New Provincial Funding Plan Leaves Students Carrying More Debt
WUSA’s Statement on the OSAP Cuts
March 2, 2026 – Vote Results
From February 27 to March 2, Waterloo undergraduate students voted “Yes” or “No” to “Do you support WUSA organizing a student strike on March 4th to demand the reversal of the recent 71% cut to OSAP grants?”.
Results
Total voters: 3536 (10.3% of eligible voters)
Yes votes: 3334 (94%)
No votes: 189 (5%)
Declined ballots: 13
Based on these results, we are proud to work alongside students to organize a student strike and rally on March 4 at 11:00 AM on the Arts Quad (outside Dana Porter Library).
Students are asking you to walk out from classes, meetings, and other commitments to stand together and send a clear message to the provincial government: Ontario students deserve better.
Get Involved
Join us to prepare for the rally by making signs. We’ll provide the supplies – you just need to bring your best ideas and creativity!
- Tonight (March 2), 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM
- Tomorrow (March 3), 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Location: SLC Lower Flex Space
Spread the Word
Download our social graphics and share on your socials to help us spread the word! You can find the links here.
February 24, 2026 – Update
On February 23, WUSA’s Board of Directors unanimously approved holding a student vote to determine whether WUSA should organize a student strike on March 4 in response to the recent cuts to OSAP grants.
From 12:00 a.m. on February 27 to 4:00 p.m. on March 2, you can log in to vote.wusa.ca using your WatIAM credentials to vote “Yes” or “No” to “Do you support WUSA organizing a student strike on March 4th to demand the reversal of the recent 71% cut to OSAP grants?”.
If students want their voices heard, we will be hosting a rally to protest the cuts to OSAP grants at the Arts Quad (between Dana Porter Library and the Arts Lecture Hall) on March 4 at 11:00 a.m. We encourage all students to come out and stand against these cuts!
You can continue to share how these cuts will affect you by emailing pres@wusa.ca.
February 14, 2026
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 major cuts to OSAP grants.
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
WUSA has been speaking out on your behalf in the news. Read more:
Published: Tuesday, February 24, 2026