Thousands of OSAP applications came from same IP address: Ministry
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Two career colleges currently being scrutinized by the Ontario government reportedly saw more than half of the thousands of student financial aid applications last year come from the same IP address, officials alleged in court documents.
Toronto Life also reports the province received more than 200 tips about a network of schools, which included allegations that some recruiters were wrongfully submitting students’ Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) applications and completed their coursework, according to the documents.
The Academy of Learning , one private career college implicated in the documents filed by the Ministry of Colleges and Universities, has denied all allegations of wrongdoing and is seeking a judicial review of the province’s decision to withhold funding. It also noted it cut ties with some recruiters and tightened admissions practices.
What is a career college?
In Ontario, a career college is a for-profit or non-profit post-secondary business that provides short-term, job-specific vocational training. They offer certificate and diploma programs in fields such as applied arts, information technology, trades and human resources. Students go to such schools to get specific skills to help them stand out in the workforce. They’re regulated by the province through the Superintendent of Career Colleges. Examples of career colleges in Ontario include the aforementioned Academy of Learning, Medix College , triOS or CIMT.
Province under fire
The province recently froze OSAP funding at all private career colleges after it announced it would audit the sector after it came under scrutiny over how it handled OSAP payments at such institutions. Critics said Queen’s Park failed to provide enough oversight of the program or didn’t promptly act on potential fraud. They also argued changes to the OSAP funding model made in February unduly punished students who rely on the money to study at other institutions.
Arguing the previous system was financially unsustainable, the province implemented changes that affected the provincial portion of OSAP, reducing the maximum amount of grant money students can receive from 85% to 25%.