NORTHERN ONTARIO

College Students to Receive Support to Finish Studies

CTV Northern Ontario
Published Monday, November 20, 2017 3:04PM EST Last Updated Monday, November 20, 2017 4:16PM EST

Faculty members walk the picket line at a Humber College campus in Toronto on Wednesday November 8, 2017. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young)

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After bearing the brunt of the college strike burden, many Ontario students experienced many hardships over the last five weeks.

The province is stepping in to ensure college students will receive the support they need to finish their studies by requiring colleges to set up student support funds using the net savings from the strike. These funds will be used to help those who endured financial difficulties because of the strike.

“That’s why we are taking these measures to ensure students have the support they need to complete their studies, and continue working towards an education that will allow them to succeed in a highly-skilled workforce." said Deb Matthews, Deputy Premier, Minister of Advanced Education and Skills Development and Minister Responsible for Digital Government

Full-time domestic and international students will be eligible to receive up to $500 for incremental unexpected costs they incurred, such as additional child care fees, rebooked train or bus tickets or January rent.

The Ontario government expects that students will be able to apply to their college for financial assistance through the fund starting this week. Any strike-related support will not count against a student's OSAP assessment.

Students currently receiving OSAP who were likely to graduate before December 31 of this year, and who have their current semester extended, will receive additional OSAP for the length of the extension. OSAP will start making payments for extensions in mid-December, after college extension plans are finalized.

If a student decides to withdraw from college because of the strike, they will receive a full tuition refund, but has two weeks to apply for one. Apprentices can also apply for a full refund of classroom fees if they are unable to complete their in-school training for reasons related to the strike.

These financial supports for students were determined through consultations with student leaders and their provincial associations and colleges. The province will continue to work with students and colleges to finalize implementation plans in the coming days.

Supporting college students is part of Ontario's plan to create fairness and opportunity during this period of rapid economic change.