Office of Amrit Mangat, MPP – Press Release – Free Tuition for More Students in Mississauga – Brampton South with the New Ontario Student Grant

BRAMPTON, ON – Ontario is making college and university more accessible and affordable for

low- and middle-income students in Mississauga–Brampton South through the single-largest

modernization ever of the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP).

As announced in the 2016 Budget, the government will create a single, targeted, non-repayable

grant – the Ontario Student Grant – starting in the 2017-18 school year. The changes to OSAP

will make average tuition free for more than 150,000 eligible low- and middle-income

students across the province and will reduce the cost for many more by:

 Providing the majority of eligible students whose parents earn the median annual income

of $83,300 or less with enough in grants to more than cover their tuition costs;

 Eliminating provincial student loan debt for eligible students whose parents earn less

than $50,000; and,

 Ensuring that no eligible student receives less non-repayable aid through the new grant

than they currently do through the 30% Off Ontario Tuition Grant.

The Ontario Student Grant will provide additional support for full-time mature and married

students, and eligibility will no longer be tied to the number of years a student has been out of

high school. This predictable, upfront grant will allow families in Mississauga and Brampton to

plan for their education on the basis of net price — the difference between the sticker price of

tuition and what a student actually needs to pay. The government will work closely with the

postsecondary sector to develop planning tools that more accurately calculate the net tuition

and net price of a university or college education.

Breaking down barriers to postsecondary education in Mississauga–Brampton is part of the

government’s economic plan to build Ontario up and deliver on its number-one priority to grow

the economy and create jobs. The four-part plan includes investing in talent and skills, including

helping more people get and create the jobs of the future by expanding access to high-quality

college and university education. The plan is making the largest investment in public

infrastructure in Ontario’s history and investing in a low-carbon economy driven by innovative,

high-growth, export-oriented businesses. The plan is also helping working Ontarians achieve a

more secure retirement.

QUOTE

“Modernizing our province’s student assistance program will make an important difference for a

significant number of students in our community. I’m proud of the investment that our

government is making in Ontario’s future.”

— Amrit Mangat, MPP for Mississauga-Brampton South

“By making average tuition free for tens of thousands of students and increasing eligibility for

support to so many more, we are demonstrating how firmly we believe in the importance of

investing in Ontario’s people. All students should be able to afford to go to college or university

in Ontario. This transformative grant will be more generous and more straightforward, breaking

down barriers that might be preventing residents of Mississauga and Brampton from getting a

postsecondary education while continuing to help students who are currently benefiting from

important grant support.”

— Reza Moridi, Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities

“Sheridan students come from a wide variety of backgrounds and stages of their careers.

Through the Ontario Student Grant, the Government of Ontario is opening doors to

postsecondary education to thousands of students – whether they’re just beginning their career

or looking to upgrade their skills – and making a crucial investment in Ontario’s present and

future workforce.”

— Jeff Zabudsky, President and Vice Chancellor, Sheridan College

“The Ontario Student Grant responds to the very real barriers many students face when

considering higher education. This expanded support will bring college and university within

reach for students in need throughout Ontario, and will make it easier for them to plan for their

future.”

— Sylvia Ibrahim, President, Sheridan Student Union

QUICK FACTS

 Almost 20,300 students were enrolled full-time in college and university programs based in

Mississauga and Brampton during 2014-15.

 About 80 per cent of OSAP recipients, or 250,000 Ontario students, are expected to end up

with lower student loan debt as a result of the changes to OSAP than they would under

current OSAP rules.

 300,000 students are expected to receive the same amount of grant support or more as a

result of the changes to OSAP than they would under current OSAP rules.

 Ninety per cent of dependent college students whose parents earn less than $50,000 are

expected to receive OSAP grants that are greater than average college tuition.

 Seventy per cent of dependent university students whose parents earn less than $50,000

are expected to receive OSAP grants that are greater than average university tuition.

 The $50,000 family income threshold is based on Statistics Canada’s Low-Income Measure

for a four-person household, before tax.