Province Supports Trent Nursing Students to Train Here, Stay Here

Ontario Learn and Stay Grant expansion removes cost barriers for Trent Nursing students and strengthens the region's nursing workforce.

Students in the Trent/Fleming School of Nursing (TFSON) can now complete their education with tuition support through the Ontario Learn and Stay Grant (OLSG), with a clear path to careers in the communities in which they trained.

The expansion of the OLSG to include the Trent/Fleming School of Nursing applies to students who began in 2023–24 or later across the School's collaborative and compressed Bachelor of Science in Nursing programs. Students enrolled in Trent's Master of Science in Nursing program are also eligible for funding for the 2026-27 academic year. The grant covers tuition, fees, books, and other direct costs. In return, graduates commit to working in the Eastern Ontario region after completing their studies, helping address local workforce needs.

Leaders emphasize lowering barriers and strengthening the workforce

“The inclusion of the Trent-Fleming School of Nursing in the Ontario Learn and Stay grant program allows us to advance two complimentary needs. First, this program reduces financial barriers for talented Trent-Fleming nursing students to complete their education. Second, the Learn and Stay will support a large under-served region of Ontario with additional health-care professionals who stay and work in the area,' said Dr. Cathy Bruce, president and vice-chancellor of Trent University.

“This grant applies to an important geography of Ontario that is comprised of both urban and rural regions with a catchment of thousands of families in south-eastern Ontario.'

Serving eastern Ontario communities

The Ontario Learn and Stay Grant supports students in high-demand professional health programs while encouraging them to stay and work in the region. The province's expansion to include TFSON nursing programs will specifically support communities in the Lakelands Public Health Unit, including Peterborough, the Kawarthas, Haliburton, and Northumberland. After completing their studies, recipients of the grant commit to completing up to 24 months of service in the Eastern region.

Province highlights a “train and stay' approach

“Our government is taking historic steps in building our homegrown health-care workforce that train, stay, and build their careers in the communities that need them most,' said Nolan Quinn, Minister of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security, who hosted the announcement at Trent on May 5. “By expanding the Ontario Learn and Stay Grant to Peterborough and the surrounding communities, we are removing financial barriers for students and supporting future nurses who will connect more people to care in eastern Ontario."

Clinical learning and regional impact

The announcement reflects Trent's efforts to support the region and is recognition of the role the University and our students play in advancing health care solutions. Through the TFSON, students gain clinical experience across hospitals and community settings, preparing to step into in-demand roles across the sector.

Local support for the expansion

“Today's expansion of the Ontario Learn and Stay Grant is a monumental win for not just the City and County of Peterborough, but also for healthcare from Haliburton to Northumberland and everywhere in between,' said Dave Smith ‘91, MPP for Peterborough-Kawartha. “By including nursing programs at both Trent University and Fleming College, we are making it possible for local students to pursue their dreams without the burden of tuition debt, provided they commit to serving our rural communities upon graduation.'