Are you eligible for the new Ontario Tuition Rebate?

The Ontario government announced its "30% Off Ontario Tuition grant" on January 5. This money is available to a select group of college and university students who finished high school in the last four years (after December 2007), according to the government eligibility rules.

The tuition rebate is intended to help recent high school graduates with the costs of their post-secondary education. International students and students that have been out of high school longer than four years are NOT eligible for the grant.

If you are a student who has applied for OSAP and received your funding for January, and have supplied your banking information, you will be assessed for this grant automatically by the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities. The funds will be deposited directly into your bank account, if you qualify.

If you have not applied for OSAP but meet the eligibility requirements (below) you can apply directly on-line at Ontario.ca/30off by March 31.

Tuition rebate eligibility rules:

• You are a full-time student at a public college or university in Ontario
• You left high school after December 2007
• Your gross family income is $160,000 or less
• You are a Canadian citizen, a permanent resident or a protected person

For complete rebate details, please visit the government website.