Expand eligibility to tuition grants: Cambrian

Cambrian College is among 24 Ontario community colleges calling on the provincial government to expand eligibility for low-income students to access the 30 per cent Off Ontario Tuition grant program.

“Community colleges serve a student population that is representative of the general population, and reforms to eligibility for the 30 per cent Off Ontario Tuition grant program would improve access to college education, which leads to better employment prospects,” said Cambrian College president Bill Best.

“Eighty-five percent of Cambrian graduates get jobs within their fields within six months of graduation, so it’s clear that Cambrian grads get jobs, and that the College is a valuable workforce developer.

“That’s why we’re asking the provincial government to ensure that in its spring budget there are changes that will allow more Ontario students to benefit from the tuition grant program.”

Established in 2012, the 30 per cent Off Ontario Tuition grant is available to college students who have graduated from high school within the past four years.

However, today, the majority of college students enrol after spending time in the workforce or in other post-secondary studies, so many of them do not qualify for the tuition grant.

Further, more than 50 per cent of community college applicants have household incomes of less than $60,000.

Gaining access to this grant would help more students to start or continue college studies in Ontario, which would develop the province’s workforce and strengthen the economy, a press release said.