Ontario Provides Free Tuition for Eligible Students in York Region
York Region MPPs Reza Moridi, Steven Del Duca, Chris Ballard, Michael Chan and Dr. Helena Jaczek are pleased to announce that Ontario is making college and university more affordable for students and families in York Region, and across the province, by making tuition free for over 150,000 students.
Today, MPP Reza Moridi met with community members at the GTAFA Learning Centre to talk about how the province is transforming the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP). The new OSAP will make average tuition free for students whose families make less than $50,000 a year. Students from families that earn more will also benefit from more generous grants and loans, and about 80 per cent of all OSAP recipients will graduate with less provincial debt.
More Ontario students are now graduating from postsecondary programs than ever before, but 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.
By entering basic information at Ontario.ca/osap, in just a few clicks students will learn whether they qualify for free tuition and how much aid they could receive from the new OSAP. Expanding access to college and university is part of our government’s plan to create jobs, grow our economy and help people in their everyday lives.
QUOTES
“We are leveling the playing field so more students from Richmond Hill can go on to college or university regardless of their financial backgrounds. The new OSAP will build a more fair society by expanding access to education to help all people in Ontario — providing them with the skills they need for the jobs of tomorrow and building up Ontario’s economy.” — Reza Moridi, M.P.P., Richmond Hill
“I am pleased that our government has made access to postsecondary education about the ability to learn and not about the ability to pay. This funding will mean more students in York Region can go on to college or university and build the skills they need in order to successfully enter the workforce, without having to worry about how they will pay or having restricting debt after finishing up their studies.” — Dr. Helena Jaczek, M.P.P., Oak Ridges-Markham
“Markham is home to an educated and skilled workforce that helps place our province on the map as a highly competitive destination to do business, invest and create jobs. By eliminating and reducing the financial burden faced by many students, our government is investing in Ontario’s future – as the proud home of a talented workforce that can compete and succeed in the careers of tomorrow.” — Michael Chan, M.P.P., Markham-Unionville
“I am proud to be part of a government that understand the value of postsecondary education and is helping families and individuals by removing barriers. Students will now be able to focus on their education and not on the debt that they will incur. The new OSAP is part of the government’s promise to grow the economy and build Ontario up.” — Chris Ballard, M.P.P., Newmarket-Aurora
“The new OSAP will allow students in York Region and across Ontario to go to college or university regardless of their financial background. If your family income falls under $50,000, tuition is free. Even if your family earns more, the new OSAP is still there to help with generous grants that will make colleges and universities much more affordable. We understand that parents work hard to give their children better and broader opportunities - we want to help you. The new OSAP will expand access to education and provide people with the skills they need for the jobs of tomorrow.” — Steven Del Duca, M.P.P., Vaughan
“I am pleased with the government’s decision to provide this financial opportunity so that more students will be able to advance their education. This will mean a lot to so many families and communities as it will reduce the financial and emotional stress that we often see. The new OSAP will be welcomed by many of the families that we see in York Region.” — Michelle Meredith, Director of Education - GTAFA Learning Centre
“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.” — Deb Matthews, Deputy Premier, Minister of Advanced Education and Skills Development and Minister Responsible for Digital Government
QUICK FACTS
Students applying to college and university for September 2017 will be the first to benefit from the new OSAP.
The new OSAP will allow mature students to qualify for more grants so they can go back to school to upgrade their skills.
If you are a single parent, have three children and earn $60,000 a year, for example, the new OSAP calculator will tell you that you are eligible for over $16,000 of non-repayable aid, making average university tuition free with money left over for books and fees.
Ontario will work closely with colleges and universities in the Greater Toronto Area to ensure that families clearly see upfront the difference between the sticker price for tuition and what students would need to pay.
In 2014-15, Ontario issued almost $1.3 billion in grants and loans to students.