Ontario to audit private post-secondary schools as OSAP pause continues

The Ministry of Colleges and Universities says it’s working on a system-wide audit of private, post-secondary institutions, as the provincial investigation into Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) continues.

Last week, investigators from the Ministry of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security (MCURES) began in-person inspections at eight private career colleges.

Investigators successfully gathered information and interviewed individuals at these career colleges. 

“As we continue the investigations, we are working on program criteria for banks and financial institutions that could facilitate third-party loans for students,” Nolan Quinn, minister of colleges and universities, said in a statement.

“At the same time, we are working to develop a strengthened validation process for private postsecondary institutions associated with OSAP approvals for the 2026-27 academic year.”

READ MORE: Pause on OSAP at private post-secondary institutions to stay in effect until new year

Quinn said this process is expected to launch in the new year, once the government has introduced and subject to the legislature passed bills to enhance OSAP accountability and oversight of private postsecondary institutions.

“To protect against irregularities or fraud, OSAP will not resume for private postsecondary institutions until the strengthened validation process is in place,” he said.

“Proposed measures will include caps on OSAP-funded enrollment, the exclusion of predominantly online-only programs and strengthened student identification and verification controls.”

Quinn said although it is necessary to protect the integrity of OSAP and to protect Ontario taxpayers from abuse, they understand the impact that this work is having on students and families across the province and will provide updates when work progresses.

READ MORE: OSAP pause leads career college to suspend classes