Ontario to cap OSAP growth at career colleges following massive increases

TORONTO — Career colleges in Ontario could soon be subject to limits on growth of students funded by financial aid, under legislation to be introduced Monday.

Colleges and Universities Minister Nolan Quinn is announcing a host of changes to rules governing the sector, after concerns emerged about massive Ontario Student Assistance Program increases seen at some private career colleges.

The legislation would also limit OSAP funding to in-person and hybrid programs at those institutions, require them to have a physical location, and prohibit them from operating unrelated businesses on campus.

Quinn has said that concerns about career colleges being co-located with immigration and recruitment firms are among issues raised by an ongoing KPMG audit of the sector.

The minister says Ontario’s post-secondary system is intended to prepare students for in-demand careers, and any misuse of the system “for personal, predatory gain is entirely unacceptable.”

While the KPMG audit is ongoing, Quinn has paused OSAP payments to all private post-secondary institutions, causing some students to drop out and some colleges to consider closing their doors.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 12, 2026.

Allison Jones, The Canadian Press