Ontario probes alleged fraud at three Academy of Learning career colleges
Provincial inspectors found evidence that third parties may have completed coursework for students at three Academy of Learning campuses, leading the government to bar the schools from OSAP funding.
Ontario’s compliance unit inspected three Academy of Learning campuses and reported that students often could not identify their school or program, and that coursework was sometimes completed in minutes, suggesting third-party involvement. The reports highlighted shared IP addresses, rapid exam completions, and inconsistencies in student interviews, leading the province to declare the schools ineligible for OSAP funding as of August 1.
The colleges, which together disbursed over $219 million in OSAP grants to roughly 14,800 students, have filed for judicial review, arguing the minister lacked authority to pre-determine eligibility. Federal officials also flagged unusually high growth in aid applications and potential duplicate filings. Academy of Learning denies most claims, pointing to dynamic IP addresses, low default rates, and recent implementation of two-factor authentication and other controls. The dispute remains unresolved in court.
