A portion of independent career colleges in Ontario has experienced substantial growth in the number of students receiving financial aid, according to recent data. The figures, obtained through a freedom-of-information request by The Canadian Press, reveal that a few of the approximately 170 career colleges saw a significant rise in students receiving grants and loans from the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP), with some schools transitioning from less than 100 OSAP recipients to several thousand in just a few years.
In the academic year 2024-25, seven career colleges received approximately $385 million in provincial grants for their students. This amount matches the total provincial grants provided to students in all publicly funded colleges across Ontario that year, surpassing the funding allocated to university students.
Earlier this year, the government of Ontario, under Premier Doug Ford, reduced student assistance grants for university and public college students, while also restricting career college students from accessing grants due to concerns over unsustainable OSAP costs. Previous data revealed that the majority of recent OSAP growth came from career college students, with minimal increases seen among university and college students.
Career Colleges Ontario, the organization representing the sector, expressed concerns about a small number of institutions but emphasized that irregular conduct among its members is rare. The association is collaborating with government officials to address the situation and ensure the integrity of the OSAP system.
Recently, five career colleges were disqualified from accessing OSAP grants for the upcoming academic year. The decision was linked to concerns regarding asynchronous learning programs, where students complete coursework at their convenience. The province alleged compromised participation in these programs, prompting further measures to regulate growth, enhance accountability, and safeguard public funds.
The Academy of Learning, which operates multiple schools as franchises and has witnessed significant growth in OSAP recipients, attributed its enrollment surge to demographic changes and the appeal of its programs to individuals seeking career advancement. While some of its locations were excluded from OSAP eligibility for the upcoming year, the Academy affirmed its commitment to integrity and successful job placements for its graduates.
Notably, certain Academy of Learning locations experienced extraordinary growth in OSAP recipients, with one campus seeing a 1,300% increase in students receiving financial aid. Such rapid spikes in OSAP utilization are considered outliers by industry experts, highlighting the need for closer scrutiny and regulation to ensure responsible use of financial aid resources.