Th provincial government is bringing in new programs to help post-secondary students in light of tuition increases. It will be a two-pronged approach.

The Tuition Relief Grant Program is for low and middle-income students to provide assistance of up to $3,450 per academic year in the form of non-repayable grants.

For middle and higher-income students who do not qualify for grant funding, the overall weekly student loan limit will increase to $100 per week from $40, and the weekly assistance will rise to $200 weekly from $140.

The changes are in addition to existing programs designed to provide financial support for students enrolled in higher learning. For example, through the Debt Reduction Grant Program, students may be eligible to have the entirety of their provincial student loan forgiven.

Education Minister Tom Osborne says the tuition offset of $68-million annually will be phased out over five years, a move that goes against recommendations from Memorial.

He says MUN proposed to them to double tuition but wished to maintain the tuition offset. Government decided instead to end the subsidy but redirect the money to students instead of university administration.

Earlier Story
Memorial University Thaws Tuition Freeze, Students to See Increased Fees in Fall 2022