[lorend]

The Ontario Government has just announced some large and important changes for OSAP. Please check out this article: http://www.news.ontario.ca/tcu/en/20...n-ontario.html

I've skimmed the article and this looks like very good news. I'm very happy the TTG will increase (though I'm sure this will only go up to $300 and not what students actually spend, which is more like $800), and that students can finally make more than $50 per week without having their OSAP reduced.

I'm disappointed that there doesn't seem to be anything about altering how much they consider parental income into OSAP funding...

I would also like to know how this will affect out-of-province students.

This is how liberal>conservative. I am pleased at the gov't for once, even if just provincial.

I read that and just kept smiling.

does anyone know when these changes will officially be put into effect?

More help for married students and students with children.

Sweet!

Originally Posted by Kathy2

I'm disappointed that there doesn't seem to be anything about altering how much they consider parental income into OSAP funding...

This is nice, but I wish they would've extended OSAP funding to more students as well. But still, maybe in the future.

The income exemption is SO cash! Right now we are basically punished for trying not to be wards of the state, which is ridiculous... especially when my friends get full OSAP support and I get cut off because they get paid cash and keep their income off the books, while I have to declare it.

The whole article is hot, but i like thissss:

Doubling of the student income exemption
Students will be able to keep more of the income they earn while in school without it affecting their OSAP funding. Currently, students can earn up to $50 per week during their studies before their OSAP funding starts to be reduced. To help students keep more of their income while in school, the government is doubling the income exemption to just over $100 per week. The exemption will increase annually to keep pace with inflation.

we'll see how it goes. Last OSAP screwed me over regardless. I'd really like to see how it will work out with the doubling of the student weekly income.

It actually amazes me that it took so long for OSAP to allow students to make more than $50 per week.

It makes no sense. The McWork Program is funded by the government. Pretty much every McWork job during the year works out to students working 10 hours per week, which is $100 per week.

You can't get a McWork job unless you are eligible for OSAP.
But you don't get as much OSAP if you make more than $50 per week.

??? It makes no sense. Thank god they're finally changing it.

Originally Posted by ytpos

This is nice, but I wish they would've extended OSAP funding to more students as well. But still, maybe in the future.

I agree. I like the changes they have made; but wouldn't it be better to give some money to more students, rather than a lot of money to a few students?

Even though I would directly benefit from some of these changes, I would prefer if these changes didn't happen and instead, OSAP changed the policies on parent income/OSAP eligiblity.