Ontario students starting college in 2026 are now navigating an updated student-aid landscape. As of August 1, 2026, changes to the provincial portion of the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) have taken effect, affecting how eligible students receive financial assistance. The federal government also provides grants for eligible students with disabilities, with a fixed amount of $2,800 per academic year, as well as funding of $280 per month for each eligible dependent child under the age of 11.
For students pursuing career-focused education, understanding these changes is important when budgeting for tuition, planning education expenses, and exploring available funding options.
At CIMT College, students can also explore alternative financial assistance options—including bursaries, payment plans, Better Jobs Ontario and other funding pathways—to help make career education more accessible.
Important: OSAP eligibility and funding amounts are determined by the Ontario government based on individual circumstances. Students should check their personalized OSAP assessment before making financial decisions.
What Is OSAP?
The Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) is a government financial-aid program designed to help eligible Ontario residents pay for postsecondary education.
Depending on eligibility, OSAP provides a combination of:
- Grants — money that generally does not need to be repaid
- Student loans — money that must be repaid after the applicable repayment period begins
OSAP can help eligible students with expenses such as tuition, books and equipment, school fees and, for eligible full-time students, living expenses and child care.
The amount a student receives depends on factors such as income, family circumstances, program details, course load and other information provided in the application.
What Has Changed With OSAP in 2026?
The Ontario government announced changes to the provincial portion of OSAP in February 2026, and these changes are now in effect for programs with a study period beginning on or after August 1, 2026.
The major change is straightforward:
More of the provincial OSAP funding is now being provided as loans rather than grants.
For students attending career colleges, this change is particularly important.
According to the Government of Ontario, students enrolled in career colleges are receiving all of their provincial OSAP funding as loans for applicable study periods beginning on or after August 1, 2026.
This means students who previously expected a portion of their provincial OSAP assistance to come as grant funding are now seeing a different mix of grants and loans in their 2026–27 assessment.
Who Is Affected by the OSAP Changes?
The changes primarily affect students whose programs began on or after August 1, 2026.
This includes students who are:
- Starting a new program in the 2026–27 academic year
- Attending a career college
- Depending on OSAP to help finance tuition and living expenses
- Comparing different education and career-training options
- Creating a budget for their postsecondary education
The OSAP academic year runs from August 1 to July 31 of the following year. Therefore, the start date of your study period determines which academic year and funding rules apply.
Does This Mean Students Are Receiving Less OSAP?
Not necessarily.
This is an important distinction.
The change is primarily about the type of provincial funding students receive, rather than simply whether a student qualifies for OSAP.
For example, a student may previously have received a combination of grant and loan funding. Under the updated rules, an eligible career-college student is now receiving their provincial portion as a loan instead.
This changes the amount of money the student will eventually have to repay.
However, OSAP assessments are individualized, and students can still qualify for other components of financial assistance, including applicable federal grants and other forms of aid.
For 2026–27, the Ontario government lists a maximum Canada Student Grant for Full-Time Students (Not for profit institutions) of $6,300 per academic year, subject to eligibility and applicable limits.
So, students should not assume that the provincial OSAP changes mean that all OSAP grants have disappeared.
Grant vs. Loan: Why Does the Difference Matter?
Understanding the difference between a grant and a loan is now more important than ever.
A Grant
A grant is financial assistance that generally does not need to be repaid, provided the student continues to meet the applicable requirements.
A Loan
A student loan is borrowed money that must be repaid according to the applicable repayment terms.
Therefore, when more of a student's funding comes in the form of a loan, that student may graduate with more education-related debt than they would have under a grant-heavy funding package.
This doesn't mean students should avoid education.
It means students should understand their complete financial picture before starting their program.
What Do the OSAP Changes Mean for Students?
1. Students Need to Plan Their Education Budget More Carefully
Students should look beyond the advertised tuition amount.
A realistic education budget may include:
- Tuition
- Books and learning materials
- Transportation
- Technology
- Housing
- Food
- Child care, where applicable
- Other personal expenses
Because a larger portion of provincial assistance is now provided through loans for eligible career-college students, students need to consider how much they are comfortable borrowing.
2. Repayment Is a Bigger Consideration
A grant and a loan can provide similar financial help today, but they have very different consequences later.
Students should therefore ask:
How much of my funding will I need to repay?
What will my total borrowing look like by graduation?
What other financial assistance can reduce my borrowing?
These questions can help students make more informed decisions about their education.
3. Alternative Funding Options Are More Important
The updated OSAP structure highlights the importance of looking beyond one funding source.
Students can explore a combination of:
OSAP + bursaries + scholarships + payment plans + government employment/training programs + personal savings
The right combination depends on individual eligibility.
Using multiple funding sources can potentially help students reduce the amount they need to borrow.
What About Students Already Receiving OSAP?
The updated rules are tied to study-period start dates.
The Government of Ontario states that the changes apply to programs that start on or after August 1, 2026.
Students who are already enrolled should therefore review the rules applicable to their specific study period rather than assuming that the updated rules automatically apply to every existing OSAP recipient.
Your individual OSAP assessment remains the best source for determining the funding you have been approved to receive.
What Should Students Do When Applying for OSAP?
If you're planning to start a program in 2026 or later, consider these steps.
Step 1: Check Your OSAP Eligibility
Review the official OSAP requirements and determine whether you may qualify.
Step 2: Apply Early
The Ontario government provides OSAP applications through its online system for eligible full-time and part-time students.
Providing the required information and documentation can help ensure your application is assessed appropriately.
Step 3: Review Your Assessment Carefully
Don't look only at the total amount.
Check the breakdown between:
- Grants
- Loans
- Other applicable assistance
Step 4: Calculate Your Expected Education Costs
Compare your approved funding with tuition and your other education-related expenses.
Step 5: Explore Other Funding Options
With the updated OSAP structure now in place, this step is increasingly important.
What Other Funding Options Are Available at CIMT College?
For students considering CIMT College, OSAP is not the only potential way to finance education.
CIMT College lists several financial assistance options for eligible students, including scholarships and bursaries, monthly payment plans, government funding programs, student lines of credit, RESP funding, Employment Ontario and employer or union-sponsored education assistance.
Here are some of the options students can explore:
1. CIMT College Scholarships and Bursaries
CIMT College offers scholarships and bursaries to eligible Canadian students.
Eligibility and amounts can depend on factors such as previous qualifications, certifications, experience, knowledge and financial circumstances. Students can speak with an Education Counselor to determine whether they may qualify.
CIMT College also identifies several bursary categories, including New Immigrant, Back to School, Life Experience, In-Need and Refugee bursaries, subject to applicable eligibility requirements.
2. Monthly Payment Plans
Students who don't want to pay the entire tuition amount upfront may be able to use a monthly payment plan.
According to CIMT College, tuition and material costs can be divided into monthly payments throughout the program, with payments described as interest-free during the study period and no credit check or co-signer required for the standard monthly payment plan.
This can help students manage education costs as part of their regular monthly budget.
3. Better Jobs Ontario
For eligible individuals, Better Jobs Ontario is another important funding pathway.
The program is designed to help eligible people obtain training for in-demand careers and can provide financial assistance toward eligible costs such as tuition, books, transportation and living expenses.
Eligibility is determined by the program's government requirements, so students should discuss their circumstances with the appropriate funding office before assuming they qualify.
4. Employment Ontario and Other Government Programs
Employment Ontario administers programs that may assist eligible individuals with employment and training.
Depending on your circumstances, you may qualify for financial assistance through Employment Ontario or other government-supported programs.
5. Student Lines of Credit
Some banks and credit unions offer student lines of credit that can be used to finance postsecondary education.
Terms, interest rates and eligibility vary by financial institution, so students should speak directly with their bank or credit union.
6. RESP Funds
If you're the beneficiary of a Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP), those funds may potentially be used toward eligible education expenses.
CIMT College lists RESP funding as one of the possible ways students can finance their education.
7. Employer or Union Education Assistance
Some employers and unions provide education assistance or tuition reimbursement programs.
If you're currently working, it may be worth asking your employer whether they offer financial assistance for education or professional development.
What Do the OSAP Changes Mean for Students Today?
The biggest takeaway isn't that students should stop considering OSAP.
Instead, the updated OSAP structure means that students should approach education financing with a broader strategy.
As of August 1, 2026, eligible career-college students are receiving a substantial portion of OSAP funding as loans for applicable study periods.
For students, this makes it more important to:
Understand your OSAP assessment.
Know how much you may need to repay.
Create a realistic education budget.
Explore bursaries and scholarships.
Consider flexible payment options.
Investigate other government funding programs you may qualify for.
Most importantly, don't make an education decision based on assumptions about how much OSAP you will receive.
Your individual assessment is what matters.
Planning Your Education Financing With CIMT College
Changes to student funding can make choosing a career program feel more complicated—but you don't have to navigate the financial side of your education alone.
CIMT College offers career-focused programs in areas including Business, Healthcare, Information Technology, Community Care, Law and Trades, and provides students with access to financial-assistance information and guidance.
If you're considering starting a program, speak with a CIMT College Education Counselor about your program, eligibility, available financial assistance and payment options.
Explore programs and learn more about financial assistance at CIMT College:
www.cimtcollege.com
Final Thought
OSAP has changed—and those changes are now in effect. But your education funding options don't end with OSAP.
With careful planning and an understanding of grants, loans, bursaries, payment plans and other available funding programs, students can make more informed decisions about investing in their education and future career.
Funding programs, eligibility requirements and amounts can change. Always confirm your eligibility and current funding details with the Government of Ontario, OSAP and the applicable CIMT College financial-aid team before making financial decisions.