Young people in Ontario have been hit hard financially the past few years. Summer jobs are proving to be a thing of the past, and youth looking for any sort of employment are feeling the resulting financial pinch. Combine that with the rising costs of tuition, and you have a generation of students that wonder if college education is worth sinking money into they may not have. Any sort of post-secondary education in Toronto is a solid investment in the future, but the modern, financially-concerned youth may be worried about the price tag.

Centennial College understands this, and aims to provide a path to employment for every student, regardless of their financial standing. School doesn’t have to be a pricey experience, and there are a number of tricks a student with their money on their mind can use to pinch pennies. In order to eliminate barriers to education and employment, Centennial College offers students chances to save money during every step of their education. Before a student even arrives on campus, Centennial College can offer them over 150 separate scholarships for both specific programs and the entire school. It’s a broad and growing list of scholarships for every college program, based on both academic and financial criteria. Best of all, they’re not limited to a student’s first year, with plenty of scholarships and bursaries available to students every semester of their educational experience.

The college offers students additional savings after their arrival on campus. A Toronto education means many students will get to school using the TTC, and will be entitled to special discounts on their metropasses. For academic and personal matters, counselling and tutoring are also available free to every student. For more leisurely matters, the Centennial College Student Association (CCSAI) always conducts free student events, letting students fill their spare time with activities that are both affordable and further connect them to the school’s community. It also gives students access to affordable healthy food through its Good Food Box program, where students can purchase a big box of fresh fruit and vegetables for $13. It even offers them a health plan, covering a broad variety of potentially unexpected medical expenses.

Speaking of health, students will also get free access to the college’s Athletics and Wellness Centre, letting them keep in shape without spending a dime. The 65,000 square foot gymnasium includes and indoor track, a weight room, and a climbing wall for the adventurous, or a cardio area full of treadmills for a simple, quick run. And when the workout’s over, students can check out the free Student Association Spa Services (SASS). The facility is professionally equipped and staffed, and offers everything from eyebrow waxing and manicures to massage therapy. School will always be pricey, but Centennial College recognizes that every bit counts, and aims to help students access its world-class education without too much of a financial strain.