Students attending post-secondary institutions in Ontario are expressing their frustration over the government’s choice to cut financial assistance grants while removing a long-standing freeze on tuition fees, which they believe will increase the debt burden for those already facing financial challenges.
Last week, the government announced it would reduce the share of grants provided through the Ontario Student Assistance Program from around 85 percent of funding down to a maximum of 25 percent this fall, with the remainder being student loans. Additionally, Ontario is ending a seven-year tuition fee freeze, allowing colleges and universities to raise fees by up to two percent annually for three years.
Alex Stratas from the University of Ottawa’s student union mentioned that these changes in OSAP are devastating for students who depend on these grants to cover essentials like food, housing, and tuition costs.
Barrie’s News Delivered To Your Inbox
Stay informed about what’s happening in Barrie. Get daily updates on local news sent straight to your inbox. Don’t miss out on important events..
Consent Info
By submitting this form, you agree to receive marketing emails from: Central Ontario Broadcasting, 431 Huronia Rd, Barrie, Ontario, CA, https://www. cobroadcasting. com. You can unsubscribe at any time using the Safe Unsubscribe® link found at the bottom of each email. Emails are managed by Constant Contact
“This is a genuine threat to Ontario’s future, and this is a message from the Ford government that they don’t care about students,” she said.
Colleges and Universities Minister Nolan Quinn stated that demand for OSAP has been rising significantly and described this growth as unsustainable. He asserted that these changes will promote “sustainability and balance for the system,” ensuring access to OSAP for future generations.
However, Stratas-who studies political science and communications-said she and many others would struggle to afford their education without OSAP grants because they lack sufficient family support.
“This is the reality that students are facing,” she said. “We’re seeing a cost-of-living crisis; they can’t find affordable housing; transit services are often down; so getting around isn’t easy. Groceries keep getting pricier, and now school will be even harder to pay for. It’s really a question of what more this provincial government intends to take from students?”
Stratas indicated that students plan to protest against these changes.
“We’ve been coordinating with student unions across.. the province to organize a day of action where we all go protest at Queen’s Park,” she said.
Husam Morra, president of University of Windsor Students’ Alliance, noted that students are already grappling with an affordability crisis and believes these adjustments will make education less accessible. The fourth-year computer science major mentioned that graduates will also feel repercussions as they’ll have larger loan repayments.
“When you’re looking at an affordability crisis-it’s linked with many things like transportation, housing costs, groceries-alongside job market challenges,” he said. “Combining all these factors means it’ll definitely be tougher for students when it’s time to pay back loans after graduation.”
The government’s announced changes came with an additional $6.4 billion earmarked for post-secondary institutions over four years following a funding formula review due to requests from financially strained colleges and universities.
Ontario’s universities and colleges have long dealt with low levels of government funding while experiencing stagnant tuition rates since 2019 alongside significant declines in international student enrollment-which typically brings in higher fees than domestic rates.
Colleges particularly leaned more on revenue generated by international student tuition after government cuts reduced fees by ten percent followed by freezing them at that level seven years ago.
Aidan Kallioinen from Carleton University Students’ Association expressed his relief about stable funding being recognized but voiced concerns regarding grant reductions impacting students negatively.
“We know over two-thirds of students in Ontario rely on OSAP in some capacity; financial aid plays a crucial role when choosing where someone pursues their education,” he said.
“Many graduates struggle with long-term debt issues as it is; making loan structures less generous is certainly going to decrease their financial stability once they leave university.”
🎧 Local news stories that matter most to you
Subscribe on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts so you’re notified when new episodes release daily.
Kallioinen mentioned new incoming students will face different funding packages than those nearing graduation creating “an imbalance.”
This situation could also negatively impact both Ontario’s economy as well as post-secondary enrollment numbers according to him.
“There’s real concern this makes education unattainable especially for low- and middle-income families who may not be able financially handle such debt loads,” he stated. “If fewer Ontarians pursue post-secondary degrees we risk shortages across essential job sectors while universities might struggle maintaining consistent enrollment.”
This report by The Canadian Press was first Feb. 16 , 2026.
What do you think about this article ?
Source link
Source link
