Ford and Minister of Colleges and Universities to make announcement today

Premier Doug Ford will be joined by Ross Romano, Minister of Colleges and Universities, to make an announcement at Queen’s Park on Thursday afternoon.

The announcement is expected to come after Ontario reduced financial barriers to postsecondary education by allowing full-time students most in need to apply for the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) for the 2020-21 school year.

“Investing in higher education is one of the most important investments a person can make in their future,” Romano said in a statement on Wednesday.

“To help ensure today’s students, and tomorrow’s entrepreneurs, innovators, and workers can obtain the skills they need to succeed in a highly competitive global economy, our government is helping to remove the financial barriers to postsecondary education.”

• See also: 
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  • Post-secondary students talk about life at school during a pandemic
  • Doug Ford says Ontario schools will not reopen

According to the province, for many students, the loans they receive from OSAP are their first major financial commitment.

To support a greater understanding of the program and the responsibilities as an OSAP recipient, applicants will be required to complete an information module that highlights basic information about the student assistance program and financial literacy.

Due to the pandemic, the government is providing a six-month temporary deferral of OSAP loan payments and interest accrual on OSAP loans from March 30 to September 30, 2020 to support OSAP borrowers in good standing.

The province has also worked with postsecondary institutions to support virtual learning and virtual exams.

“The government is now preparing for the 2020-21 school year by working closely with the province’s colleges and universities to ensure students receive the high-caliber education and training they need to obtain rewarding careers,” the province said.

Acting on the advice of the Chief Medical Officer of Health, Ontario’s postsecondary institutions are developing their plans for the fall term — exploring a range of delivery options depending on the trajectory of the pandemic.

The daily press conference will be held at 1 pm on Thursday, May 21 at Queen’s Park.