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.
“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.