Cr Ong has submitted a notice of motion for next week’s Dunedin City Council meeting, asking the council to oppose the removal of the fees-free policy.
If councillors agreed, they would ask the government to reconsider its decision.
The council would note the importance of tertiary education to Dunedin’s economic and social wellbeing.
Cr Ong told the Otago Daily Times he would be shocked if his motion did not receive majority support at the council.
‘‘Our students, our University of Otago and our Otago Polytechnic are the largest economic driver for Dunedin city’s economy,’’ he said in his notice.
The fees-free policy, due to end this year, has allowed students to claim up to $12,000.
Cr Ong warned the scheme’s conclusion might lead to students taking on more debt and then leaving to work in Australia.
‘‘It affects our Dunedin Hospital because it affects our Kiwi students studying to be our future doctors and nurses to serve our Dunedin community.’’
Cr Ong said his parents met at the university, they married and he was born in Dunedin.
‘‘It’s thanks to our oldest leading university that I am ... serving our student community right now.’’
The council has historically campaigned for the new central-city hospital under construction to be of sufficient size and fit for purpose.
Cr Ong did not draw a direct parallel, but he noted there was a notice of motion in the council’s previous term about international affairs — advocacy for Israeli sanctions.
He had not had discussions in the community about his notice, but he often talked to students informally.
‘‘I would be shocked if we do not get majority support for our leading, largest economic driver for our Dunedin city.
‘‘This is crucial to our council, and it’s crucial for our council to speak on and address.’’
