Application open for tuition grant

As of January 5, post-secondary students in Ontario were able to apply to receive 30 per cent off of their tuition. Students who apply now will see this grant affect this semester, lowering tuition by $800 for university and college degree students and $365 for college diploma and certificate programs.

The grant is a part of Premier Dalton McGuinty's provincial plan to reduce the cost of tuition for Ontario's universities and colleges. "We've been working hard to make a real difference in the cost of tuition for undergraduate students and their families. This grant will apply to this year's winter term and eligible students will enjoy the lowest tuition costs in the past 10 years," said Glen Murray, the Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities.

As of September 2012, the permanent grant will apply to the entire school year's tuition, totaling $1,600 for degree program students and $730 for diploma and certificate program students.

There are certain requirements that must be met by students before they can apply: students must have graduated from high school within the past four years and their parents' gross income must be below $160,000 annually. For students who receive OSAP, their application for this grant will be submitted automatically.

According to the provincial government, approximately 300,000 students are currently eligible to receive the 30 per cent tuition grant.

The deadline to apply for the January 2012 semester is March 31, 2012. For more information or to apply, visit tinyurl.com/ontariotuitiongrant.