Student Services

Graduating?

The Ultimate Resource for Senior Students

If you're in Grade 11 or 12 and are preparing to graduate, you've come to the right page. Graduating? The Ultimate Resource for Senior Students is just for you for all your postsecondary needs.

Explore this page and find helpful information on a number of topics, including grad requirements, postsecondary options and financial aid.

Grad Requirements

Before you start planning your postsecondary life, make sure you have what it takes to become an Ontario secondary school graduate.

Compulsory Credits (total of 18)

4 credits in English
3 credits in mathematics
2 credits in science
1 credit in Canadian history
1 credit in Canadian geography
1 credit in the arts
1 credit in health and physical education
1 credit in French as a second language
0.5 credit in career studies and 0.5 credit in civics

Plus one credit from each of the following groups:

1 additional credit (group 1): additional credit in English, or French as a second language,** or a Native language, or a classical or an international language, or social sciences and the humanities, or Canadian and world studies, or guidance and career education, or cooperative education***
1 additional credit (group 2): additional credit in health and physical education, or the arts, or business studies, or French as a second language,** or cooperative education***
1 additional credit (group 3): additional credit in science (Grade 11 or 12), or technological education, or French as a second language,** or computer studies, or cooperative education***

A maximum of 3 credits in English as a second language (ESL) or English literacy development (ELD) may be counted towards the 4 compulsory credits in English, but the fourth must be a credit earned for a Grade 12 compulsory English course.
**In groups 1, 2, and 3, a maximum of 2 credits in French as a second language can count as compulsory credits, one from group 1 and one from either group 2 or group 3.
***A maximum of 2 credits in cooperative education can count as compulsory credits.

In addition to the compulsory credits, students must complete:

12 optional credits
40 hours of community involvement activities
the provincial literacy requirement

Postsecondary Options

There are many paths to take after secondary school. Read this section and select a pathway thats right for you.

As a secondary school graduate, you can:

Go to college
Attend university
Register as a trades apprentice
Study at a privately funded institution
Sign up for a program at a registered private career college
Join a military college
Start your own business
Find full-time work
Live independently

Applying to Postsecondary Schools

This section is of special interest to students who are looking to further their education at a college or at a university in Ontario.

Please Note: We encourage you to check college and university websites for more information. Some application procedures may vary.

Ontario Colleges

Secondary students meeting admission requirements may apply to any of Ontarios colleges by completing an Ontario College Application Services (OCAS) application form. Online application forms are processed on the OCAS website. Please talk to your guidance counsellors for more information.

If you are applying for college programs beginning in the fall, please ensure that your application is received at the OCAS on or before the equal consideration date. This is particularly important for students who are applying to highly competitive programs, where limited places are available.

For programs beginning at other times of the year, such as the winter or spring, please contact the individual colleges for information about application processing dates.

Becoming a Trades Apprentice

Read this section and find out how to get started on your trade apprenticeship.

To become a registered apprentice in Ontario, students must first find an employer who is willing to hire and train you. Students can find this type of employment by looking through job ads in newspapers, surfing online job banks, contacting local Job Connect Centre or by finding out more about the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP) in Rainbow Schools.

Once you find employment, your employer will contact the local Apprenticeship Office with the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities to arrange for a meeting with a Training Consultant. During the meeting, the Training Consultant will explain how the program works and then help you take steps to register as an apprentice.

Please Note: A fee is required to register as an apprentice, however no fee is charged if you are participating in the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program or in a Pre-Apprenticeship Training project.

Please Note: If youre a secondary student, you should visit your Guidance Office and ask about the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP) (link to OYAP section). If youre a Grade 12 student who is about to graduate, you should consider one of the many co-op diploma apprenticeship programs offered at Ontarios colleges.

Not Applying to College, University or an Apprenticeship?

Surf this section and learn about other exciting opportunities after high school.

There are plenty of other paths to take after high school. Perhaps youre looking to find full-time work, live independently, become an entrepreneur, join the Canadian military or attend a private training or career college. If so, please read the information below and follow the links. They will lead you to your future pathway.

Future Graduates of privately funded institutions and training or career colleges should contact their local private career college or training centres or talk to their guidance counsellor to find out more.

Hopeful Military Personnel will find everything they need to know about joining Canadas military college by clicking here. Students are also encouraged to contact their local Recruitment Office for more details.

Young Entrepreneurs can find a lot of helpful information about starting their own business by contacting the Sudbury Regional Business Centre and by visiting www.youth.gc.ca.

Full-Time Job Seekers are encouraged to visit Get A Job: A Students Guide to Employment and the Workplace as well as Stay Informed: Links for Students pages.

Please Note: Students who are interested in living independently should speak to their guidance counsellor for more information and resources.

Saving and Paying for Postsecondary Life

Browse through this section and find money management tips and financial help from a number of sources, including banks and credit unions, the Ontario Student Assistant Program (OSAP) as well as scholarships and bursaries.

Money Management Tips:

Contact your local bank or credit union and find out how you can budget, save and pay for your postsecondary life.
Remember: the earlier, the better.
Create a budget with your parents and friends. Start with a monthly plan and work your way to a yearly plan. Who knows? You could even make a game out of it!
Make sure your purchases fit within your budget. If you cant afford to pay your bills, its best not to make those purchases. Instead, put a few dollars aside every week and treat yourself to it later.
Saving is all about balance. If you spend over your budget this week, perhaps you can make up for it next week.
Track your spending for a few weeks and see where your money is going. Did you really need to buy all those items?
Know your financial style. If cash disappears quickly, try debit. If your credit card is too easy to use, cut it up.
Always look for discounts. When shopping take advantage of the many student discounts. Youll be surprised at how much you can save!
Dont keep your money problems a secret. Talk to your parents, your financial advisor or anyone else who can help you control your finances.
Get a part-time job during the school year and/or find a full-time position during the summer months. If planned well, you can save enough for your postsecondary pathway.
Apply for as many scholarships and bursaries as you can. Many scholarships and bursaries go unclaimed because no students have applied for them.

Financial Help:

Banks and Credit Unions can help you save and pay for your education and often provide students with scholarships and bursaries. Start your search with one of the many links below.

Bank of Montreal Financial Group

Desjardins - Caisses populaires de l'Ontario

Northern Credit Union

Royal Bank Financial Group

Scotiabank

TD Canada Trust

Ontario Student Assistant Program (OSAP) provides loans to
Ontario postsecondary students.

Scholarships and Bursaries are typically presented to students who have shown academic achievement, demonstrated school leadership and/or contributed to their community through volunteer services and community involvement activities.

For more information about scholarships and bursaries, please talk to your parents, guidance counsellor and employer. Many scholarships and bursaries are given at school and at your or your parents place of work.