New $50 for changing university applications unfair, say Ottawa school board stakeholders

Stakeholders with the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board say that it is unfair for Ontario students to pay a $50 fee if they change their minds about where to apply to university. Under the current system, all students are required to pay a base fee of $150 to submit up to three applications. But if students wish to apply to additional schools, they must pay $50 for each additional school. CBC reports that in previous years, students had the option of changing their minds about their three choices without facing financial penalties. “I think that if [students] have paid to apply to a university through OUAC, they shouldn't be charged a supplemental fee,” said OCDSB student trustee Kayvon Mihan. OUAC acting executive director George Granger, however, says that the new fee is not about generating revenue, but instead making the application process more equitable and encouraging students to be thoughtful about their choices. CBC