$385M in OSAP grants sent to students at 7 career colleges last year: docs
Career Colleges Ontario said it could not comment on alleged behaviours of any particular school, but said it has raised concerns with the government.
New data has revealed that a small number of private career colleges in Ontario have seen explosive growth in the number of students receiving financial assistance through the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP). According to the Canadian Press, seven career colleges alone received $385 million in provincial grants for students in the 2024-25 academic year, which is more than all of Ontario's public colleges and universities combined.
The growth in OSAP recipients is primarily attributed to career college students, while the total amount of OSAP going to university and college students has remained relatively flat. Career Colleges Ontario, the sector's association, has raised concerns with the government regarding a small number of institutions, but emphasized that irregular conduct is rare among their members.
The province has disqualified students at five career colleges from receiving OSAP for the upcoming school year, citing "compromised participation" in asynchronous learning programs. The Academy of Learning, a franchise with multiple schools among the highest growth of OSAP recipients, defended its institutions as providing opportunities for newcomers and people retraining for a second career.
The government has announced additional legislative measures to curb out-of-control growth and ensure responsible use of public funds.
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