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Some teens dream of getting a car for high school graduation. It happens – mostly in John Hughes movies, I suspect – but sometimes in real life. I did not get a car, but I got something infinitely more valuable: a free ride.

I was lucky enough to graduate university with no student debt. Summer jobs made a meagre contribution but, mostly, my parents scrimped and saved and made it work.

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It’s an increasingly rare experience, as the average cost of tuition at Ontario universities nudges toward $9,000. College tuition, traditionally a more affordable option, averaged $3,400 last year. Pile on books and rent, and most students need some combination of parents, scholarships, loans and part-time work to stay afloat.

About 441,000 students rely on OSAP, a blend of federal and provincial funds administered by the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities. OSAP is more than a student loan; it’s an investment in a generation. Awards are a blend of repayable loans and grants students keep. Eligibility is based on financial need.