Credits for Prior Learning

Mature students may be able to receive credit for courses and training programs completed outside secondary school.

Who is a Mature Student?

A mature student is a someone who:

• is at least 18 years old
• has not attended a day school for at least one year
• is enrolled in a secondary school credit program for the purpose of obtaining an OSSD (such as the ILC)

Two Routes to Credit

For mature students, the process used to earn maturity or equivalent credits depends on when you first enrolled in high school.

Did you… Start high school in Ontario before September 1, 1999? Enrol in an Ontario secondary school as an adult (18+) before February 1, 2004?	Did you… Start high school in Ontario after September 1, 1999? First enrol in an Ontario secondary school after February 1, 2004?
If yes, you may be eligible for Maturity and Equivalent Credits	If yes, you may be eligible for Prior Learning Assessment (PLAR) for Mature Students

Maturity and Equivalent Credits

Who can participate in this process?

You can participate if you started high school in Ontario before September 1, 1999 or entered as an adult into the Ontario system before February 1, 2004.

How many maturity credits can I earn?

You may be recommended for up to 12 maturity credits.

How do I earn equivalent credits?

Mature students may be able to receive equivalent credit allowances for certain courses and training programs outside secondary school. For example,

• successful completion of courses not usually considered secondary school subjects (this could be certification or designation in a specific program that required a minimum of 110 hours of instruction or training)
• successful completion of each period of an apprenticeship program (for example, electrician, hairdresser, or mechanic)

Can I earn my diploma with maturity or equivalent credits?

No, a mature student must still complete a minimum of four Grade 11 or Grade 12 credits after becoming a mature student. These credits must include senior English. ILC's assessment will tell you exactly how many more credits you need.

MATURE PLAR (MPLAR)

Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) is the formal evaluation and credit granting process whereby students may obtain credits for prior learning. Prior learning includes the knowledge and skills that students have acquired, in both formal and informal ways, outside secondary school. Students may have their knowledge and skills evaluated against the expectations outlined in provincial curriculum policy documents in order to earn credits towards the secondary school diploma. All credits granted through the PLAR process must represent the same standards of achievement as credits granted to students who have taken the courses.

Request for MPLAR Assessment

NOTE: The ILC only offers MPLAR assessments for grade 11 and 12 equivalency credits.

Who may apply: Mature students who are 18 years of age and older and have not been enrolled in a regular day school program for at least a one year period.

• You may ask for an assessment of your diploma requirements after you have successfully completed one course with the ILC.
• At that time, we will send you the MPLAR application package that describes the documents you will need to present.

Cost for the MPLAR assessment is $100.00. The fee for this service must be paid by certified cheque, money order, or credit card.

Need Advice?

If you need advice about diploma requirements or choosing courses, please contact ILC Learner Services.