A select group of private career colleges in Ontario has experienced significant growth in the number of students receiving financial aid, according to newly released data. The association representing this sector has expressed concerns about this trend. Data obtained through a freedom-of-information request revealed that a few of the around 170 career colleges saw a remarkable increase in the number of students receiving grants and loans from the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP). Some institutions saw their OSAP recipients surge from under 100 students to several thousand within a short period.
In the 2024-25 academic year, seven career colleges received approximately $385 million in provincial grants for their students. This total amount surpassed the grants given to students at all publicly funded colleges in Ontario that year, including those in universities. The government of Ontario, led by Premier Doug Ford, had earlier reduced student assistance grants for university and public college students while restricting career college students from accessing grants due to concerns over the sustainability of the OSAP program.
A recent data analysis revealed that the majority of the recent growth in OSAP recipients was among career college students, with minimal growth among university and college students. The data further highlights that this growth is primarily concentrated in a small number of schools. Career Colleges Ontario, a sector advocacy organization, acknowledged concerns with specific institutions and stated that they are working with the government to address any irregularities in OSAP applications.
Recently, students at five career colleges were disqualified from receiving OSAP for the upcoming academic year. The decision was based on concerns about the quality of asynchronous learning programs offered by these institutions. The Ministry of Colleges and Universities in Ontario announced that additional measures would be introduced to manage the escalating growth in OSAP usage and ensure accountability in the allocation of public funds for student support.
One of the prominent institutions affected by the OSAP eligibility suspension is the Academy of Learning, known for catering to newcomers and individuals seeking career training. The academy’s enrollment growth aligns with demographic shifts, attracting students who opt for shorter programs over traditional four-year degrees. The data highlights significant spikes in OSAP recipients at specific academy locations, prompting further scrutiny into the integrity and accountability of financial aid distribution.
The Bay Street location of the Academy of Learning witnessed a substantial increase in OSAP recipients from 996 students in 2021-22 to 7,435 in 2024-25, receiving over $108 million in grants. Similarly, the Brampton East location saw a remarkable 1,300 percent growth in OSAP recipients over the same period. Experts caution that such exponential growth in OSAP usage is atypical and raises concerns about the transparency and oversight of financial aid distribution in the province.
