Thank you for your interest in the Bridging Educational Grant In Nursing (BEGIN) Program.
The Program is part of the government’s commitment to recruit nurses to the Long-term Care (LTC) and Home & Community Care (HCC) sectors by supporting PSWs and RPNs to career ladder to RPN and RN roles respectively 
.
BEGIN is expected to:
✓ Improve retention of nurses in the LTC/HCC sectors.
✓ Foster a culture of excellence in LTC/HCC to make these sectors of choice for the nursing profession.
Application Process
To help with your understanding of what the Program offers and the eligibility criteria we recommend you review the FAQs before commencing your online application.
Applications will be accepted during three separate application windows each fiscal year between 2022 and March 31, 2025.
The intake periods are:
April 1st – June 30th
August 1st – October 31st
Dec 1st – January 31st
Applications must be completed using Apply Now.
Please read the instructions in each section carefully and provide the required information.
IMPORTANT:
- Incomplete applications will be declined.
- Applicants must provide the information on the required fields of the secured online form.
- The opening and closing dates for all subsequent application windows will be posted on this website.
- Applicants are required to keep copies of their application forms, supporting documents .
Should you have any questions, please contact the WeRPN BEGIN Support Team at info@begin.werpn.com
BEGIN Program
Registered Practical Nurses (RPNs) and Personal Support Workers (PSWs) are eligible to apply.
What does the (BEGIN) Program provide?
The BEGIN Program provides tuition reimbursement to eligible RPNs and PSWs enrolled in an accredited RPN-RN or PSW-RPN bridging program.
Eligible RPNs can receive tuition reimbursement of up to $10,000 per year for up to 3 years and a maximum of $30,000.
Eligible PSWs can receive tuition reimbursement of up to $6,000 per year for up to 3 years and a maximum of $15,000.
Some BEGIN participants (based on demonstrated need) may also be eligible to receive additional financial support of up to $5,000 per year. This support is intended to assist with costs such as care for dependents, tutoring, and travel incurred while completing their educational program.
Do I have to apply to BEGIN before I apply to an educational program?
No, you apply to BEGIN after you have enrolled in an accredited RPN-RN and PSW-RPN bridging program.
Can I apply if I have already started an educational program?
Yes, if you are already enrolled in an accredited RPN-RN and PSW-RPN bridging program you can apply to BEGIN, regardless of how close to graduation you are.
If I applied to the Nursing Education Initiative (NEI) can I still apply to BEGIN?
Yes, any RPN can apply to BEGIN for tuition reimbursement if they are enrolled in an accredited RPN-RN bridging program, even if they have already applied to NEI.
I only have 6 months left in my nursing or PSW program, can I apply to BEGIN?
Yes, even with only 6 months left in your program you can apply to BEGIN.
If I fail to complete an accredited program, will I have to pay the BEGIN money back?
Yes, the support provided through the BEGIN Program must be paid back if you fail or leave the program without graduating.
Yes, all BEGIN participants will be required to provide one year of Return of Service (RoS) for every year, or portion of a year, for which BEGIN funding was received.
Return of Service (RoS) is an agreement that every BEGIN participant must enter into to provide one year of service/work in either the HCC or LTC sectors for every year, or portion of a year, for which BEGIN funding was received.
Will I get paid during the Return of Service period?
Yes. During the RoS period RPNs and PSW participants in BEGIN take normal paid positions in either the HCC or LTC sectors in Ontario.
How will I know when my RoS period is over?
WeRPN will work with you and your employer to track the amount of time you work during the RoS period. Once your RoS period is completed WeRPN and/or your employer will provide you with formal notification that you have fulfilled the terms of your RoS Agreement.
No. The BEGIN Program has been explicitly designed to support only those individuals who agree to provide one year of service/work in either the HCC or LTC sectors for every year, or portion of a year, for which BEGIN funding was received.
If I enter the BEGIN Program do I always have to work in the HCC or LTC sectors in the future?
No. After a BEGIN participant has graduated from an accredited program and provided the appropriate RoS in the HCC or LTC sectors, they are free to work anywhere.
If I receive BEGIN funding for 3 years, how many years of RoS must I provide?
You will be required to provide 3 years of RoS. One year of RoS for every year, or portion of a year, for which BEGIN support was provided.
You will be required to provide 1 year of RoS. One year of RoS is required for every year, or portion of a year, for which BEGIN support is provided.
Failure to complete an RoS agreement will require full repayment any BEGIN support provided.
I am entering a multi-year bridging program do I have to apply again each year?
No. Whether you are an RPN or a PSW once you are accepted in the BEGIN program, you may choose to remain in the program for the duration of your education, you do not need apply each year.
BEGIN is a tuition reimbursement program supporting nursing education, it is not a stand-alone nursing education program. All BEGIN applicants must currently be enrolled in an accredited nursing program to be eligible for the BEGIN program support and applicants will be required to submit proof of having paid tuition fees.
I am planning to enroll in a bridging program. Am I eligible to apply for the BEGIN program?
All applicants must be enrolled in an accredited nursing program when they apply to BEGIN in order to be eligible and must submit proof of having paid tuition fees.
The BEGIN program is expected to be in place until the end of the 2024/25 fiscal year (March 31, 2025).
Do I need to be working in LTC or HCC to apply for the BEGIN program?
You do not need to be working in LTC or HCC to apply for the BEGIN program. However, you will be required to complete a Return of Service with an Ontario Long Term Care or Home & Community Care employer when you graduate.
Does BEGIN cover the cost of NCLEX exams?
No, however, all BEGIN applicants will have access to a no-cost, online NCLEX exam preparation course through the U of T Centre for Professional Development.
I am entering a multi-year nursing program. Do I need to reapply to BEGIN every year?
Once you are accepted into the BEGIN program, you do not need to reapply. However, BEGIN is a tuition reimbursement program and you will be required to submit proof of tuition payment each year during your nursing program.
Starting April 1, 2022 all applicants must be enrolled in an Ontario college or university.
How long do I have to start my ROS?
You have 12 months to find and begin a Return of Service position in the Ontario Long Term Care or Home & Community Care sectors. Failure to start your RoS within 12 months may make any funds you received through BEGIN repayable.
What if I am unable to complete my ROS?
If you do not complete your Return of Service in an Ontario Long Term Care or Home & Community Care employer, your BEGIN funding becomes repayable.
No. To be eligible for the BEGIN program you must be enrolled in an accredited nursing program in a Canadian university or college, be a Canadian citizen, or permanent resident/landed immigrant and be an Ontario resident.
If you received three years of BEGIN funding and do not complete all 3 years of your Return of Service (ROS) in the Ontario Long Term Care or Home & Community Care sectors, the remaining years become repayable on a pro-rated basis. For example, if you have a 3-year ROS and only complete 1 year, then 2 years of BEGIN funding becomes repayable.
Wraparound Support
Registered Practical Nurses (RPNs) and Personal Support Workers (PSWs) who have been accepted into an accredited RPN-RN and PSW-RPN bridging program, and the BEGIN program, are eligible to apply.
What level of support is available through the WrapAround Supports component of the (BEGIN) Program?
The WrapAround Supports component of the (BEGIN) Program provides up to $5,000.00 to RPNs and PSWs who have been accepted into the BEGIN program and who have demonstrated a need for support with non-tuition costs such as dependent care, tutoring, books, travel, etc.
Can I apply for WrapAround Supports before I apply to the BEGIN program?
No, you must be enrolled in an accredited RPN-RN and PSW-RPN bridging program and have been accepted into the BEGIN program before you can apply for the WrapAround Supports.
Can I apply for WrapAround Supports if I have already started an educational program?
Yes, if you are already enrolled in an accredited bridging program and accepted into BEGIN you can apply for WrapAround Supports, even if you are just a few months from graduation.
Are WrapAround Supports available to participants over multiple years?
WrapAround Supports are awarded on a yearly basis. BEGIN participants may apply for WrapAround Supports each year, or portion of a year, they are enrolled in an accredited bridging program and accepted into the BEGIN program.
If I applied to the Nursing Education Initiative (NEI) can I still apply for WrapAround Supports?
Yes, any RPN who has been accepted into an accredited bridging program and been accepted into the BEGIN program may apply for WrapAround Supports even if they have already applied to NEI.
I only have 6 months left in my bridging program, can I apply for WrapAround Supports?
Yes, even with only 6 months left in your program you can apply for WrapAround Supports, if you have been accepted into the BEGIN Program.
If I fail to complete an accredited program, will I have to pay the WrapAround Supports money back?
Yes, the WrapAround support provided through the BEGIN Program must be paid back if you fail or leave the program without graduating.
If I receive WrapAround Supports will I have to commit to more RoS?
No, you will not be required to provide additional RoS as a result of receiving WrapAround Supports. Each participant is required to provide one year of RoS for every year, or portion of a year, for which BEGIN support (including WrapAround Support) is provided.
Failure to complete an RoS agreement will require full repayment any BEGIN support (including WrapAround Support) provided.
Yes. Whether you are an RPN or a PSW once you are accepted into the BEGIN program you have to apply for WrapAround Supports on a yearly basis.
Where can I learn more about other career opportunities in the Long-Term Care sector?
Visit ontario.ca/ltccareers (ontario.ca/sldcarrieres) to learn about bridging programs, educational opportunities, and financial supports for those interested in building a career in the long-term care sector.
Could receiving BEGIN and/or WrapAround Supports affect social assistance that I am receiving?
If you are interested in applying for the BEGIN program and have questions about how your social assistance may be impacted, you should contact your Ontario Works or ODSP caseworker.
Could receiving BEGIN and/or WrapAround Supports affect OSAP or other financial aid I am receiving?
Accessing the BEGIN program may result in reduced financial assistance and a requirement to repay funding received from other financial support programs. If you have questions on how your OSAP funding may be impacted, or on what information you may need to provide to OSAP if you are approved for BEGIN supports, you should contact the financial aid office at your postsecondary institution.
The BEGIN Program is a partnership between
