OSAP process opens early

College and university students can apply for financial aid for next year starting now — four months earlier than usual.

Premier Kathleen Wynne and Minister Deb Matthews made the announcement Wednesday at a public high school in Mississauga.

In a campaign-style event, the two also touted the province’s “free tuition” plan, which came into effect for this school year, with more than 210,000 students receiving nonrepayable grants equal to or greater than their tuition fees.

The government has also previously announced that students don’t have to repay their loans until they are earning at least $35,000 a year.

The government’s move to open the OSAP early is to give students and their parents more time to plan. For this school year, applications were up 20 per cent.