RELEASE: Students Nova Scotia Releases Reports on Barriers to Postsecondary Access
Halifax, NS - Today, Students Nova Scotia (StudentsNS) released a two-part report, Who Goes, Who Pays: An Examination of Barriers to Postsecondary Access in Nova Scotia. The report explores postsecondary access among students in Nova Scotia, with the first installment focusing on social barriers and the second exploring financial factors impacting access to education. In addition to highlighting barriers, both reports include policy recommendations to address gaps and improve access.
“Our research shows that barriers to education are not standalone, but are elements of a larger process that must be looked at holistically,” says Matthew Doyle, Chair of StudentsNS. “Affordability continues to be top of mind for students, but research shows that youth do not even begin to explore postsecondary costs until informational and attitudinal barriers have been addressed.”
The use of a multi-dimensional lens acknowledges the intersection of these barriers, particularly for those historically underrepresented in higher education. This approach was also used in creating tangible recommendations to address gaps, particularly for first generation learners who often overlap with other underrepresented demographics in the postsecondary system. Strengthening informational programming for these learners while they are in high school is essential, as parental education attainment is the largest predictor of access.
The second installment focuses on how the province and universities can improve affordability for students after they have made the decision to access postsecondary.
“Currently, over 12,000 students in Nova Scotia rely on the Student Financial Assistance Program to fund their education, yet program maximums have not been increased since 2017 even as inflation in Nova Scotia has risen nearly 17%, and average domestic tuition has climbed by over 20%, compared to 3.2% nationally,” says Sadie McAlear, Vice-Chair of StudentsNS. “Similarly, as the province is in the process of renegotiating funding agreements (MOUs) with our universities, now is a critical time to modernize tuition predictability and regulation.”
Despite the 3% cap in place in the past MOU, domestic students in Nova Scotia face the highest tuition costs in Canada, at 36.5% above the national average; and international students are privy to no year-over-year predictability. StudentNS’ recommendations for the next MOU include a 1% cap on domestic tuition increases, as well as the introduction of an international cohort tuition model that would ensure international students can make informed decisions and better plan for educational costs.
“The individual and societal benefits of any level of postsecondary education are significant, but we know that those who would experience the greatest benefits also face the largest barriers,” says Georgia Saleski, Executive Director of StudentsNS. “The accessibility, recruitment and retention of international and out of province students is important for the diversity and economic prosperity of Nova Scotia. However, our research shows there is also more to be done to promote equitable access among Nova Scotian learners - who are more likely to stay in the province once given the opportunity to pursue education here.”