There is more local fallout from the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) controversy at Ontario’s private colleges. Late last week the London campus for Anderson College let 10 of its staff go because of the pause on OSAP payments. It has students like sisters Jorgia, Charly and Emma Gullons worried about making tuition payments. In their 20s and in the same class, the Dental Assistant students each have to come up with $6,300 within one week for their next installment. “It’s very uneasy. Especially if we do end up going to get a student line of credit. If we do pay the school and they do shut down, do we get that back. We don’t know what to do,” said Emma. On top of that, the teacher they’ve bonded with has been let go. “It’s hard for us to want to continue when our teacher’s not here. But they’re trying to continue with the program,” explained Jorgia. “Are the doors going to be locked tomorrow, is our next teacher going to go, is our class the next to go. We have no idea,” added Charly. The provincial government announced last month OSAP payments are paused for students at all private post-secondary institutions after audit findings raised concerns about financial aid usage at some career colleges. Anderson has ten locations across Ontario, with more than 450 students currently enrolled at the London campus. And for many, the fate of their academic futures remains in limbo. Mother of seven, 50-year-old Crystal Mellon is halfway through the Medical Lab program. “So, I’m solely reliant on OSAP as a mother of seven. It’s absolutely heartbreaking, and I’m terrified because I don’t know what I’m going to do,” she said. Medical Laboratory Assistant Technician lead instructor Christy Bruinink was one of 10 staff members let go last Friday. “Unfortunately, this has come to a head and we’re starting to see the layoffs with my fellow co-workers and staff. Oh, it’s just devastating,” she said. Anderson College President and CEO Heather Yang says she understands the need to get to the bottom of OSAP irregularities, but she worries about students. “Protecting the students and catching the bad players, they are not in conflict. Both can happen simultaneously,” she said. In the meantime, mid-terms are scheduled for next week. The three sisters are hoping to make the grade. “It’s kind of a catch-22. There’s really no winning in this situation,” said Charly.
