parents’. You have to pay back all of your loans - with interest. Borrow only what you need.