Ontario government cuts cash for college and universities for bursaries

By Kristen Haveman

Starting March 31, 2012 colleges and universities across the province will receive less money for bursaries.

Since 2005, the Ontario government has matched donations one to one towards the establishment of permanent bursaries through the Ontario Trust for Student Support. This program along with two others, the textbook and technology grant and the Queen Elizabeth II Aiming for the Top Scholarship were announced to be cut from the budget after it was revealed that a new program would give some students a 30 per cent rebate on tuition.

Joanne Farrell, awards officer at Loyalist College, said the change shouldn’t affect the bursaries the college has already established but that it could mean fewer bursaries in the future.

“They maintain themselves, but they will not grow as readily now,” said Farrell.

She explained that the loss of the program might mean less money for students as there would not be as much investment income but students would not see a difference right away.

Farrell said that each year the school takes a snapshot of what they have available for bursaries and that is what they give out. She said the initial donations come from various entities such as personal donations and services. Farrell said that cancellation of the program might be more of a downfall for these donors, as they will no longer get the matched donation.

The 30 per cent tuition rebate that replaces the three initiatives came with certain criteria that need to be met for students to benefit.

According to the website for the Ontario Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities, to be eligible for the rebate students must: be a full-time student at a public college or university in Ontario, been less than four years since you left high school, in a program that you can apply to directly from high school and your parents’ gross income is $160,000 or less.

Starting in September, eligible students in a degree program at a college or university will get a $1,600 rebate a year while certificate and diploma programs will receive a $730 rebate per year.

According to Statistics Canada, the majority of college and university students are late teens to early twenties but older students also make up a significant portion of the student population.

“The new program is not necessarily fair because not everyone is eligible, but it is the government’s money to allocate how they see,” said Farrell.

Sam Andrey, executive director of Ontario Undergraduate Student Alliance (OUSA), said while the loss of the Ontario Trust Support was disappointing, a higher percentage of people would benefit from the new program.

Overall, he said the new program was an improvement and that the government would be putting more money towards supporting education. OUSA’s website felt targeted grants that reduce upfront costs was a top priority and they were pleased with the tuition rebate program.

“Pure numbers — more people are benefitting but any program that reduces student aid is not ideal,” said Andrey.

Jim Robeson, director of advocacy at the College Student Alliance, said that any sort of elimination of financial aid is something they do not like to see.

He said that he realizes the government is in a time of financial restraint but that the College Student Alliance would like a discussion with the government to ensure that financial aid is available to all age groups.

Robeson said that he feels the 30 per cent tuition rebate is a step in the right decision.

“It’s a tough subject, there is a significant portion who are under-represented, that might not otherwise go for post secondary education. It is our hope, with the incentive, that these students will take advantage of it.”

Robeson said according to the Ontario College Environmental Scan that roughly 50 per cent of enrolled students will be impacted positively by the rebate program. He also said he didn’t feel the end of these programs would deter enrolment of older students. He said that for older students there are a number of loans and grants that exist. One example, said Robeson, is the second career program that will fund up to $28,000, though it is not a guarantee you will get that much.

“Student College Alliance is looking forward to all students having the aid they require and working with the government to see this happens,” said Robeson.

A bursary is a non-repayable award that is given based on financial need. Farrell said other criteria might apply depending on the program and sometimes things like location. She said that the college works with donors to set up criteria for a bursary to ensure that the criteria are achievable.