The alarm buzzes at 5:30 a.m. for Sarah Chen, a third-year nursing student at Ryerson University. By 7:00, she’s serving coffee at her part-time job. After classes end at 4:00 p.m., she starts her second job as a retail associate, finishing around 9:00 p.m. – just in time to tackle a few hours of studying before repeating the cycle.
“I’m exhausted all the time,” Chen tells me over a hurried lunch between classes. “But what choice do I have? My OSAP doesn’t cover half of what I need.”
Chen’s experience mirrors a troubling trend I’ve observed across Toronto campuses. Ontario students are facing unprecedented financial pressure in 2024, caught between rising costs and stagnant support systems.
A recent survey by the Ontario Undergraduate Student Alliance (OUSA) found that 78% of respondents reported experiencing financial stress that negatively impacted their academic performance – up 12% from just two years ago.
“We’re seeing students making impossible choices,” explains Maya Rodriguez, student union president at York University. “Do I pay rent or buy textbooks? Can I afford both food and transportation this month?”
The numbers tell a sobering story. According to Statistics Canada, Ontario tuition for undergraduate programs averages $7,938 for the 2023-2024 academic year. While this represents only a modest 2% increase from last year, it’s the accumulation of costs that’s creating the crisis.
Toronto’s rental market compounds the problem. The average one-bedroom apartment now commands $2,300 monthly – consuming nearly all of a student’s part-time earnings. Even shared accommodations rarely dip below $1,000 per person.
“I’m paying $1,250 for a bedroom in a house with four other students,” says Marcus Williams, a second-year computer science major at University of Toronto. “Three years ago, the same room was $850. My OSAP hasn’t increased to match that.”
The Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) remains the primary financial lifeline for many students, but recent policy changes have left gaps. The maximum amount available has not kept pace with inflation, while the threshold for qualification has tightened.
Ministry of Colleges and Universities spokesperson Terri Collins defended the current system, noting that “Ontario invested $1.1 billion in OSAP for the 2023-2024 academic year, providing support to over 300,000 students.”
However, Dr. Elizabeth Morgan, an education economist at McMaster University, points out that this funding hasn’t maintained its real value. “When adjusted for inflation and rising costs, today’s OSAP provides significantly less purchasing power than it did five years ago,” she explains.
The employment landscape offers little relief. While Ontario’s job market has recovered post-pandemic, student-friendly positions remain competitive. More concerning is how work hours affect academic outcomes.
“I’m seeing a direct correlation between increased work hours and decreased academic performance,” notes Dr. Anand Sharma, who studies student success factors at Western University. “Students working more than 20 hours weekly show measurably poorer outcomes, yet financial necessity drives many beyond this threshold.”
Food insecurity has emerged as another indicator of student financial strain. Campus food banks report record demand in 2024, with some serving twice as many students as in 2022.
The Meal Exchange, a national charity addressing student food insecurity, found that 39% of Ontario students experienced some form of food insecurity last year – choosing cheaper, less nutritious options or skipping meals entirely to make ends meet.
“We’re seeing students who’ve never needed support before,” says Alisha Grewal, coordinator of U of T’s student food bank. “These aren’t just international students or those from low-income backgrounds – it’s affecting a much broader population.”
Technology requirements add another layer of expense. Most programs now require specific software subscriptions, laptop specifications, and online access codes for course materials – costs that didn’t exist a generation ago.
“My program requires specialized design software that costs $240 annually,” explains Jin Park, a graphic design student at OCAD University. “That’s on top of my $1,200 laptop purchase and $900 in digital textbooks this year alone.”
Some institutions are responding with expanded on-campus employment programs, emergency bursaries, and textbook affordability initiatives. The University of Toronto recently announced a $5 million increase to its work-study program, while Western University launched a “basic needs” fund providing emergency grants up to $1,500.
Student advocates argue these measures, while helpful, address symptoms rather than causes. The Canadian Federation of Students-Ontario continues pushing for broader reforms, including tuition reduction, increased OSAP funding, and expanded grant programs.
“We need systemic change, not band-aid solutions,” argues Kayla Thompson, the organization’s chairperson. “Education is becoming a privilege rather than a right, and that undermines the entire purpose of public higher education.”
As I wrap up my conversation with Sarah Chen, she checks her watch – her next shift starts in 20 minutes. I ask about her plans after graduation.
“Honestly? I’ll be working to pay off my loans,” she says with a tired smile. “The irony isn’t lost on me – I’m going into debt to get a job to pay off that debt.”
For thousands of Ontario students, that’s the price of learning in 2024.
