The Durham College Student Association Board of Directors has reviewed the Ontario government’s recent changes to the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP).

We welcome new funding directed toward Ontario’s post-secondary institutions. Stable and sustainable investment in colleges and universities matters. Our institutions require support to serve students well.

However, we fundamentally disagree with the decision to restructure OSAP so that 75 percent of provincial assistance is delivered through repayable loans and only 25 percent through non-repayable grants.

Post-secondary education should open doors, not deepen debt. Increasing the loan burden on students shifts financial risk onto those who can least afford it. Grants are not a bonus. Grants exist to reduce barriers. They are a critical tool that makes education accessible for students from diverse economic backgrounds.

At a time when students are already navigating rising living costs, housing pressures, and economic uncertainty, this change moves Ontario in the wrong direction. Investment in institutions should not come at the expense of affordability for students.

As the elected representatives of Durham College students, we remain committed to advocating for accessible, equitable, and affordable education. We will continue to monitor these changes closely and to amplify student voices as more details emerge.

Durham College Student Association
Board of Directors