Doug Ford is defending sweeping changes to Ontario’s student financial aid program, saying the current system is no longer financially sustainable.
Starting this fall, the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) will shift toward providing more loans and fewer grants, meaning students will receive a maximum of 25 per cent of their funding as non-repayable grants.
He spoke about this on Tuesday with reporters.
The changes come alongside a $6.4 billion funding boost for colleges and universities over four years and the end of a seven-year tuition freeze.
Institutions will now be allowed to raise tuition by up to two per cent annually for the next three years, with future increases capped at either two per cent or the inflation rate.
Ford said the province is facing a $2.5 billion shortfall in post-secondary funding and has been under pressure from university leaders to lift the tuition freeze.
He also spoke about concerns he shared with students who were calling him.
Student groups argue the changes will push more young people into debt and force others out of post-secondary education altogether.
Several student unions are now considering coordinated protests at Queen’s Park.
The sector has already been hit hard by declining international student enrolment, leading Ontario colleges to cut more than $1.4 billion in costs, suspend hundreds of programs and lay off thousands of staff.
While colleges and universities welcome the new funding, students say affordability remains their biggest concern.
Written by: Matt LeBlanc
