Net billing might be most significant aspect of ON higher ed changes

While Ontario has provoked many headlines with its free tuition announcement, the introduction of net billing for higher ed might be just as big of a cause for celebration, writes Laura Bassett for the Ontario Undergraduate Student Alliance. Ontario provided student aid prior to the latest announcement, she adds, but the system has not been designed to clearly tell students what PSE will actually cost. Under the new system, provincial grants and entrance scholarships can be deducted up-front from the cost of tuition, allowing students to see the exact cost, after deductions, a given school. “By providing them with the full picture sooner rather than later,” concludes Bassett, “the government is making bold changes to student financial assistance that decrease informational and psychological barriers to access.” OUSA