Preparing for a dynamnic future
As a knowledge-based economy with increasing interconnection to the global economy, one thing in Ontario is truer now than ever - when Ontario students reach their full potential, Ontario reaches its full potential.Ontario is a leader in information technology, medical research, automotive research and innovation, new and green energy development, computer animation, space technologies and telecommunications. There are 19 publicly funded universities in the province, as well as the Ontario College of Art and Design. By investing in these vital institutions, Ontario is investing in the future of its students, economy and society.
The 2008 Ontario Budget featured post-secondary support with the $1.5 billion Skills to Jobs Action Plan, featuring new investments in the province's universities, colleges, training programs, and students, including:
- An investment of $264 million for major capital projects at universities across Ontario, building greater capacity and higher-quality learning environments for students.
- New funding for campus renewal - renovating classrooms, improving energy efficiency and providing better security.
- A new textbook and technology grant for full-time students, helping offset the costs of textbooks, computers and other supplies and equipment.
- A new distance grant, helping students in remote and rural areas cover the costs of travelling long distances to get an education.
- New funding to create 1,750 new internship opportunities over four years for graduate students, helping to give them an edge and increase links between universities and the private sector.
The result is new opportunities for students across Ontario, improved facilities, better library and lab resources, more professors, a higher quality of education and a better post-secondary experience for all students.
For students, this means access to world-class university education in virtually any career imaginable, with access after graduation to jobs with some of the best, most dynamic employers in the world.
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More opportunities for students
Full-time student enrolment continues to grow as students from across Canada and around the world are drawn to the high quality of Ontario's universities.
Financial support programs for Ontario students have been improved, with a guarantee that no qualified Ontario student will be prevented from pursuing a post-secondary education due to a lack of financial support programs.
About 84,000 university students per year are benefiting from improvements to Ontario's student assistance programs, including a limit of $7,000 per year on student debt and access grants to students from low- and middle-income families.
The 2008 budget's $465-million, three-year Student Access, Student Excellence funding is further enhancing support for students with new grants, new internship opportunities, improved funding for at-risk students and a broader focus on attracting international students.
The province has also focused on reinvesting in university infrastructure across Ontario, expanding facilities and upgrading classroom and laboratory spaces to ensure all students get the best quality education possible.
This investment is supporting new satellite campuses, more student spaces, new programs and improved facilities.
Universities and the economy
Universities help Ontario's economy succeed by giving students the education they need to reach their full potential.
Universities also build partnerships with the business community that help to connect the private sector with researchers at universities, which can result in businesses developing new products and technologies.
Investments in 1,750 new internships over the next four years will also help build new bridges between universities and leading businesses across Ontario, and provide exciting new opportunities for graduate students.
Financing need not be a barrier
The Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) provides financial assistance to all eligible Ontario students. To be considered for OSAP, a student must be a Canadian citizen and permanent resident of Ontario. For students from a Canadian province other than Ontario, their home province may provide funding if they are accepted by an Ontario university.
Since 2002-03, the province has doubled its investment in student aid, increasing support most dramatically to students from low- to middle-income families and to students facing increased barriers to success.
Enhancements to Ontario's student aid program have included:
As well, individual donors, service clubs, corporations, institutions and community-based agencies may provide bursaries and scholarships on the basis of need, merit and/or field of study.
More opportunities for students
Full-time student enrolment continues to grow as students from across Canada and around the world are drawn to the high quality of Ontario's universities.
Financial support programs for Ontario students have been improved, with a guarantee that no qualified Ontario student will be prevented from pursuing a post-secondary education due to a lack of financial support programs.
About 84,000 university students per year are benefiting from improvements to Ontario's student assistance programs, including a limit of $7,000 per year on student debt and access grants to students from low- and middle-income families.
The 2008 budget's $465-million, three-year Student Access, Student Excellence funding is further enhancing support for students with new grants, new internship opportunities, improved funding for at-risk students and a broader focus on attracting international students.
The province has also focused on reinvesting in university infrastructure across Ontario, expanding facilities and upgrading classroom and laboratory spaces to ensure all students get the best quality education possible.
This investment is supporting new satellite campuses, more student spaces, new programs and improved facilities.
Universities and the economy
Universities help Ontario's economy succeed by giving students the education they need to reach their full potential.
Universities also build partnerships with the business community that help to connect the private sector with researchers at universities, which can result in businesses developing new products and technologies.
Investments in 1,750 new internships over the next four years will also help build new bridges between universities and leading businesses across Ontario, and provide exciting new opportunities for graduate students.
Financing need not be a barrier
The Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) provides financial assistance to all eligible Ontario students. To be considered for OSAP, a student must be a Canadian citizen and permanent resident of Ontario. For students from a Canadian province other than Ontario, their home province may provide funding if they are accepted by an Ontario university.
Since 2002-03, the province has doubled its investment in student aid, increasing support most dramatically to students from low- to middle-income families and to students facing increased barriers to success.
Enhancements to Ontario's student aid program have included:
- Increasing maximum available aid by 27 per cent while limiting student debt.
- Increasing funding for books and supplies, including the new Textbook and Technology Grant which provides $150 per full-time student this year, increasing to $300 when fully implemented.
As well, individual donors, service clubs, corporations, institutions and community-based agencies may provide bursaries and scholarships on the basis of need, merit and/or field of study.