New Provincial Funding Plan Leaves Students Carrying More Debt

WUSA’s Statement on the OSAP Cuts

A recent announcement by the provincial government introduced sweeping changes to post-secondary educational funding, affecting both institutions and students. The changes include the removal of the tuition freeze and increased base funding to universities and colleges. Most significantly for students, it also includes the second major cuts to OSAP grants since 2019. 

Under these changes to OSAP, the maximum proportion of funding students can receive as non-repayable grants will decrease from 85% to only 25%, with the remaining provided as repayable loans. Touted as “strengthening the long-term sustainability of OSAP”, the government is shifting their financial burden onto students, forcing students to shoulder more debt to access education. 

Also included in the announcement is the end of the longstanding tuition freeze. Instead, tuition increases will be capped at 2%. Alongside the tuition cap, Ontario universities will find themselves aided by $6.4 billion in additional funding over four years, including increases to baseline operating funding. These changes are a step forward in addressing the massive deficits universities have been subject to.  

Though we were glad to see positive developments in university funding, we are deeply disappointed that these steps are overshadowed by massive losses to student funding. 

To the Ministry of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security (MCURES) and MPPs: we are calling for an immediate reversal of these cuts to OSAP. WUSA will be continuing our advocacy alongside OUSA, as well as pursuing any avenues we can find to make a difference for students. 

We want to hear about how these changes will be affecting you. If you’d like to share your story, email us at pres@wusa.ca. Your stories go a long way in making sure the province understands the real impacts of these decisions. 

Damian Mikhail
WUSA President