Understanding OSAP: What Students Should Know Before Fall 2026

TORONTO - Many post-secondary students are entering the upcoming academic year with concerns about recent changes to the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) and how these updates could affect financial aid in 2026/27.

While the full impact will vary from student to student, we know that changes to grants and loans can shape important academic and financial decisions, including whether students feel financially able to pursue or continue their post-secondary education in Ontario.

To help prepare, CSA encourages students to explore the Ontario Aid Estimator to get a clearer sense of what their funding could look like before the school year begins.

What Is the OSAP Aid Estimator?

The OSAP Aid Estimator is an online tool provided by the Ontario government that gives students an estimate of grants, loans and total financial assistance available, including funding from both the provincial and federal government. The estimator is not a final calculation, but it can provide a helpful starting point for financial planning before applications open or funding is confirmed.

To complete the estimator, students may need information such as:

• Program and institution information

• Marital status

• Whether you have dependents (children)

• Expected income

• Parents’ or spouse’s income information (if applicable)

• Assets, bursaries or scholarships

Having this information prepared ahead of time can make the process faster and provide a more accurate estimate.

Every change, no matter the size, to grants or loans can affect overall affordability, living expenses, reliance on part-time work and decisions around course loads or continuing studies. Using the estimator early can help students budget for the upcoming year, understand potential funding gaps and explore additional financial support, if needed.

Comparing Student Scenarios

To better understand how OSAP changes may affect students differently, we reviewed several sample student scenarios comparing the 2025/26 and 2026/27 academic years.

In each of these six scenarios, student grants are reduced (see below). However, the extent of the reduction and the corresponding increase in loan funding varies significantly across scenarios.

Reductions in Student Grants (Non-Repayable) from Sept. 2025 to Sept. 2026

Our preliminary assessment suggests that some marginalized student communities, such as students with dependents, may experience larger reductions in grant funding and, as a result, greater impacts on their financial circumstances and educational decision-making.

These differences highlight why it is important for students to calculate their own estimated aid rather than relying on generalized assumptions.

Share Your Experience

While financial planning tools can help students prepare, student concerns also demonstrate the importance of continued advocacy for affordable and accessible post-secondary education in Ontario.

This is why the College Student Alliance (CSA) and Ontario Undergraduate Student Alliance (OUSA) want to hear directly from students about how OSAP changes may impact your educational experience and financial planning.

COMPLETE THE OSAP SURVEY 

*Survey closes May 31, 2026.

Your feedback will help inform our advocacy efforts with the Ontario government and strengthen student-centered policy recommendations.

Additional Financial Planning Resources

• Scholarships Canada - Find additional scholarships / bursaries.

• Student Awards - Find additional scholarships / bursaries.

• OSAP Repayment Calculator - Calculate your monthly loan repayments post-graduation.

• Ontario Learn and Stay Grant - Funding available for select healthcare programs.

• Better Jobs Ontario - Funding available for select training programs.

• Budget Planner - Financially prepare for the upcoming academic year.

• Campus Financial Aid Offices - Find financial support on your individual campus.