NEWS RELEASE
September 9th, 2026
OUSA Publishes Issue 20 of Educated Solutions:
Reimagining Post-Secondary Affordability
TORONTO – The Ontario Undergraduate Student Alliance (OUSA) has released the 20th edition of its annual publication, Educated Solutions, titled “Reimagining Post-Secondary Affordability.” This year’s edition brings together perspectives from students, student associations, faculty, and post-secondary sector organizations to examine the evolving costs of pursuing higher education in Ontario. The articles explore solutions designed to make post-secondary education more affordable, accessible, and sustainable.
“As the new school year begins, critical conversations about the accessibility of post-secondary education are integral to creating innovative and effective solutions for students and institutions alike,” said Rory Norris, President of OUSA and the Vice President of Government and Stakeholder Relations at the Waterloo Undergraduate Student Association. “The post-secondary sector is navigating an evolving policy landscape, and all stakeholders must work together to ensure that current and prospective students have access to the quality education Ontario has to offer.”
Recent changes to tuition and student financial aid have sparked conversations throughout the sector about the affordability of post-secondary education in the province. These are timely conversations as students head into the 2026-2027 school year with a level of uncertainty surrounding their ability to navigate rising housing, tuition, and food prices amidst cuts to student financial aid. Like previous editions of Educated Solutions, this volume gives stakeholders across the sector a platform to share thoughtful, evidence-based solutions. The writers provide a holistic overview of the costs of post-secondary education and the importance of supporting students' needs.
This year’s contributors all share a common message: that students need equitable access to adequate financial assistance. “Given the pressing need to ensure the affordability and accessibility of post-secondary education in Ontario during a time when the province is prioritizing the sustainability of the sector, OUSA was presented with the opportunity to engage with our partners, allowing them to provide thoughtful and innovative ways to ensure post-secondary student success and retention for years to come,” said Alyssa Hall, Manager of Research and Policy.
Each year, Educated Solutions invites post-secondary stakeholders across Ontario to contribute their thoughts, opinions, and insights on issues affecting Ontario’s post-secondary education system. OUSA is grateful to centre the student voice in this year's edition and hopes that these insights offer post-secondary sector leaders and partners inventive ways to shape the future of post-secondary education in Ontario
"We are proud to continue to foster necessary dialogue between sector stakeholders and student voices to explore the implications of tuition policy and financial aid on accessibility and student success," said Abishane Suthakaran, Manager of Research and Policy at OUSA. "We hope these insights will generate meaningful collaboration and inspire innovative, evidence-based solutions to create a more equitable, affordable, and high-quality post-secondary system in Ontario.”
Issue 20 of Educated Solutions is available to read here.
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About: OUSA represents the interests of 160,000 professional and undergraduate, full-time and part-time university students at nine student associations across Ontario. Our vision is for an accessible, affordable, accountable, high-quality, and equitable post-secondary education in Ontario.
Media Contact:
Tobi Olumurewa
Manager of Communications
Ontario Undergraduate Student Alliance