Since the January launch of the 30% Off Ontario Tuition grant, 200,000 post-secondary students have received money back to help offset their tuition costs, according to a news release.
Good news, considering the rate of enrolment in universities is up 26 per cent - double the national average – and college enrolment is up 18.5 per cent.
Students in a university or college degree program received $800, while students in college diploma and certificate programs received $365 toward the winter semester. This fall, they will receive $1,680 and $770 respectively.
Because the grant is calculated to be 30 per cent off the average Ontario tuition, the amount of the grant will keep pace with any increased future costs.
“Ontario families know that in our global, knowledge-based economy, it's really important that our kids - no matter what our income level is - finish high school and go on to an apprenticeship, college or university,” Premier Dalton McGuinty said, in the press release. “Families are committed to that. That's why we're doing our part to help them by providing the 30% Off Ontario Tuition grant."
Students can now apply for OSAP and automatically be considered for 10 grant and loan programs, including the 30% Off Ontario Tuition grant.
Ontario's Student Success Strategy has helped 93,000 more high school students graduate than would have if the rate stayed at the 2004 level. In Ontario, 64 per cent of adults have completed post-secondary education - that's a higher rate than any OECD country. Furthermore, Ontario has added about 210,000 more post-secondary spaces, including 60,000 more apprenticeships.
- Posted by Jenny Jelen
