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- calendar_today November 9, 2026
OSAP Funding Suspension Puts Dental College at Risk
The Southern Ontario Dental College in Hamilton, which has educated dental hygienists and assistants for 22 years, may soon close its doors as a result of a provincewide suspension of student financial aid. The primary source of assistance, the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP), has been paused for all private post-secondary institutions, leaving both students and the college facing an uncertain future.
High Tuition and Student Hardships
Tuition for the dental programs at Southern Ontario Dental College is high, largely due to the technical and intensive nature of the curriculum. Most students rely on OSAP funding to cover not only tuition but also essentials such as child care, food, and rent. Without access to these funds, students are struggling to make ends meet. In response, the college community has established a food bank to support those in need.
Individual Student Impact
Haylie Eady, a dental hygienist student and single mother, shared concerns about her ability to pay close to $52,000 for the two-year program without OSAP support. Eady previously left her dental assistant job to further her education but has had to resort to taking short-term jobs found online to provide for her children. She recently received a notice of non-payment of rent and expressed worries about her family's stability: “I want a career where I can make a difference, but trying to improve our situation has made things harder for my kids,” she said.
Provincewide Audit Triggers OSAP Pause
Ontario's Minister of Colleges and Universities, Nolan Quinn, announced the OSAP suspension last month, citing serious concerns uncovered during a sector-wide audit of private post-secondary institutions. The province stated that the pause was necessary to protect the integrity of the student funding system, with the government working on developing low-interest, third-party loans in partnership with financial institutions. However, no specific updates have been provided on the progress of those options.
College Officials and Students Voice Concerns
Alysse Estrabillo, Southern Ontario Dental College's chief operating officer, said that without incoming funds from students, the school could be forced to close as early as December. "If we continue to go right now the way that we’re going without collecting any money from the students, we’ll have to close our doors probably in December," Estrabillo stated, emphasizing the devastating impact a closure would have after more than two decades of operation.
Diane Yu, a second-year dental hygiene student, echoed these concerns, noting that the timing of the OSAP pause coincides with critical exams and clinical hours: "This is my third term and I only have one left after this ... This is the most important time of this education and this is the worst timing to face this issue."
Sector-Wide Implications
Information obtained through a freedom-of-information request revealed that provincial OSAP grants to career colleges nearly doubled from 2023-24 to 2024-25, reaching about $1 billion. The government has alleged some institutions failed to verify student attendance or coursework, claims that affected schools have denied. Despite these allegations, students and schools not implicated in any wrongdoing question why a sector-wide pause was implemented instead of a targeted approach.
Premier Doug Ford has stated that auditors have been instructed to prioritize clearing institutions deemed low-risk, but many students remain in limbo, uncertain about their educational futures.
Broader Uncertainty Among Career Colleges
According to Career Colleges Ontario, more institutions may face closure as the funding uncertainty continues. The organization stated, "The ongoing OSAP pause is creating significant uncertainty across the sector, with schools facing mounting pressure and no clear timeline for when students’ funding will resume." The prolonged pause, they caution, could result in harder decisions for school administrators and significant consequences for students.
Looking Ahead
As the Southern Ontario Dental College and its students await resolution, the overarching impact of the OSAP pause continues to be felt across the private post-secondary sector. Many are calling for clearer communication and a more targeted response to concerns about funding integrity.
Related coverage
Source: toronto.citynews.ca.
