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
BREAKING | Notorious serial killer Paul Bernardo moved to medium-security prison in Quebec
Notorious serial rapist and killer Paul Bernardo was moved to a medium-security prison in Quebec this week.

Canada's 'unprecedented' fire season linked to climate change, will be the new normal: scientists
At the moment, wildfires are burning across six provinces and one territory in Canada — and they’re still spreading in what’s being called an unprecedented fire season. While firefighters work tirelessly to battle the merciless flames and prevent further destruction, scientists say the wildfires are linked to climate change and that this will be the new normal.
Trudeau raises Poland's democratic backsliding as prime minister visits Toronto
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says he raised concerns about reports that LGBTQ2S+ rights and democracy are under threat in Poland during a Friday visit with its prime minister, Mateusz Morawiecki, in Toronto.
Air Canada says to expect further travel disruptions following Thursday's IT issues
Air Canada says travellers should be prepared for further flight disruptions as it works to return service to normal following a technical malfunction Thursday.
'Torch has been passed': What younger generations need to know about inheriting a family cottage
As more Canadians pass their family cottages down to the next generation, 'major shifts' in the ownership of recreational homes will occur, according to Re/Max. But amid concerns around the cost of housing, some may be wondering whether they can afford to keep that family cottage. Here's what younger generations need to know about inheriting a recreational property and the market today.
'Utterly disgusting': Canadian Army sergeant fined for 'anti-Jewish' comments
A 38-year-old sergeant in the Canadian Army was fined $3,000 and issued a severe reprimand after he made what a military judge described as 'utterly disgusting' anti-Jewish comments while conducting an infantry training course in 2021.
Poilievre tries to head off PPC vote as Bernier bets on social conservatives
Pierre Poilievre is off to Manitoba to rally Conservative supporters ahead of a byelection that Maxime Bernier is hoping will send him back to Parliament. The far-right People's Party of Canada leader lost his Quebec seat in the 2019 federal vote and lost again in the 2021 election.
Experts warn of 'rapid' growth of IBD as number of Canadians diagnosed set to reach 470K by 2035
The number of people in Canada with inflammatory bowel disease is increasing rapidly and is expected to grow to 470,000 by 2035, according to a new report from Crohn's and Colitis Canada.
Trudeau continues to stand by David Johnston despite calls that he step down
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says he is committed to keeping David Johnston in place as Canada's special rapporteur on foreign interference, despite a majority of MPs voting in favour of his stepping down from the gig.