Students waiting for funding announcement in midst of spending commitments

Halifax, NS – This week, it’s reported that the government has made spending commitments of $65 million in March. Post-secondary students in Nova Scotia hope that the government will make the affordability of education a priority in the near future.

“We look forward to the future by investing in our students” said Chair of StudentsNS and SMU student, Collette Robert. “We know that by dedicating funds to post-secondary education, we will be investing in the province as a whole, and retain our graduates.”

Spending commitments that could improve the affordability and accessibility of university and college in this province include: repurposing existing Tuition and Education Tax Credits to upfront non-repayable grants for low income students, extending the eligibility of the loan forgiveness program offering it to NSCC students rather than just those studying at a university, and providing international students with health care upon their arrival to Nova Scotia.

“The fact that the Nova Scotia government has been so adamant in providing our students with opportunities post-graduation does not go unappreciated” said Vice-Chair of StudentsNS and St. FX student, Annie Sirois. “However, the investments we need to see in the 2017 budget are those that would increase the initial accessibility and ability to stay enrolled in post-secondary education. Post-grad opportunities are only effective if students actually have the feasibility to attend post-secondary education.”

While students eagerly await investments in their education, StudentsNS applauds the recent announcement to enhance the Graduate to Opportunity program that will increase the wage subsidy available for employers hiring female graduates in a non-traditional occupation, a graduate who self-identifies as a person with a disability, a racially visible person, or an aboriginal person, or an international graduate. StudentsNS understands the increased barriers for these demographics and applauds the government’s decision to recognize them.

StudentsNS looks forward to the 2017 Budget for smart investments in students.

Students Nova Scotia is a not-for-profit and non-partisan advocacy group that represents Nova Scotia post-secondary students. Our members study at Acadia, Cape Breton, Saint Mary’s, and St. Francis Xavier Universities, as well as the Kingstec and Annapolis Valley Campuses of the Nova Scotia Community College.

For more information, please contact:

Sophie Helpard, Executive Director
Phone: 905 714 5455
Email:
director@studentsns.ca

Or

Collette Robert, Chair of StudentsNS
Email:
chair@studentsns.ca