{
  "id": 12903350,
  "title": "OSAP freeze raises alarm bells for Ontario career college students",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/08/osap-freeze-raises-alarm-bells-for-ontario-career-college-students",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-08T16:06:43.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "CityNews",
    "slug": "citynews",
    "url": "https://toronto.citynews.ca/2026/10/08/osap-freeze-raises-alarm-bells-for-ontario-career-college-students/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The pause of financial aid payments for career college students in Ontario has left many bewildered and anxious about their future. The Ford government's decision to investigate suspected criminal activity at certain institutions has resulted in a halt to OSAP payments. Nolan Quinn, Colleges and Universities Minister, stated that provincial police will investigate after auditors found some schools possibly exploiting the program. KPMG has started an audit, and OSAP will not be distributed to career college students during this period. Students like Daliah Gardoque, a dental hygiene student, are struggling with the uncertainty and stress of this situation. Gardoque mentioned feeling overwhelmed and stressed about her future and the implications of the OSAP freeze. Some career colleges are questioning the broad, all-encompassing approach taken by the province and police, while others argue they are being unfairly lumped into the same category as institutions with questionable practices. Critics, such as Liberal MPP Tyler Watt, argue that the government's response is disproportionate and unfair to honest students. Government spokesperson Bianca Giacoboni defended the decision, stating that the ministry has not ruled out the possibility of more widespread issues. Students, like Gardoque, are taking matters into their own hands by organizing petitions to demand more clarity and answers from the government.",
  "summary": "Students in career colleges across Ontario have been left confused and concerned for their futures following a Ford government decision on Tuesday to pause financial aid payments due to suspected criminal activity at some schools. Colleges and Universities Minister Nolan Quinn announced that the government has asked provincial police to investigate the issue after auditors […]",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "CityNews",
        "title": "Don’t target all students for possible OSAP misuse at some schools, association says",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/07/dont-target-all-students-for-possible-osap-misuse-at-some-schools",
        "published": "2026-10-07T23:49:18.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}