{
  "id": 12429287,
  "title": "Ontario career college sector thrown into ‘uncertainty’ without OSAP decisions",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/06/ontario-career-college-sector-thrown-into-uncertainty-without-osap",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-06T17:34:22.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "CityNews",
    "slug": "citynews",
    "url": "https://toronto.citynews.ca/2026/10/06/ontario-career-college-sector-osap/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Ontario's career college sector is grappling with uncertainty as the government delays decisions on whether institutions will receive student financial aid. The Ministry of Colleges and Universities typically approves eligibility for the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) funding over the summer, but career colleges and their thousands of students are still waiting in early October, with the academic year already underway at many schools. Career Colleges Ontario, a sector association, says the delays are causing significant disruption for schools, which must make operational decisions without clear timelines, and for students unsure if they can afford to start or remain in classes. The delay comes amid criticism of the government for what critics accuse of a lack of oversight and inaction on unusually rapid OSAP growth at several career colleges, which Career Colleges Ontario flagged as \"suspicious\" as early as January 2023. Career Colleges Ontario executive director Michele Lupa says the delays are concerning, especially for schools like Mothercraft, which have a strong compliance record. She notes that many graduates of Mothercraft's early childhood education programs are needed as the child-care sector expands under the national affordable child-care program. Some students, like dental hygienist first-semester student Daliah Gardoque, are also waiting anxiously, as their programs are in OSAP limbo. The OSAP delays follow a decision by the ministry not to renew eligibility this year for five career colleges, with reporting showing that 95% of the year-over-year increase in 2024-25 went to career college students, with the bulk of the growth concentrated among a small number of schools. In 2024-25, just seven career colleges received about $385 million in provincial grants, compared to all Ontario university students combined. Career Colleges Ontario has raised concerns with the ministry about potential suspicious activity in OSAP applications dating back to January 2023.",
  "summary": "Ontario has delayed decisions on whether individual career colleges across the province will be eligible for student financial aid this academic year amid questions about unusual activity at a small number of schools, throwing the entire sector into uncertainty. The Ministry of Colleges and Universities often approves which schools can accept Ontario Student Assistance Program […]",
  "key_points": [
    "Ontario career colleges face uncertainty due to delayed OSAP decisions",
    "Ministry typically approves OSAP funding in summer, but career colleges await in October",
    "Delays cause operational disruptions for schools and financial concerns for students"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Winnipeg Free Press",
        "title": "Canadian Press NewsAlert: Ontario refers career college OSAP concerns to OPP",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/06/canadian-press-newsalert-ontario-refers-career-college-osap-concerns",
        "published": "2026-10-06T17:19:37.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}