There are BIG changes coming up for OSAP, starting August 1st, 2026. Below is everything you need to know! These changes will alter the balance between grants and loans, affect students attending private career colleges, and allow publicly assisted colleges and universities to increase tuition. The biggest takeaway is straightforward: a greater portion of provincial financial assistance may now need to be repaid.

OSAP funding can include two main types of financial assistance:

Under the new structure, students attending publicly assisted colleges and universities will be eligible to receive a maximum of 25% of their OSAP funding as grants, with at least 75% provided as loans. Previously, grants could represent as much as 85% of a student’s funding.

Students attending private career colleges will no longer receive provincial OSAP grants. Instead, 100% of the provincial portion of their OSAP assistance will be delivered as repayable loans.

The most immediate effect will likely be higher student debt.

For example, if $10,000 in student assistance were divided using the new maximum ratio, no more than $2,500 would be provided as grants and at least $7,500 would be issued as loans. This is only a simplified example, actual OSAP assessments depend on factors such as income, family circumstances, program costs and study period.

For private career college students, the provincial portion of that assistance would be entirely loan-based.

This does not necessarily mean students will receive less total assistance. However, it does mean that a larger portion of the assistance you receive could come with a future repayment obligation. As a student you may need to think more carefully about:

Ontario is also ending its seven-year tuition freeze for publicly assisted colleges and universities. These institutions will be permitted to raise tuition by up to 2% per year for the next three years.

This tuition policy applies to publicly assisted institutions and is separate from the removal of provincial OSAP grants for students at private career colleges. Together, however, the changes may make affordability an even more important part of choosing a school and program.

When more financial assistance is provided through loans, students may place greater importance on programs that offer a clear connection between training and employment. That’s where our team at the Canadian College of Healthcare and Pharmaceutics can help. All our programs are designed with employment in mind, giving you workplace ready skills that can help you start your career quickly. What makes healthcare such an interesting field is there are SO many different career paths available.

If you are considering beginning a program during the 2026–2027 academic year, start planning as early as possible.

First, use the official 2026–2027 OSAP Aid Estimator to get a preliminary idea of the funding for which you may qualify. An estimate is not a final assessment, but it can help you begin building a realistic budget.

At the Canadian College of Healthcare and Pharmaceutics, we understand that paying for education can feel complicated, especially when funding rules are changing.

You should not feel pressured to navigate these decisions alone. Our Academic Advisors can help potential students understand program costs and explore scholarships, funding opportunities and payment options that may be available. Final OSAP eligibility and funding amounts are determined by the government, but having the right information can help you make a more confident decision about your education.

For official details, visit the Ontario government’s OSAP website.

 

If you’d like to schedule a FREE call with one of our Academic Advisors, click here.

 

Or learn more about financial assistance options available at CCHAP, click here to apply for funding.