TORONTO, June 17, 2015 – Higher Ed Points Inc. continues to innovate in helping Canadians fund higher education—this time, after they’ve graduated from college or university. Students and graduates in Ontario can now convert Aeroplan Miles into payments to help offset student loans held by the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP).

Starting today, Aeroplan Members can redeem their miles in $250 denominations and transfer the funds through HigherEdPoints.com to their Ontario Student Assistance Program student loan account. In addition to loyalty points they accumulate themselves, graduates will be able to crowd-source Aeroplan Miles from family, friends and their employers in order to offset student loans.

“Funding one’s higher education often goes beyond the years a student spends in the classroom, which is why we’re so excited to have OSAP join us in the new Student Loan category within the Program,” says Suzanne Tyson, Founder of Higher Ed Points Inc. “The ability to use loyalty points to offset student loans is going to make a huge difference to students and graduates. Paying down those loans faster is great for them and the Canadian economy as a whole.”

“Ontario is committed to ensuring students have access to a high-quality education based on their ability to learn, not to pay,” says Reza Moridi, Ontario Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities. “That’s why our government continues to support one of the most generous student financial aid programs in Canada. This new partnership will offer students and graduates another, innovative way to invest in themselves and their future.”

“Aeroplan believes in the importance of helping Canadians fund their higher education,” says Francine Sternthal, Director, Rewards Marketing Solutions, Aeroplan. “We’re excited to see that since the launch of HigherEdPoints.com, use of this new and innovative reward can be applied to help our members pay down student loans.”