Shaping policy one letter at a time
Students at Humber Polytechnic and the University of Guelph-Humber came together to call for changes to OSAP, turning their concerns into letters addressed directly to the decision-makers. Here’s what you missed.
A letter may seem like a small thing. But when students come together to share their experiences and call for change, those letters become part of a much larger conversation.
From Oct, 19 to 27, IGNITE’s Student Write Back campaign invited students to make their voice heard on the future of OSAP and write to their Members of Provincial Parliament (MPPs). Through on-campus letter-writing pop-ups, students could send postcards or sign pre-written letters addressed to their local MPPs, supporting IGNITE’s recommendations for rebuilding OSAP.
The campaign is part of IGNITE’s broader advocacy efforts following changes to OSAP that have raised concerns about access to post-secondary education and the financial pressures students face.
Working alongside student unions across Ontario, IGNITE is calling on the provincial government to restore and rebuild the program.
By the end of the campaign, 1539 letters had been written by students, adding their voice to the call for change.
The message for the collective
At the centre of the campaign were the three key recommendations, along with a few additional recommendations that we want the provincial government to adopt.
Remove interest on provincial student loans
IGNITE is calling for the permanent removal of interest on the provincial portion of OSAP loans. The recommendation aims to reduce the financial burden on graduates and allow them to put more of their income toward establishing themselves after school.
Extend the repayment grace period to 12 months
IGNITE is also advocating for an extension of the interest-free repayment grace period from six months to 12 months. The additional time would give graduates more opportunity to find stable employment before beginning loan repayment.
Introduce an Ontario Workers Retention Grant
The third recommendation proposes forgiving a portion of OSAP debt for graduates who remain in Ontario to work. The goal is to help graduates establish their careers in the province while encouraging Ontario to retain its skilled workforce.
Together, these recommendations gave students different ways to participate in the conversation about student financial aid.
Why students showed up
For some participants, the importance of OSAP was personal.
Ashley Wettlaufer, a criminal justice student who currently receives OSAP funding, spoke about how the program has eased the stress of financing her education.
“It reduced a lot of stress on me because I was able to have that secure funding,” she said.
Others joined the campaign out of solidarity with students who rely on financial assistance.
Ragini D., a marketing management student who does not currently rely on OSAP, attended to show her support. As a newcomer to Canada, she said she could understand how difficult it might be for someone to lose access to an opportunity they believed they were originally granted.
“I just want to show my empathy and be there, you know, for the right cause,” she said.
And just like the two students, many others showed up and spoke up, whether it was standing up for themselves or for others.
The message was clear: Post-secondary education must remain accessible.
Speaking up has never been easier
Marketing management student Aastha Jariwala shared similar concerns about the financial barriers that can prevent students from pursuing their education. She joined Students Write Back to support those who may struggle to continue their studies because of financial pressures.
“I think this is a very good initiative because people, when they come together, they have the more majority,” she said, highlighting the importance of collective action.
For Aastha, the campaign was about more than the students participating that day. It was an opportunity to advocate for future generations and encourage decision-makers to recognize that financial circumstances should not stand in the way of pursuing an education.
To make participation easier, Students Write Back gave students a straightforward way to contact their elected representatives. At the pop-ups, students could register through MyIGNITE, choose between signing a pre-written letter or writing a postcard, and receive assistance finding their local MPP’s mailing address. IGNITE provided the address and postage, allowing students to focus on what mattered most: making their voices heard.
Impact in numbers
1539 student stories were written to 94 MPPs! Whether you wrote a letter, signed ours or showed your support in solidarity, you showed up for yourself, your peers and the next generation of students.
And the impact is far more than the number of letters! Your individual perspective on each unique letter reveals something equally important: advocacy starts with a personal experience, a concern for a friend or a desire for accessibility.
Students Write Back gave students a direct way to communicate those concerns to their elected representatives. It also created an opportunity to learn who their MPP is, understand how to contact them and take part in a broader conversation about OSAP.
The campaign may have wrapped up, but the questions at its heart remain important. How can financial assistance better support students? How can graduates be given more time to establish themselves? And how can Ontario retain the talent it helps educate?
IGNITE may have laid the path, but it was students who laced up their shoes, showed up and took the steps toward change.
Every letter signed, every concern shared and every voice raised was a reminder that advocacy doesn’t happen by waiting for change. It happens when people decide to be part of it.
Students Write Back may have come to an end for now, but the voices behind it deserve to carry forward. The next chapter of OSAP advocacy is still being written, and students have a place in shaping what’s on the page.
Feature photo by IGNITE
Renting this semester? Check out red flags to watch for in a landlord’s listing
