Higher Education Quality Council of Ontario
The Impacts of Ontario's Part-time Funding Model on Colleges and Students

The growing demand for part-time college learning opportunities could be better supported through a revision of the current funding model.

Concerns regarding Ontario's part-time college funding model have been raised for more than 30 years. The recent report of Ontario's Blue Ribbon Panel (Harrison, 2023) noted that funding for part-time enrolments "represents a disincentive for the colleges to accept part-time students. It is also at odds with the stated importance of continuous learning for workforce preparation and reskilling" (p. 24). Questions about enrolment disincentives are particularly pressing in the current environment, which is marked by growing interest and enrolment in part-time programming.

HEQCO undertook a mixed-methods approach to understand who studies part time and why, as well as how the current part-time college funding model is distinct from the formula used for full-time enrolments. Funding for full-time enrolments is largely based on headcounts and estimated program costs, while part-time funding is calculated using student contact hours without direct reference to program costs. Through an academic and policy-based literature review, an examination of application and enrolment trends and 25 interviews with key contacts, HEQCO investigated the impact of Ontario's part-time funding model on institutions and students.

HEQCO found that Ontario's part-time college funding model does not support the development of part-time programming and part-time enrolments. The lack of sufficient funding makes it challenging for colleges to provide part-time-specific administrative resources or to collect data on part-time students to better understand their needs and pathways. This results in some part-time students experiencing challenges with persisting in their programs, especially when they are enrolled in cohorts that have been designed for full-time students. Colleges have worked to provide part-time opportunities for students despite the constraints of the funding model, but part-time programming and academic wellness and financial supports for part-time students are inconsistent across colleges.

A funding model that provides cost-based funding for part-time programming and enrolments would benefit students, institutions and government. Expanded part-time studies could provide more PSE opportunities for learners looking for pathways into the labour market or those already working who wish to reskill or upskill. Sufficient funding could ensure that colleges have the resources they need to develop in-demand programs and tap into a growing demand for part-time studies. And a more robust offering of part-time college opportunities could support government priorities regarding upskilling to meet labour market gaps.

Read: The Impacts of Ontario's Part-time Funding Model on Colleges and Students