Student unions rejoice in Ontario budget tuition grants

THUNDER BAY -- Student union leaders are thrilled with Thursday’s provincial budget announcement that will make post-secondary education more attainable for students from lower income families.

The budget doubles grants available for young adults of families earning less than $50,000 per year, effectively eliminating the cost of college or university tuition. For those whose family income falls below $80,000, grants and loan eligibility will both increase. In those cases, family income level will no longer oblige parents to pay for their child’s education.

Lakehead University Student Union President Roman Jakubowski said the changes come as a result of a long, organized campaign.

“Don’t let anyone tell you student unions don’t do anything,” he said.

“We’ve been fighting for this for years and here it is.”

Jakubowski pointed out increasing post-secondary eligibility on the basis of cost will have an impact on Northwestern Ontario specifically, as income and education levels in the region are among the province’s lowest.

“The number of young people in Northwestern Ontario is in decline so Ontario is in a slump but Northwestern Ontario in particularly on the road to a larger,longer slump so it will be interesting to see what impacts it will have on enrolment in Northwestern Ontario,” he said.

“I don’t think sending people from low-income backgrounds to school could ever be a bad policy decision. Who loses? Everyone benefits from that.”

Student Union of Confederation College Inc. President Chris Cartwright said students were excited to hear the news but that excitement will turn into a better standard of living and a more educated populous when their next tuition comes due.

“I feel it opens the doors,” Cartwright said.

“This makes college more affordable for everyone. The people who were on the cusp of being able to afford it will now be able to afford it.”