Who it affects
Students starting a program at a career college on or after August 1, 2026. Programs that started earlier follow the previous rules.
Funding guide · Updated September 2026
OSAP Changes 2026: What You Need to Know
Ontario is changing OSAP for programs starting on or after August 1, 2026. What changed, what didn't, and what it means — in plain language. (Note: CanNorth College does not offer OSAP; this guide is general information.)
What changed
Provincial OSAP becomes loans-only for career college students
Announced on February 12, 2026, the change applies to programs that start on or after August 1, 2026: students at career colleges (private career colleges) will receive the provincial portion of their OSAP funding entirely as repayable loans. Provincial grants — the part that did not need to be repaid — no longer apply to career college programs.
What it covers
Only the provincial portion of OSAP. The federal portion of student aid is a separate system with its own rules.
The wider shift
Public college and university students are also moving to a loans-first model — at most 25% of provincial aid as grants, at least 75% as loans.
Loans still available
OSAP itself is not ending for career college students — provincial loans and the application process remain in place.
What didn't change
Loans and Better Jobs Ontario remain
Repayable student loans remain available to eligible career college students. Better Jobs Ontario, a separate provincial program, is not affected by the OSAP changes at all.
Federal and provincial loans
Repayable student loans remain available to eligible career college students.
Better Jobs Ontario
A separate program for retraining — up to $28,000 for programs of one year or less, including a living allowance. Unaffected by the OSAP changes.
What it means
What this means if you are considering PSW or ECA training
First, an important note: CanNorth College does not offer OSAP. The OSAP changes above are general information for anyone comparing schools. At CanNorth, students fund their training in two ways: Better Jobs Ontario — which, for eligible applicants, can cover tuition, books, transportation, and a basic living allowance of up to $500 per week, without repayment — or a monthly payment plan. Better Jobs Ontario is aimed at people who were laid off, or who have been unemployed 12 weeks or more in a low-income household; every application is decided by the Ministry through Employment Ontario service providers.
OSAP (at schools that use it)
From August 1, 2026: the provincial portion is loans only for career college students. Not available at CanNorth.
Better Jobs Ontario — at CanNorth
Up to $28,000 for programs of one year or less — tuition, books, transportation, and a living allowance of up to $500/week — for eligible applicants. Not repayable.
Payment plans — at CanNorth
Monthly payment plans are available for most students. Ask admissions for current details.
Next step
See if Better Jobs Ontario fits your situation
Our free 30-second self-check tells you whether Better Jobs Ontario looks like a fit — and if it does, our advisors help you prepare the whole application, free of charge.
Sources & disclosure
Official sources
Program rules change; always confirm details against the official pages: Learn about OSAP (ontario.ca) and Better Jobs Ontario (ontario.ca). CanNorth College is registered as a career college under the Ontario Career Colleges Act, 2005. CanNorth College does not offer OSAP; OSAP information on this page is general education news. Better Jobs Ontario eligibility and funding decisions are made solely by the Ministry through Employment Ontario service providers; CanNorth College provides free application guidance but cannot guarantee funding approval. Information on this page is current as of July 2026.