Politics · Canada · 6 hrs ago
Ontario police review alleged misuse of student aid at career colleges
Ontario has cut off all 242 eligible career colleges from OSAP while it examines alleged misuse of student aid.
The allegations involve six private colleges accused by the provincial government of improperly using taxpayer-funded loans.
The government said it found unusually high concentrations of applications from the same areas and links between some colleges and immigration services firms.
The Ontario Provincial Police are reviewing the allegations but have not decided whether to launch a formal criminal investigation.
The Auditor General’s office says it was notified, but the government did not request a formal performance audit.
Students already approved for aid may be affected, and Career Colleges Ontario is urging the government to restore funding for students attending in-person classes.
The government’s review is ongoing, and the police have not provided a timeline for their assessment.
Ontario police are reviewing allegations of misuse of student aid at private career colleges but have not decided whether to open a formal criminal investigation.
The province suspended OSAP funding for all 242 Ontario career colleges eligible for the program while it examines the issue.
The allegations concern six colleges that the Ministry of Colleges and Universities said engaged in “egregious use of taxpayer dollars.”
The ministry cited unusually high concentrations of applications from the same locations and links between some colleges and immigration services firms.
Career Colleges Ontario is urging the government to restore aid for students already approved for funding and attending in-person classes.
- Who
- Ontario Provincial Police are reviewing allegations involving six private career colleges.
- What
- The allegations concern misuse of OSAP student aid. Police have not decided whether to open a formal criminal investigation.
- When
- The OPP review was reported on October 14, 2026; the ministry raised concerns in early October.
- Where
- Ontario.
- Why
- The province is examining allegations of misuse, including unusually high concentrations of applications from the same locations and links to immigration services firms.
Ontario government
Career Colleges Ontario
OSAP funding
Ontario government
The government suspended OSAP funding for all 242 eligible career colleges while examining the scope of the problem.
Career Colleges Ontario
The association says aid should be reinstated for students already approved for funds and attending in-person classes.
Response to concerns
Ontario government
The government is examining allegations involving six colleges.
Career Colleges Ontario
The association says the government should take targeted action rather than disrupt students’ education.
Career Colleges Ontario says it had been warning the government about possible misuse of OSAP since this year.
The Ministry of Colleges and Universities raised concerns about six private career colleges.
Minister Nolan Quinn said the government had notified the Auditor General and referred the matter to the OPP.
The OPP said the allegations were under review and that it had not decided whether to launch a formal criminal probe.
- Colleges under scrutiny
- 6 private career colleges
- OSAP-eligible career colleges
- 242 in Ontario
- Police status
- Allegations under review; no decision on a formal criminal probe
- Funding status
- OSAP funding suspended for all eligible Ontario career colleges
- Auditor General
- Received a notification from the government, not a formal value-for-money audit request
What people are saying
I am not able to provide an estimated timeline for the review
unusually high concentrations of OSAP applications submitted from the same geographic locations
immigration services firms