Tuition Assistance Program (TAP)
At Playmakers!, we believe that financial circumstances should never be a barrier to creative growth. As a registered charity, we are committed to making theatre education accessible to every young person in Stratford and the surrounding area.
Please review the two options below to see which path fits your family's situation best.
Path A: City of Stratford Funding
This is the recommended first step for families on an active Ontario Works (OW) or Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) file. Because this funding comes directly from social services, it provides the most significant support for your family.
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The Benefit: Up to $500 per year per child under 18 to help cover the costs of sports and leisure activities, including Playmakers! programs.
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How it Works: We will invoice you at the regular price. The city provides the $500 funding, and you can pay any remaining balance on a manageable 3-month installment plan.
How to Apply:
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Contact the Social Services office at 519-271-3773 ext. 200 or speak to your OW/ODSP caseworker to confirm your eligibility.
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Once that is confirmed, please email us at info@play.makers.ca to let us know you are applying for this funding.
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We will send you the required invoice to submit to your caseworker.
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When you receive the $500 from the City, contact us and we will arrange the deposit and a payment plan for the remaining fee.
Path B: Playmakers! 33% Program
If city funding is unavailable, has already been capped for the year, or you have already utilized it for another activity, you can apply for our internal Tuition Assistance Program for the Young Actors’ Guild program (Apprentice, Journeyman, Master). This program provides a 33% reduction in tuition portion of your fees, with the remaining balance payable in full or through an installment plan.
Eligibility & Document Upload
To qualify for this internal program, families must currently be receiving some form of income assistance. During the registration process, you will be asked to upload a digital copy (photo or PDF) of one of the following:
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A recent statement from Ontario Works (OW).
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A recent statement from the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP).
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Any other official document confirming your current receipt of income assistance.
Next Steps:
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Apply during Registration: Select the "Apply for Tuition Assistance" option on the Young Actors' Guild registration form.
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Verification: Our team will review your uploaded documents and confirm eligibility.
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Confirmation & Payment: Once approved, you will receive an email confirming your 33% tuition reduction along with a customized installment schedule. We accept payment via credit, Visa/Debit, or PayPal.
Our Privacy Promise
Your privacy is our priority. All documents submitted for Path B are held in the strictest confidence, viewed only by our administrative lead for the purpose of verification, and stored securely.
Strengthening Our Community
The ability to provide tuition assistance is made possible by the generous contributions of the Playmakers! community.
If your family has a special skill to share or the capacity to help with our fundraising initiatives, please let us know! Every contribution—whether through time or talent—helps us keep our programs accessible for everyone.
Questions? We are here to help. Please reach out to us at info@play.makers.ca