Cambridge high school students call OSAP changes ‘absolutely outrageous’

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Students in Cambridge protest OSAP changes

Students in Cambridge, Ont. protest OSAP changes

Hundreds of high school students from three schools in Cambridge joined forces Thursday afternoon to protest OSAP changes.

Last month, the provincial government announced it would be giving colleges and universities a major funding boost, lifting a seven-year tuition freeze and decrease grant funding through OSAP. The change means many students will need to rely on loans to pay for their schooling.

Previously, the model offered up to 85 per cent of funding in grants. It will now offer just 25 per cent in grants and the rest will be given as a loan.

Students taking part in the protest said it was a direct attack on their education.

“Doug Ford’s cuts are absolutely outrageous,” said Hejwa Shirzai, a Grade 12 student. “What he’s done is absolutely not OK especially for me ‘cause I come from a very low-income household. My mother is disabled, so unfortunately, she cannot work and my father and her are separated.”

Thursday’s protest is one of dozens that have been taking place across Ontario in the last several weeks.

Cambridge students said they feel blindsided by the changes.

“I would’ve planned for it, but it happens so suddenly that all of us are shocked, disappointed and distressed and hurt,” Shirzai said.

The provincial government has defended the OSAP changes, saying it’s the only way to make the program sustainable.