Ontario’s $25-million emergency investment in higher education promotes student success

The Ontario government’s announcement today of $25 million in emergency funding for post-secondary education is a major investment in student success as the province continues to tackle the COVID-19 outbreak.  

“This is a great investment in our students and everything we’re doing to help them complete their studies,” said Glenn Vollebregt, President and CEO, St. Lawrence College. “Our staff and faculty have had great success delivering programs in an alternative format during this difficult time. This emergency funding will help ensure the resources are in place to support continued success.” 

Colleges and Universities Minister Ross Romano announced today the province has provided $25 million to colleges, universities and Indigenous institutes to mitigate some of the early costs of addressing the COVID-19 outbreak. 

The funding addresses a range of fiscal pressures including support for students stranded in a community, the purchase of cleaning and medical supplies, the costs for physical and mental health resources, and the added expense of transitioning to remote learning. 

Ontario’s colleges announced on March 13 that in-person classes were being cancelled to protect the health and safety of students and staff.The colleges have implemented alternate measures to deliver programs such as online learning and testing. St. Lawrence College is providing its students the opportunity to complete the winter semester through alternate delivery, which includes online learning, digital simulations, and collaborating using conference and digital platforms.    

“We thank the government and Minister Romano for their commitment to our students. This emergency funding will make a difference,” Vollebregt said.

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