Moving into the new year, the Ford government will decide the future of postsecondary tuition, impacting students’ finances and the Ontario Government’s educational priorities.
On Nov. 14 the Blue-Ribbon Panel on Postsecondary Education Financial Sustainability released their report on financial sustainability for Ontario universities. The report made recommendations to Ontario Minister of Colleges and Universities Jill Dunlop to ensure postsecondary institutions remain financially sustainable.
The report recommends increased funding per-student from the province and a one-time tuition adjustment upwards of five per cent starting in September 2024. Certain programs, such as professional programs, may see tuition adjustments upwards of eight per cent. Following 2024, the report recommends a tuition increase of two per cent annually.
If implemented, Arts and Science students at Queen’s would see a tuition increase of $300 to $500 for the 2024-25 year. The report added the tuition increase must be met with an increase in needs-based student funding.
Recommended changes to the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP), such as eliminating the 10 per cent loan requirement for low-income students, would make Ontario education more accessible, according to the report.
The Ontario Undergraduate Student Alliance (OUSA) responded to the panel’s report, highlighting the benefits of increased funding per-student and more OSAP grants for low-income students. OUSA took issue with the recommended tuition increases.
“In a time where the cost-of-living is out of grasp for many students, increases to tuition will impose a heavy financial burden especially if the aforementioned operating grants and OSAP funding measures aren’t adequately changed to meet student need,” OUSA said in a press release.
Ontario provides 57 per cent less funding per university student compared to the rest of Canada, according to the report. The value of government grants to universities is falling when adjusted for inflation, with nominal increases to operating grants frozen in 2009.
Queen’s University is carrying an operating budget deficit of $62.8 million. According to the report, the tuition freeze has cost Queen’s $174.9 million since 2019, and the quality of students’ education is on the line.
Queen’s declined to comment on the Blue-Ribbon Panel’s report. When The Journal inquired as to the University’s interpretation of the recommendations and its plan for long-term financial sustainability, Queen’s referred The Journal to the Council of Ontario Universities for comment.
The report emphasizes the importance of internal financial health management for higher education institutions. Best practices include the creation of expert panels to provide feedback to administrators when financial challenges are identified, as well as enhancing cost efficiency.
President of the Council of Ontario Universities Steve Orsini welcomed the panel’s recommendations.
“Now that the Panel has produced its blueprint for financial sustainability, Ontario universities are urgently calling on the province to immediately end the tuition freeze and increase operating funds to the sector to ensure students can continue to count on the programs and services they rely on and deserve,” Orsini said in a press release.
Currently reviewing the panel’s recommendations, Colleges and Universities Minister Jill Dunlop was hesitant to endorse a tuition increase without further scrutiny.
“Before agreeing to any tuition increase we need to ensure that colleges and universities are taking the necessary steps to ensure that they are operating as efficiently as possible,” Dunlop said in a press release.
Tags
Blue-Ribbon panel, funding, Ontario, tuition
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