Ontario universities hold Canada's largest educational fair this weekend

TORONTO, Sept. 27, 2018 /CNW/ - This weekend an estimated 140,000 students and their parents will come together at the annual Ontario Universities' Fair (OUF), where admissions officers, current students, deans and presidents from all 21 Ontario universities are on-hand to provide students with all the information they need to make the right choice.

Trying to navigate the university application process? Want to find out more about OSAP and other financial aid? Or are you looking for supports to transition into and make the most of campus life? OUF has the answers.

Each year, a growing number of students and parents attend the free event, which gives university-bound students the opportunity to not only compare and research what's offered at Ontario universities, but to ask any questions they may have about programs, courses, extracurricular activities, residence, internships, scholarships, admissions or financial aid processes.

"This year alone more than half a million students will learn, develop, and realize their full potential at one of Ontario's universities," says David Lindsay, President and CEO of the Council of Ontario Universities. "No two universities in Ontario are alike, and the OUF is a fun and exciting way for students and their families to meet with representatives from all 21 Ontario universities - all in one room - and ask questions, get information and find out what each university has to offer."

"Ontario's universities are here to help by providing the resources and supports that students and their families need to make a positive entry into university, and also to foster the in-depth knowledge, skills, and adaptability students need to realize their ambitions and contribute to our communities and the province."

The three-day fair begins Friday, Sept. 28 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, South Building, and runs until Sunday Sept. 30, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. Admission is free. For more information visit www.ouf.ca and follow along on social media (Twitter, Facebook and Instagram).

Pre-registration is optional and is not required for free admission to the fair; however, pre-registering for an OUF Passport online will save time, allowing attendees to visit university booths and presentation rooms the instant  they arrive and get more electronic information including updates on open houses, scholarships, athletics, and so on.

Those unable to attend the fair will have another opportunity to research universities in person through the University Information Program (UIP), which will be travelling to high schools across the province over the coming weeks. Check out its itinerary at www.ouf.ca/uip.

Quick facts:

• More than 90,000 high school students applied to an Ontario university this year
• Ontario universities offer more than $900 million in scholarships and bursaries, and new OSAP measures mean more than one-third of full-time postsecondary students in Ontario are receiving free tuition grants
• Ontario university graduates have the highest employment rate and earnings among those with any level of education

COU is the voice of Ontario's universities, promoting the value of education, research and innovation that leads to social, cultural and economic success.

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SOURCE Council of Ontario Universities

please contact: Simon Beck, Senior Communications Officer, The Council of Ontario Universities, http://cou.on.ca/, 416-979-2165 ext. 238, 416-453-1754 (cell), [email protected]