Post-secondary students say they’re pleased with education allotment in N.B. budget
The New Brunswick Student Alliance (NBSA) says it was happy to see the 2023-24 provincial budget take steps towards supporting post-secondary students.
The budget included an increase to the Student Financial Assistance program by $7.6 million through their loans and bursary programs.
The province also announced a permanent two per cent increase to the operating grant and an additional 1.5 per cent based on enrollment.
"This budget, it means a lot for students in New Brunswick,” said Sydona Chandon, the executive director of NB Student Alliance.
“Because we've been seeing where inflation has really affected students, especially with the cancellation last year of the NBEI grant,” Chandon said.
The New Brunswick Student Alliance says it is pleased the province is investing in post-secondary education and hopes in turn it will increase growth and opportunity within New Brunswick.
"I feel it's important for retention to see investments directly in programs,” said St. Thomas University student Julie Evans.
“In all education programs, but especially in health care given the current state of our province.”
Inadequate funding from the government often results in an increase in tuition and university fees, which places a financial burden on students.
"A lot of our university students will be able to have money back in their pockets,” said Chandon.
“They won't have to face a dramatic increase in tuition because now the universities will have more funding to sustain themselves.”
But the students groups say there's more government could do to alleviate financial burdens on post-secondary students.
"When the government is developing housing plans in the future, they take consideration and acknowledgement that the student demographic is a separate demographic with a specific need,” Evans said.
“There's financial barriers associated with being a post-secondary education student rather than just lumping us in with general society.”
NBSA works with government and stakeholders, advocating for a post-secondary education system where any student can attain an accessible, affordable and equitable quality of life.
"We'd love to see the government account for inflation going forward with the operating grants and with financial supports for students,” Chandon said.
The New Brunswick Student alliance says they're hoping government will make investments in the future specifically towards post-secondary students’ mental health.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'A beautiful soul': Funeral held for baby boy killed in wrong-way crash on Highway 401
A funeral was held on Wednesday for a three-month-old boy who died after being involved in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 in Whitby last week.
'Sophisticated' cyberattacks detected on B.C. government networks, premier says
There has been a "sophisticated" cybersecurity breach detected on B.C. government networks, Premier David Eby confirmed Wednesday evening.
Police handcuff man trying to enter Drake's Toronto mansion
Toronto police say a man was taken into custody outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion Wednesday afternoon after he tried to gain access to the residence.
Biden says he will stop sending bombs and artillery shells to Israel if they launch major invasion of Rafah
U.S. President Joe Biden said for the first time Wednesday he would halt shipments of American weapons to Israel, which he acknowledged have been used to kill civilians in Gaza, if Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu orders a major invasion of the city of Rafah.
Canucks claw out 5-4 comeback win over Oilers in Game 1
Dakota Joshua had a goal and two assists and the Vancouver Canucks scored three third-period goals to claw out a 5-4 comeback victory over the Edmonton Oilers in Game 1 of their second-round playoff series Wednesday.
Nijjar murder suspect says he had Canadian study permit in immigration firm's video
One of the Indian nationals accused of murdering British Columbia Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar says in a social media video that he received a Canadian study permit with the help of an Indian immigration consultancy.
Pfizer agrees to settle more than 10K lawsuits over Zantac cancer risk: Bloomberg News
Pfizer has agreed to settle more than 10,000 lawsuits about cancer risks related to the now discontinued heartburn drug Zantac, Bloomberg News reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the deal.
Quebec premier defends new museum on Quebecois nation after Indigenous criticism
Quebec Premier Francois Legault is defending his comments about a new history museum after he was accused by a prominent First Nations group of trying to erase their history.
U.S. presidential candidate RFK Jr. had a brain worm, has recovered, campaign says
Independent U.S. presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. had a parasite in his brain more than a decade ago, but has fully recovered, his campaign said, after the New York Times reported about the ailment.