Fleming College estimates 10% cut to tuition will lead to $2.5 million in revenue loss

The Ontario government will cut tuition by 10 per cent for post-secondary students in September.

The government pointed to the fact the province has the highest tuition rates in Canada, as well as a strain on the Ontario Student Assistance Program as reasons for the move.

READ MORE: Ontario government cuts tuition fees by 10%, eliminates free tuition for low-income students

The move will save the average university student $660 in tuition and $340 for college students.

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“I think it’s a good thing,” said Ryan Welsh, an Indigenous Studies student at Trent. “It will encourage more people to go to school.”

“I think it’s a really good idea,” added Cameron MacDonald, a history student at Trent.

“It sounds nice, but if you think of changes to OSAP, how much is it really?” asked Debbie Hart, a Trent nursing student.

READ MORE: NDP concerned Ontario government’s planned tuition cut will come with slash to grants

In an emailed statement to Global News, Trent University stated:

Trent University supports attempts to make universities more accessible and affordable for domestic students. Together with the entire post-secondary sector, Trent is reviewing the details and discussing the potential implications of today’s Ontario Government announcement. The University will issue a more formal response at a later time.

A 10 per cent tuition cut will take approximately $360 million away from Ontario universities and $80 million from colleges.

“Just a very early estimation on our part is about 2.5 million in domestic revenue,” said Maureen Adamson, president of Fleming College.  “That’s approximately a 12 per cent decline in our domestic revenue.”

“Folks have been telling me tuition is just a barrier for families,” said David Piccini, parliamentary assistant to the Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities and MPP for Northumberland-Peterborough South.

“This is big for anyone in our community, whether you’re a college or university student or even an apprenticeship student. This will just make things more accessible for families in Northumberland-Peterborough South,” added Piccini.