OSAP cuts: what is known about the program

Ontario has announced changes that reduce the provincial share of OSAP grants, which the government says are meant to restore the program's sustainability; ministries have not provided specifics on how much students will lose and the aid calculator update timing is unclear.

Ontario is changing the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) by reducing the amount of grant funding that comes from the provincial share. The provincial government and its minister's office say the changes are intended to restore sustainability for the program. Many students and experts have raised concerns that the cuts could increase debt or affect enrolment decisions. CBC contacted the responsible ministries but did not receive specific details about how individual students will be affected, and the OSAP aid calculator has not yet been updated for 2026–27. Key facts: - The announced changes affect the provincial portion of OSAP grants, which typically represents about 40 per cent of combined federal and provincial funding. - The minister's office said the changes aim to restore sustainability and align the student support framework with other jurisdictions, citing a reported $2.3 billion pressure on the system. - Officials did not provide detailed figures on grant reductions or when the aid calculator will be updated; the calculator is expected to be revised in spring, but the exact timing is unclear. Summary: The government has announced cuts to the provincial share of OSAP grants and framed them as a step to restore program sustainability, while ministries have not supplied detailed estimates of student-level impacts. Undetermined at this time.