Students disappointed by Ontario’s cuts to OSAP grants, tuition freeze lift
OSAP grant funding drops from 85% to 25%, converting the remainder to loans; tuition may rise 2% annually for three years with $6.4 billion added to post-secondary funding.
- The province announced a post-secondary funding package on Feb. 16, 2026, including a $6.4 billion commitment following a funding‑formula review.
- The Ontario Student Assistance Program will cut grants from about 85 per cent to a maximum of 25 per cent and end a seven-year tuition freeze allowing up to 2% annual increases for three years.
- Post-Secondary students in Ontario say cuts to grants and ending the tuition freeze will increase debt, while Husam Morra and Alex Stratas warn these OSAP changes threaten food, housing, and tuition access.
- Tuition flexibility will allow colleges and universities to raise domestic tuition by up to 2% annually for three years, while colleges relied increasingly on international student tuition after a 10% cut and seven-year freeze.
- Observers note the shift from grants to loans will alter affordability and increase student borrowing pressures across Ontario amid long‑running low funding and fewer international students.
36 Articles
36 Articles
Premier Ford suggests some students taking advantage of OSAP as he defends cuts to government grants
Premier Doug Ford said he has been fielding thousands of calls from concerned students since his government announced they would be changing the structure of the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP). The changes include shifting OSAP to a loan-heavy model that caps grants at 25 per cent down from the current 85 per cent. “I’ll […]
Ford tells students to not pick 'basket-weaving courses' in wake of OSAP cuts
Premier Doug Ford had choice words for students expressing concerns over cuts to OSAP grants Tuesday, telling them to "not pick basket-weaving courses" and to invest in education that gives students in-demand jobs.
Ont. premier tells students to not pick 'basket-weaving courses' in wake of loan program cuts
Premier Doug Ford had choice words for students expressing concerns over cuts to OSAP grants Tuesday, telling them to 'not pick basket-weaving courses' and to invest in education that gives students in-demand jobs.
Doug Ford defends decision to cut post-secondary student grants
TORONTO - Ontario Premier Doug Ford is defending his government's decision to cut back on the amount of financial assistance for post-secondary students.
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