Hundreds of students took to campuses across Ontario on Wednesday to protest planned cuts to the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP), and Ottawa was no exception.
At the University of Ottawa, students gathered in solidarity with concurrent demonstrations at Queen's Park in Toronto and at the University of Waterloo. The mood was frustrated, anxious, and, in the words of one student, "very angry."
What's Changing with OSAP?
The Ontario government's proposed changes would significantly shrink the pool of students eligible for OSAP grants. Currently, roughly 85% of applicants receive some form of grant aid. Under the new framework, that number would drop to a maximum of 25%, with remaining assistance converted from grants to loans.
That shift carries real consequences. Grants don't have to be repaid, loans do. For students already navigating rising tuition and a shaky job market, the prospect of graduating with deeper debt is alarming.
On top of the grant changes, the province is lifting a seven-year tuition freeze, allowing institutions to raise fees by up to 2% annually for three years.
Students Speak Out
"It's very atrocious," said Hazem Kouki, one of the Ottawa protesters who turned out Wednesday.
Alex Stratas, advocacy commissioner for the University of Ottawa student union, summed up the atmosphere simply: "We're all very angry."
Pavel Nangfack voiced a concern echoed by many: "Nobody wants to take on more loans, especially when the job market is very much crumbling."
That combination, more debt, fewer job prospects, is exactly what has students rattled. Post-secondary education is often pitched as an investment that pays off down the road, but the return on that investment feels increasingly uncertain for many grads.
The Province's Position
The Ontario government has defended the changes, pointing to $6.4 billion in additional post-secondary funding announced over four years. Officials argue the restructuring is necessary to put the system on a sustainable financial footing.
Critics, including student unions across the province, say the numbers don't add up, and that squeezing grant eligibility will push lower- and middle-income students away from university or college entirely.
What Happens Next?
For now, students are pressing forward with advocacy, calling on provincial legislators to reconsider the cuts before they take effect. Wednesday's demonstrations are part of a broader campaign, and organizers are hoping the public pressure will translate into political change.
If you're an Ottawa student affected by OSAP changes, the University of Ottawa Students' Union and Carleton's CUSA both have resources on navigating the new funding landscape and how to get involved in ongoing advocacy efforts.
Source: CBC Ottawa
