Maya Tilley had organized her year around beginning a new college program.
However, when she showed up at Marca College in Hamilton for orientation, she and about a dozen other students were sent home because their Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) funding hadn’t been approved by the provincial government.
“I really set up my year around this program and around graduating at the time that I’d like to,” said Tilley, a Hamilton student entering her third year of post-secondary education after finishing at Niagara College.
Now, she’s unsure when she’ll be able to return to class.
I can’t afford to pay that tuition without it. I don’t have that much extra just, you know, lying around to pay for it.- Maya Tilley, Marca College student
“I’ve used it two years in the past, I’ve had no issues with it,” Tilley told . “However, this year when I applied for OSAP I knew I wasn’t going to get any grants.”
Tilley mentioned she comes from a single-parent household and relied heavily on grants and loans for her education.
She expected her OSAP funding this year would cover the roughly $17,000 needed for tuition and supplies for the one-year program at the private college.
“I can’t afford to pay that tuition without it,” she said. “I don’t have that much extra just, you know, lying around to pay for it.”
On the first day of orientation on Monday, students using OSAP stayed in class while those covering their own tuition went on a tour, Tilley shared.
“They let us know that they weren’t sure when or if our OSAP was going to come in and they haven’t received much information,” she stated.
Students who couldn’t afford payment were unable to start their programs.
“So there’s about a dozen of us who left,” Tilley said. “And none of us are sure when we can return [or] if we can return.”
An email sent late Friday confirmed that “OSAP program approvals for the 2026-2027 academic year are currently awaiting renewal by the provincial government.”
The email explained “Marca College met with all affected students and shared the information we received from the Ministry. We also discussed alternative payment options with students who wished to begin their programs sooner. Students were advised that we would contact them as soon as we received further information from the Ministry.”
WATCH | How the new OSAP changes impact students:
OSAP changes are in effect. Here’s how students are being impacted
Changes to OSAP are now taking place, reducing how many provincial grants students will qualify for. Students throughout Ontario are receiving their estimates for the school year. CBC’s Mercedes Gaztambide spoke with some students facing unexpected tuition costs.
‘Even with the payment plan, I would still need my OSAP,’ student says
The uncertainty has been especially frustrating since Tilley mentioned she repeatedly reached out to both OSAP and her school’s financial aid office before classes started.
“Every time I’m just told to speak to my school’s financial aid,” she noted. “And then when I talk with financial aid, they let us know they really have no information from OSAP offices.”
Tilley typically receives notification about her funding being released in mid-to-late August. This year’s delay made her more anxious but she kept hoping that eventually she’d receive it.
“It didn’t seem like I wasn’t going to receive my funding until yesterday when they sent us home,” she recalled. “It seemed like it just might be delayed.”
The college has provided payment plans and other options according to her but those solutions do not address her main concern.
“Even with the payment plan, I would still need my OSAP,” Tilley stated.
The deposit alone is roughly equal to a semester’s tuition at a public college according to her calculations.
“It’s just not something that most people using OSAP can manage,” she added.
“OSAP has been very helpful for me over these past two years while I’ve used it,” she expressed. “I wouldn’t have been able to afford my education without it.”
There’s no information available at all.- Maya Tilley, Marca College student
The uncertainty now threatens more than just kicking off her school year.
“If it does come in late, obviously I’d rather not graduate later than planned,” she explained. “But I’d also like clarity on how long after graduation I’d need wait before completing this program.”
Tilley remarked that lacking clear communication has been nearly as tough as facing delays themselves.
“If they could let us know whether funds will be released or when or give any type of information about anything,” she said; “because there’s no information available at all.”
reached out Tuesday morning regarding Ontario’s Colleges and Universities department asking them about this situation; they promised a statement but none arrived by publication time.
NDP Criticizes Government Over Delay in Funding
In a Tuesday statement from Ontario NDP MPP Peggy Sattler-the party’s shadow minister overseeing colleges-she indicated students across Ontario continue waiting on funding even though classes have begun.
“Students did everything they were supposed do but now they’re having deal with consequences resulting from Ford government’s failure deliver funding promptly.” Sattler noted.
Sattler emphasized rising costs related textbooks lab kits technology groceries gas which burdening many while awaiting funds.
Some even found themselves unable acquire materials essential coursework risking academic success through fault own.” Sattler added.
Sattler lambasted prior reductions seen within system imposing more debts upon learners stating,
“Pupils shouldn’t suffer due lack organization within government.” She called immediate release remaining funds required corrective action addressing administrative failures preventing recurrence similar instances future occasions.”
Tilley’s only wish is knowing precisely when she’ll resume attending classes again.
“I truly planned my entire year centered around this program.” She expressed sadly.
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