A hairdresser and single mother of four, Wesselink says her income has dropped amid public health measures for COVID-19. So she returned to school in 2020 to pursue a degree at the University of Toronto that she hoped would build a better future for herself and her children. When the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) began accepting applications in May of this year, Wesselink applied immediately. But more than 13 weeks later, she’s still waiting. “I’m wondering if I should go ahead with the school year,” Wesslelink said. “I don’t even know if I’m getting funding. I don’t know my amount. I don’t know when I’m getting it.” Wesselink is not alone. Many students contacted CBC Toronto saying they have been waiting weeks longer than in previous years for news about their OSAP applications or to receive the money, and many are still waiting. Wesselink has made child care arrangements and reduced her work schedule to take classes in person, but now she’s not sure if she’ll be able to stay on schedule. (Submitted by Amy Wesselink) In 2020 and 2021, her first two years of study at Indigenous, Wesselink received her funding in August. But now, with her classes starting, she has no way to pay the $7,800 tuition. She says she’s contacted everyone from the Department of Colleges and Universities to OSAP to her school’s enrollment department, but has been offered no solutions. “I did everything I had to do. I submitted everything. I did it early. You just don’t have any options. There’s nobody who can give you answers,” he said. She has arranged childcare and reduced her work schedule so she can take classes in person, all of which add to the costs she is already incurring to continue her education. Azi Afousi, president of the College Student Alliance, says the organization has heard of long OSAP delays. (CBC News) Azi Afousi, president of the College Student Alliance, a provincial advocacy organization, says that while it doesn’t happen in all cases, she does hear of some students who have waited more than 12 weeks. “I’ve never heard of OSAP delays at this level. I’ve never heard of so many students coming to student unions and financial aid offices with complaints about OSAP delays,” he said. The organization has been in contact with the province, but hasn’t received any real response, says Pofosi.
The ministry denies pending cases
Colleges and Universities Minister Jill Dunlop denies there are any significant delays. “I can assure the students that the money is coming out the door,” he told CBC Toronto. It says there are certain situations that require additional review by staff and which is conducted in a timely manner. The ministry also encourages interested students to contact their school’s financial aid offices or check the OSAP website. Ontario Colleges and Universities Minister Jill Dunlop says the money is flowing to students. (Steve Russell/The Canadian Press) For its part, the National Student Loan Service Center, which disburses the money to students, also says it is experiencing no delays. “We are not aware of any general delays at the provincial level in processing records or at schools in confirming enrollment,” the center said in an email. “It is, however, possible that some schools confirm student enrollment more slowly than others.” But the University of Toronto says the process is proceeding normally this year. “The majority of our students have already had their loans confirmed and funds disbursed. We continue to process the loans on a daily basis as we receive them,” a U of T spokesperson told CBC Toronto in an email Thursday night. None of this is any comfort to students still waiting as classes begin and more expenses pile up. Bella Mackenzie, a first-year nursing student at Durham College, says that while her OSAP application was recently approved, she still doesn’t have the money. She says her books cost nearly $1,000 and other costs leave her stressed. “I was relying on that money even to be able to pay for my school books, and now I have to pay it out of pocket until I get that money, which can take up to six weeks,” she said. After talking to her financial aid office, Durham College is giving her a grace period to pay her tuition because she can see from her application that the money is coming. But he worries about those who have no certainty that their money is on its way.
“The ministry should be more open,” says the student
Jessica Urzua, a junior at Humber College, spent the entire summer anxiously awaiting news of her application. On the brink of giving up and having exhausted all other options, the mum-of-two recently tweeted the ministry in a last ditch effort before throwing in the towel. After interacting with a ministry staff member via direct messages, her application was processed the next day. Humber College student Jessica Urzua was on the verge of dropping out while waiting to hear back on her OSAP application. (Submitted by Jessica Urzua) He encourages others to reach out in unconventional ways, as he did, to ensure they get the attention they deserve. But he says the provincial government should acknowledge the delays that are occurring. “I feel the ministry needs to be more open with students.”
