“We’re moving forward with the most ambitious reform of student financial assistance in North America because our government believes that a person’s ability to access postsecondary education should be based on their ability to learn, and not on their ability to pay. The new OSAP will provide over 150,000 students across the province with free average tuition.”
These are the words of Deb Matthews, Deputy Premier, Minister of Advanced Education and Skills Development and Minister Responsible for Digital Government quoted in a press release from the Ontario Government.
Students applying to college and university for September 2017 will be the first to benefit from the new Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) which promises grants (monies not to be paid back) of up to $50,000 to qualified families.
The Ontario Givernment's website informs that starting in the 2017-18 school year, you can receive up to $13,260, if you are a full-time single student or $22,440, if you are a married student or sole-support parent.
In addition it explains that OSAP will give you enough grants to cover the average cost of tuition if (a) your parents earn $50,000 or less per year (b) you’re going to study full-time (c) you’re attending a publicly assisted college or university, and (d) you meet the eligibility requirements for OSAP.
Many students, the website explains, from middle-income families will receive grants that exceed the value of their tuition. Further, Some students who meet these requirements may not get free tuition, including students who (a) have enough money to cover their tuition (e.g. savings, RESPs or scholarships) or (b) have already received their lifetime limit for the Ontario Tuition Grant.
Mature students, described as students who finished high school four or more years ago, can qualify for more grants to go back to school and upgrade their skills.
The Government press release notes that more Ontario students are now graduating from post secondary programs than ever before, but that some people hesitate to apply for college or university because they worry about the cost. "The new OSAP will help more students seek an advanced education, regardless of their family's income," the release states.
"Expanding access to college and university is part of the government’s plan to create jobs, grow the economy and help people in their everyday lives," the release continues.