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Ontario College Students Sent Home on First Day Due to OSAP Funding Delay
Ontario college students faced disruption on the first day of the academic year as their Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) funding failed to arrive on time, forcing them to leave campus. Maya Tilley, a Hamilton student entering her third year of post-secondary education, had planned her academic year around a new college program but found herself sent home from Marca College in Hamilton along with approximately a dozen other students. Tilley, who relies on OSAP grants and loans from a single-parent household, explained that she could not afford the $17,000 tuition and supplies for her one-year program without the funding. The college confirmed in an email that OSAP program approvals for the 2026-2027 academic year were awaiting renewal by the provincial government, with students advised to await further information from the Ministry. Students who could not pay were unable to begin their programs, leaving many uncertain about their return dates. Tilley expressed frustration over the lack of communication from both OSAP and the college's financial aid office, stating that she had repeatedly contacted them before classes began. The Ontario NDP's MPP Peggy Sattler criticized the Ford government for failing to deliver OSAP funding on time, noting that students are struggling with expenses including textbooks, lab kits, technology, groceries, and gas while waiting for their funding. Sattler emphasized that students should not have to suffer due to administrative failures and called for immediate action to release the funds and prevent future delays. The situation highlights ongoing concerns about the impact of OSAP changes, including reduced provincial grants, which have forced students to take on more debt. The delay has not only disrupted students' academic plans but also raised questions about the reliability of the OSAP system and the government's ability to manage student financial aid effectively. With no clear timeline for when the funding will be released, students like Tilley remain in limbo, unsure if they will be able to complete their programs on schedule.
