To: The Honourable Nolan Quinn, Minister of Colleges and Universities, Government of Ontario 

THE PETITION 

We, the undersigned students, families, graduates, workers, and concerned members of the public, call on the Government of Ontario to protect students whose education and graduation plans are being disrupted by the pause in OSAP funding for students attending private career colleges. 

THE ISSUE 

• Students who have followed the rules, maintained their academic standing, and invested substantial time, money, and effort into their education are being placed in an extremely difficult financial position. 

• Many affected students cannot afford alternative payment plans or additional private loans and may be forced to interrupt or withdraw from programs they have worked hard to complete. 

• Some students are close to graduation, while others depend on OSAP to continue into the next academic year and finish their programs. 

• Transferring to another institution may not be a realistic solution for every student because previously completed credits may not be accepted, potentially resulting in lost time, additional debt, and years of additional schooling. 

• Students should not have their education and career goals placed out of reach because of alleged or confirmed misconduct by other parties when those individual students have themselves complied with requirements. 

• The disruption affects students, their families, household finances, future employment, and the communities that depend on qualified workers. 

WE CALL ON THE GOVERNMENT OF ONTARIO TO: 

• Immediately review the impact of the OSAP pause on students attending affected private career colleges. 

• Provide a fair pathway for eligible students who have maintained academic standing and complied with OSAP requirements to continue receiving appropriate financial assistance. 

• Create individual reviews, exemptions, transitional measures, or another workable solution for students who would otherwise be forced to withdraw through no fault of their own. 

• Protect students who are nearing graduation or are partway through a program from losing the educational progress they have already earned. 

• Ensure that students are not required to assume unaffordable private loans or payment plans as the only way to remain enrolled. 

• Clearly communicate timelines, eligibility rules, review procedures, and available supports to affected students. 

• Distinguish individual students who have complied with the rules from any institutions, organizations, or individuals under investigation for fraud or misuse of public funding. 

• Work toward a solution that allows eligible students to complete their programs and enter the workforce rather than abandoning their education because of circumstances beyond their control. 

OUR POSITION 

We support reasonable action to investigate and address fraud or misuse of the OSAP system. However, students who are not responsible for such conduct should not be left without a viable path to finish their education. Students who have worked hard, maintained their academic standing, and complied with the requirements should have a meaningful opportunity to complete the education they have already begun.

OSAP Student Petition • Signature Page 0 • Page 1 

REQUEST: We respectfully call on the Government of Ontario, the Minister of Colleges and Universities, and the appropriate decision-makers to listen to affected students and establish an immediate, fair, transparent, and student-centred solution. 

Target: 200,000 signatures 

By signing below, I support this petition and the requests outlined above. Please print clearly and provide one signature per line.