Ontario post-secondary funding plan includes tuition hikes and grant cuts

The Ontario government announced a $6.4-billion funding model for colleges and universities to be paid over four years and said publicly-assisted institutions may raise tuition up to 2% per year starting in 2026–27; the province also announced OSAP grants would be limited to a maximum of 25% while loans will make up at least 75% of aid.

The province announced a $6.4-billion funding model for Ontario's colleges and universities to be paid over the next four years. The plan ends a multi-year tuition freeze and allows publicly-assisted institutions to increase tuition by up to two per cent annually for three years starting in the 2026–2027 school year. The government also announced changes to the Ontario Student Assistance Program that reduce the maximum grant share to 25 per cent and raise loans to at least 75 per cent of aid. Officials said the measures respond to funding pressures, including fewer international students and prior low funding levels. Key details: - $6.4 billion in new funding to be distributed over four years. - Tuition caps will end; institutions may raise tuition up to 2% per year for three years beginning 2026–2027. - OSAP will shift to a maximum 25% in grants and a minimum 75% in loans for eligible students. Summary: The announcement combines increased operating funding with changes that raise tuition limits and reduce the share of non-repayable student grants. Reactions were mixed, with an opposition critic calling the changes too late and sector representatives describing the funding as significant; implementation is set for the 2026–2027 school year and longer-term effects are undetermined at this time.