Ontario’s decision to lift the postsecondary tuition freeze, paired with a reduction in non-repayable OSAP grants, has reopened a familiar question: who really benefits from higher education costs? While institutions may argue that increased tuition brings essential revenue for operations, a deeper look reveals that short-term financial gains for universities and colleges could be eclipsed by long-term social and economic costs. Currently, the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) blends grants and loans to help students