Ontario Post-Secondary Funding, Tuition & OSAP Changes
On February 12, the Ontario government announced a significant change in the post-secondary sector aimed at strengthening long-term financial sustainability across colleges and universities. The announcement includes $6.4 billion in new funding over four years, raising annual operating funding to approximately $7 billion and an updated tuition framework that will permit institutions to increase tuition by 2% annually for the next three years, followed by increases capped at either 2% or the three-year rolling average of inflation.
The announcement also introduces significant changes to the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP), including a restructuring of financial aid so that a maximum of 25% of provincial assistance is delivered as grants, with at least 75% provided as loans. These changes are set to begin in Fall 2026.
While the AMS recognizes that sustained institutional funding is critical to maintaining the quality and stability of Ontario’s post-secondary sector, our primary concern is the direct financial impact on students with the drastic changes to grant and loan allocations.
The AMS aligns itself with the Ontario Undergraduate Student Alliance (OUSA) statement and recommendations in response to the OSAP changes, including calls for:
- a no-interest provincial student loan program, modelled after the federal initiative removing interest on federal student loans; and
- an extension of the OSAP repayment grace period from six months to at least two years.
What Does This Mean for Students?
Starting in the 2026–2027 academic year (Fall 2026), students should anticipate tuition increases of up to 2% annually for the next three years, marking the end of the 2019 domestic tuition freeze. At the same time, students receiving OSAP may see a greater proportion of their aid delivered as repayable loans rather than non-repayable grants. Students who previously qualified for partial grant support—particularly middle-income students—may now find themselves relying more heavily on loans.
Taken together, these changes may improve institutional stability, but they also risk increasing individual student debt burdens. At a time when students continue to face significant pressures related to housing, food insecurity, and the rising cost of living.
How the AMS Is Supporting Students
The AMS remains committed to ensuring that Queen’s students are supported—financially, socially, and academically—as these changes take effect.
The AMS offers grants and bursaries to help cover costs related to student experience, including academic supplies, participation in events, and other student expenses. Beyond direct financial support, AMS services help reduce day-to-day living costs and aid:
- AMS Food Bank: provides free groceries and essential household items to students experiencing food insecurity.
- Peach Market: provides affordable food options through a low-cost grocery market system for students.
- Collective Closet: provides free clothing through community donations.
- Greenovations: provides services and supports that can help reduce household expenses like retrofitting.
- Housing Resource Centre: provides students with accessible, peer-to-peer, non-legal support for a variety of off-campus housing issues.
We recognize that financial uncertainty can also carry social and emotional impacts. The AMS will continue fostering community-building programming and peer support spaces, and will share information on the AMS Website and Instagram so that students are informed, supported, and connected during this transition.
Looking Ahead
Post-secondary education must remain accessible, affordable, and equitable.
The AMS will continue engaging with provincial partners and institutional leadership to ensure that the student perspective remains central as these reforms are implemented, particularly given the uncertain and impending impacts of Bill 33 on the AMS services our 21,000 students rely on.
Please reach out with any questions, comments or concerns to the Commissioner of External Affairs at or the Vice-President (University Affairs) at .
For any questions, concerns, or media inquiries, please contact the Communications Office, at . We’re here to help