[READER QUESTION] Is it Worth it to Use Aeroplan to pay for Student Tuition?
In 2014, Aeroplan launched a partnership with Higher Ed Points that enables members to redeem miles to help offset education.
Higher Ed Points expanded its program to include the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP). This means that members, students and graduates in Ontario can now convert Aeroplan Miles into payments to help offset their student loans held by the Ontario Student Assistance Program.
Aeroplan is the only loyalty program in Canada enabling its members to use miles to help Canadian students finance higher education.
You can redeem 35,000 miles for $250 that can go towards higher education and now offset student loans. I value 1 Aeroplan mile at 1.8 cents a piece, which means 35,000 miles is actually worth $630 instead of a dismal $250 (or 0.7 cents per point in value).
To be fair, it depends on everyones’s situation. I would only redeem the 35,000 miles if I was unable to find a better use for them.
Personally, I would rather save my Aeroplan to redeem for a reward flight. But let’s say I knew for sure that I will be unable to travel for a long while for whatever reason, using my points on my education sounds good to me!
That being said, below is a full list of participating institutions that allow you to use your Aeroplan to offset costs:
- Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP)
- Student Aid Alberta
- York University
- Western University
- Ryerson University
- Carleton University
- Brock University
- Nipissing University
- Algoma University
- University of New Brunswick
- Acadia University
- Mount Allison
- The University of Manitoba
- University of Prince Edward Island
- University of Winnipeg
- Brandon University
- University of Regina
- SAIT Polytechnic
- Saskatchewan Polytechnic
- Capilano University
- Huron University College
- Brescia University College
- King’s University College
- Centennial College
- George Brown College
- Sheridan College
- Humber College
- Georgian College
- Canadore College
- Conestoga
- New Brunswick Community College
- Nova Scotia Community College
- Algonquin College
- Lambton College
- Bishop’s University
- Meadowridge School
- Vancouver Island University
- The Haven
- University of Fredericton
- Institute for Human Services Education
- University of Lethbridge
- Crandall University
- The King’s University
- St. Stephen’s University
- St. Thomas University
- Olds College
- St Michael’s College School
- Ross University School of Medicine
- Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine
- American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine
- National Institute
- Eastern College
- Ambrose University
- Alberta College of Art + Design
- Holland College
- Red Deer College
- Lethbridge College
- Concordia University College of Alberta
- Stenberg College
- Blyth Academy
- triOS College
- Pacific Institute of Culinary Arts
- Canadian Art School – Kelowna