Student Financial Aid
Students deserve equitable access to robust financial aid. The Ontario Student Assistance Program aims to provide students with adequate financial support for post-secondary education. However, since the 2019 changes, students have faced difficulties in financing their education. The changes to income requirements for grants and loans reduced the number of students eligible for robust funding partway through their degrees, and the increased parental contribution further deepened the financial strain on families. The improvements to financial aid policies have been stagnant for the past six years, and OSAP funding levels have yet to recover from the $400 million clawbacks in 2020. As the cost of living continues to rise, it is integral that students have access to equitably distributed, needs-based financial aid. Through this paper, OUSA aims to advocate for a more comprehensive student financial aid system that provides more students with greater financial assistance, more transparent policies, and keeps pace with the realities of post-secondary education.