Do I have to keep paying child support when my child is in university in Ontario?

Yes, in most cases a parent is required to continue paying child support when an adult child is enrolled full-time in a post-secondary program. Both the Divorce Act and Ontario's Children's Law Reform Act recognize that a child over 18 who cannot become financially independent because they are pursuing education remains entitled to support.

Courts in Ontario generally expect parents to contribute to a first undergraduate degree, provided the child is enrolled full-time, making satisfactory academic progress, and not earning enough to support themselves. The child is typically expected to contribute through part-time work, student loans, and bursaries, and support arrangements often reflect this — parents are not always required to fund 100% of the child's costs.

The support amount for an adult child in school is sometimes calculated differently than table-based support for younger children. Courts often look at the actual costs of education and living, the child's own income, and each parent's ability to contribute. The child's willingness to participate in the process (for example, by providing transcripts and financial information) can also matter. If the child drops out, transfers to part-time, or becomes self-supporting, the obligation can end or be varied. A lawyer can help you structure or challenge a support claim for an adult student.