Backgrounder


Backgrounder

New 30% Off Ontario Tuition

January 5, 2012

To create the best-educated workforce in the world, Ontario is helping families by keeping the cost of postsecondary education affordable with a new 30% Off Ontario Tuition grant.

Who Is Eligible

Students are eligible for the new 30% Off Ontario Tuition grant if:

  • They are a full-time student at a public college or university in Ontario
  • It's been less than four years since they left high school
  • They are in a program that they can apply to directly from high school
  • Their parents' gross income is $160,000 or less
  • They are a Canadian citizen, a permanent resident or a protected person
  • They are an Ontario resident

Starting in January, eligible university or college degree students will receive $800 and college diploma and certificate students will receive $365 — an amount pro-rated for one semester, covering the second half of the school year.

In September 2012, students in a university or college degree program will save $1,600 and students in college diploma and certificate programs will save $730.

Students may receive the new 30% Off Ontario Tuition grant for up to four years of study in an undergraduate program. Students with disabilities may receive the grant for up to six years of study.

How To Apply

Students who already receive OSAP will be automatically considered. If eligible, the grant will be deposited directly into their account or otherwise be mailed to their school-year address.

Students who do not currently receive OSAP must apply. Before starting, students will need their parent(s)' and their own Social Insurance Number (SIN) numbers, and the information from Line 150 from their parent(s)' 2010 Canadian Income Tax Return(s).


To apply, students need to:

  • Go to http://www.ontario.ca/30off
  • Register for an OSAP Access Number
  • Fill out and submit the application form
  • Print the signature pages — they need to sign one and their parent(s) will also have to sign one (pages may be submitted separately)
  • Mail or fax the signed pages to:

Student Financial Assistance Branch
Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities
P.O. Box 4500
189 Red River Road, 4th Floor
Thunder Bay, ON P7B 6G9
Fax: (807) 343-7278

March 31st is the deadline to apply to receive the grant for this semester. Cheques will be mailed four to six weeks after the application is completed and signed declaration forms are received in Thunder Bay.

See also: