ONTARIO STUDENTS TAKE TO THE STREETS OVER OSAP CHANGES

Something big is happening in Ontario’s education system, and students are not keeping quiet.

The provincial government has announced major changes to the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP), shifting funding from mostly grants (money students don’t repay) to mostly loans (money they must repay).

Under the new structure introduced by Premier Doug Ford’s government, students could receive up to 75% of their support as loans and only 25% as grants.

For many students, this feels like a heavy burden.
Thousands gathered at Queen’s Park, organized by the Canadian Federation of Students–Ontario, demanding:
• More grants, fewer loans
• No interest on student debt
• Protection against tuition hikes

On campuses like the University of Waterloo, students even voted to walk out of classes in protest.

Why students are upset:
Education is already expensive. With rent, groceries, transportation, and rising living costs, many young people fear graduating with overwhelming debt.
They argue that shifting from grants to loans could:
• Make post-secondary education less accessible
• Increase financial stress
• Push students into long-term debt before they even start their careers

The government says the changes are about financial sustainability. Students say it’s about fairness and access.

Now the big question is, do you think education funding should focus more on grants or loans?
Will this change discourage low-income students from pursuing higher education? Let’s talk. Your voice matters.
#CanadaEducation #OSAP #StudentVoices
#EducationMatters #CanadaStudents