Taking its cue from McMaster University senate, Trent Senate has registered its opposition to Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) changes that effectively exclude part-time students from the loan program and limit the earning potential of OSAP recipients.

        Ella Lefranc, representing Trent part-time students, said the McMaster resolution is "a step in the right direction." Due to the timing of the June announcement, part-time students would not necessarily have found out about the OSAP eligibility changes until they tried to enrol, she said.

        OSAP changes limit loans to students taking a 60-per-cent course load and restrict loan-eligible students to earning a maximum of $600 during the school year without penalty. Students are also expected to contribute $130 -- up from $70 per week -- in summer earnings towards their education. And OSAP now factors in student assets -- including cars and savings -- when determining loan eligibility.

        Trent's Senate tacked on two other clauses to the original McMaster resolution. Trent Senate is also opposed to OSAP changes that would result in low-income earners paying more (through accrued interest) for their education than high income earners or that would be used to justify higher tuition fees.

        The extra clauses mirror student concerns that Ontario's proposed income-contingent loan repayment plan would penalize low-income earners (who would take longer paying back loans and therefore incur more interest) and be used to justify higher tuition fees.

        Last month, the Trent Central Students Association (CSA) moved to press the Ontario government to abandon its pursuit of the income-contingent loan repayment plan.

        "The issue should not be how to deal with student debt once it's accumulated but to prevent student debt in the first place," said Peter Whyte, CSA vice-president of student issues, in an interview. He is drafting an alternative proposal, based on the CFS position, for a national system of student grants based on needs, which he hopes to present for approval to the CSA by March.

        Whyte expects Trent students will rally Jan. 28 on campus for a Canadian Federation of Students (CFS) day of protest against the plan.