To see the programs still available at Ontario Colleges, use the OCAS website: Ontario Colleges
Search for the programs you are looking for and if there is a green circle with the word OPEN, then you can still apply.
See the example below:
*APPLY*
Helpful Tips When Applying:
$156 for 3 program choices; $50 for every additional choice
You will need create an account. We suggest you use your personal email address, as you will lose your student account when you leave SWC.
You will need to create a username and password-WRITE THIS DOWN or TAKE A PICTURE OF IT
You will need your OEN and student number, which can be found in Aspen
When it asks for "highest grade level achieved", select GRADE 12
When asked: "Year started high school" - enter September, 2021
Helpful Tips When Applying:
$150 for 5 program choices ONLY
You will need create an account. We suggest you use your personal email address, as you will lose your student account when you leave SWC.
You will need to create a username and password-WRITE THIS DOWN or TAKE A PICTURE OF IT
You will need your OEN and student number, which can be found in Aspen
DEGREE PROGRAMS - OFFERED AT COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITY - REQUIRE APPLICANTS TO HAVE 6 GR. 12 U/M COURSES/CREDITS (COMPLETED AND/OR ON THEIR TIMETABLE) IN ORDER TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR CONSIDERATION INTO THE PROGRAM.
ONTARIO UNIVERSITIES ONLY OFFER DEGREE PROGRAMS. COLLEGES OFFER DEGREE AND DIPLOMA PROGRAMS.
COLLEGE DIPLOMA PROGRAMS DO NOT REQUIRE 6 GR. 12 U/M COURSES.
DEGREES @ COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITY = 6 GR. 12 U/M, INCLUDING ANY REQUIRED COURSES
DIPLOMAS @ COLLEGE = ENG4C OR ENG4U + ANY REQUIRED COURSES
e.g. Brock University: "Ontario high school students must present the OSSD and complete six 4U/M courses. All required courses will be included in the calculation of your overall admission average."
DIPLOMA OR DEGREE? COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITY?
“Colleges offer certificate programs, diplomas, apprenticeships, and degrees. Universities offer under-graduate and graduate degrees and other professional programs. All programs vary in length and prerequisites — the pre-work or qualifications you need to be eligible for a program. All schools set their own admission requirements.” (ON Ministry of Colleges & Universities)
The Difference Between Canadian Colleges and Universities
Ministry of Colleges and Universities
Glossary of Post-Secondary Terms
Upcoming Events
College & University Spring Open Houses, Virtual Tours, Viewbooks and Homepages
This link will be regularly updated as we get provided with specific dates, times, and information.
Ontario Learn and Stay Grant Learn about funding to cover the costs of tuition, books and other direct educational expenses and how to apply.
To view more details on how to research programs at both a college and university institution, watch the Guidance Presentations in the links below (Note: some interfaces and links might have changed, or look different, as institutions update their sites)
*COLLEGE*
SEPT. 30, 2024 MESSAGE FROM OCAS:
We’re happy to share that the 2025-2026 college application is here! Students can now apply to Ontario college programs starting between August 2025 and July 2026 at ontariocolleges.ca.
What’s New
We’d like to remind you of a few changes that students will experience when completing their applications. These updates include:
Updated application fee – The fee for 2025-2026 applications is $150. The application fee for programs starting between August 2024 and July 2025 will remain $125.
Full program start dates – When browsing for and adding programs, applicants will see a program’s full start date (month, day, and year), helping them better understand when they can expect to begin attending classes.
Important Dates
There are some important dates that students should keep in mind when applying to college. Here are the next two key dates in the application process:
November 1, 2024 – Colleges begin sending offers of admission on this date. Encourage students to log into their accounts regularly to check for offers.
February 1, 2025 – Students must apply to highly competitive programs on or before this date to receive equal consideration. After this date, colleges consider applicants on a first-come, first-served basis until programs are full.
Visit our Important Dates page for a complete list of important dates for fall 2025 programs.
$150 for 5 program choices - no more than 5 choices permitted
February 1, 2025: Equal Consideration Date
Apply on or before this date in order to receive equal consideration for admission to programs.
How to apply to Ontario's Colleges
"How To" Guide for Applicants (73 pages worth of info!)
Colleges offer both diploma and degree programs! View this short video on the benefits of a college degree program: College Degree vs University Degree
ON Colleges answers top 20 Questions
OCAS Information Links:
*UNIVERSITY*
The last Ontario Universities' Information Sessions virtual event is Thursday, November 21, from 5 to 7 pm (ET). The event is divided into 4 half-hour sessions where students can choose which university sessions they want to attend. Some universities will offer presentations in French.
Students must sign up to access the event website. For privacy reasons, do not sign up for the Information Sessions on behalf of your students.
Helpful Links
Resources to promote the event, including graphics and sample social media posts
Follow us on Instagram
Follow us on X
Like us on Facebook
$156 for 3 program choices; $50 for every additional choice
January 15, 2025: Equal Consideration Date
Apply on or before this date in order to receive equal consideration for admission to programs.
How to apply to Ontario's Universities\OUAC
*How to create your OUAC account *How to complete your application *How to edit your completed application *How to respond to an offer of admission (videos)
To research Universities in Ontario go to the Ontario Universities' Website: Ontario Universities' Website
This website will provide you with valuable information on the school programs and what you need to apply. We encourage students to research what prerequisites they will need in order to be eligible to apply, have a look at the most up-to-date cut-off ranges, and have a look at what first-year courses are offered in the programs.
QUICK COMPARE TOOL Use this tool to find out who uses Gr. 11 marks, and how; OUAC ranking consideration; SHSM, Tuition, Residence, Scholarships, etc.
This is a quick reminder that we have updated our online resources for the 2023-2024 cycle.
Student Hyperdoc [PDF]
This document contains links to promotional material about applying to university that you can post for your Grade 12 students, and other important information, such as deadlines, university recruitment events and online resources like OUInfo.
Connect with Ontario Universities Hyperdoc [PDF]
This document outlines the various ways students can connect with Ontario universities throughout the entire application process - from starting their research with OUInfo to applying through the OUAC.
*FULL DISCLOSURE*
The Ministry of Education has a policy of full disclosure. This policy states that all Grade 11&12 courses attempted by students must be recorded on Ontario Student Transcripts.
Full disclosure does not apply to students in Grades 9 or 10.
Any Grade 11 or Grade 12 course completed, dropped or failed will appear on a student transcript along with the marks earned in the program.
Full disclosure will take effect 5 instructional days following the issue of the November/April Provincial Report Card in a semestered school.
What each post-secondary institution does, or doesn't do, with consideration of dropped/failed courses is at their own discretion. Students will need to contact the college/university to learn of their policy and how it could impact their application to a particular program.
*ONTransfer*
Another great opportunity for you to explore is the ONTransfer possibilities. This allows students to start in college and then transfer to a university or start in university and transfer to a college and take their credits with them.
"Transfer lets you move between schools (e.g. colleges to university). It is when previous learning you completed at one school is recognized at another, so that you don't have to repeat courses you've already completed. Potential benefits of transferring credits can include: Saving money, Saving time, More flexibility"
To find out more about this great opportunity visit the ONTransfer website: ONTransfer
Thanks to the Niagara College & Niagara University Dual Admission agreement, students from ten Niagara College diploma programs will gain guaranteed and automatic acceptance to Niagara University – as long as they graduate from Niagara College with a grade-point average of 65% or higher. Those who opt to continue their studies in a corresponding Niagara University bachelor’s degree program will also receive a $500 scholarship for up to two years of study at Niagara University and will be guaranteed an internship, or a similar high-impact experience if they complete the Niagara University pathway program (where applicable).
FUTURE TEACHERS TAKE NOTE: A new dual admission agreement between Niagara College (NC) and Niagara University (NU) will put future graduates of NC’s Early Childhood Education (ECE) and Educational Assistance & Adult Supports (EA&AS) Programs who want to pursue a teaching degree at NU on a direct pathway to do it. The agreement grants anyone graduating from either the College’s two-year ECE or EA&AS diploma program preferred admission to the university’s Bachelor of Arts in Teacher Education program (Grades kindergarten through 6). That means you can be out and working in 4 years instead of 6!!!
What is Career Coach?
Career Coach is an interactive, user-friendly, web-based tool that enables prospective students, students, graduates, and any visitor to the college’s website to learn about the employment prospects of a wide range of occupations. The data and information are linked to the college’s programming and includes occupational descriptions, detailed wage estimates and up-to-date job postings by occupation.
Not sure what area of interest or programs to apply to? Thanks to our friends at Fanshawe College, you can take a short assessment that will help guide you towards programs of interest based on your personality. Take the quiz and see what options are out there for YOU!