How to pay off your tuition in Toronto

Aug 27, 2026 · 7:41 pm · 4 min read

It can be hard to graduate while being debt-free, so The Green Line listed ways other than OSAP to pay off those debts.
📸: Dillon Kydd/Unsplash.

Balance your OSAP use with these tips to pay off your tuition.

Julia Lawrence

Ending college or university debt-free is an untouchable dream for many — unless you have rich parents.

When I was leaving my small hometown to go to school for Toronto Metropolitan University’s (TMU) Journalism program, I was worried about how I’d pay for it all. Toronto’s expensive; I was living off of OSAP and knew I needed to find work and get some money if I wanted to enjoy my university years.

OSAP was already being cut when I was a student, and with even more happening, it’s becoming increasingly harder for students to focus on their learning as debt looms over their heads.

So, I looked for student jobs at TMU, applied to some social media jobs, student representatives at study centres and more. Eventually, I found work in my program’s office as a student assistant during my second year of university; I didn’t know I’d end up working for the program for the rest of my studies (some of my best moments).

I also built connections; I didn’t shy away from chatting with professors and university staff. If you want opportunities, you have to work for them. So, I did. I reached out to my now-boss, Anita Li, about her newsletter The Other Wave and got hired as her social media assistant in my first year of university, which then led to working at The Green Line and CityNews.

My point is, make connections, but not for the sole purpose of asking for work. Job marketing is about networking, and when you’re a student, you have to take advantage of your situation. Ask for coffee chats, go to office hours, don’t shy away from an opportunity; even small chances can lead to lifelong connections and employment.

That’s why I wanted to share my tips and more on how you can get as much funding as possible, so you don’t end up with a massive pile of loans to pay back once you finish your education.

Student jobs

You’ve probably watched many coming-of-age movies with people working at a student radio show or café; now you can be one of them!

I highly recommend applying for student jobs if you can!

Check your college or university’s student job section. There may be limitations for international students about where you can work, so be sure to double-check.

Julia Lawrence working at TMU — Julia Lawrence working her job at Toronto Metropolitan University.
📸: Julia Lawrence/*The Green Line*.

Grants and scholarships

Post-secondary institutions have entrance scholarships and awards. Don’t skip applying to them! Usually you just need to answer a few questions, and you’re done!

Some are based on grades and certain class projects, but others are based on how involved you are on campus and in your program, so make those connections!

Here are some non-institution-tied scholarships and grants that you can apply for:

If you’ve learned anything from this list, let it be that you don’t have to do this alone. Opportunities come from friends, your professors or campus staff knowing who you are and their support will keep you going when you need it most.

It’s nearly impossible these days not to have debt when you’re done with school, so don’t let it get to you. Focus on your studies while having a job that lets you leave work at work and not bring it home with you. (Easier said than done, I know).

If you’d like to share your tips for being a debt-free student, send me an email at julia@thegreenline.to and I’ll add it to our list.