Province Reduces Tuition for Nova Scotian Students

Nova Scotian students in Nova Scotian universities will see something new on their tuition statements in January 2007: lower tuition.

"We are making a university education more affordable for more Nova Scotians," said Minister of Education Karen Casey, today, Oct. 27.

More than 23,000 provincial students will pay about $440 less tuition in January.

"The government of Nova Scotia is investing $10.3 million to reduce university tuition for Nova Scotian students, effective January 2007," said Ms. Casey.

Today's announcement follows closely on the transfer of $28.8 million to the province from the Infrastructure Trust Fund, established in this year's federal budget. The money is to be used over two years. About $8.8 million of the second year's allocation will go to tuition reduction in September 2007.

Nova Scotia has always said Ottawa should take the vast number of out-of-province students into consideration when it calculates funding transfers to Nova Scotia for post-secondary education. The province's allocation is based on its percentage of the national population, about three per cent, rather than the percentage of students who attend its universities.

"By making these funds available only to Nova Scotians attending Nova Scotian universities, the government maximizes the amount of tuition reduction each student receives," said Ms. Casey.

This tuition reduction is in addition to the provincial government's commitment to lower tuition for all students in Nova Scotia's universities to the national level by 2010-11.

"Improving access to a university education, particularly for Nova Scotian learners, is of paramount importance to Nova Scotia's university leaders, so short-term, financial relief for some of our students is always welcome news," said Philip Hicks, chair, Council of Nova Scotia University Presidents, and president of the Nova Scotia Agricultural College in Truro. "Ongoing government support for a strong university sector is a crucial cornerstone for the province's prosperity and quality of life."

"This is a great day for all Nova Scotia students. This is the beginning of a plan to make sure low-income students can attend university. We look forward to a long-term focus on Universities and Colleges," said Mike Tipping, chair, Alliance of Nova Scotia Student Associations.

"Reducing tuition fees are the most effective way to improve access to post-secondary education," said Chris Parsons, Nova Scotia representative of the Canadian Federation of Students.

"The province is also using the federal transfer to establish a $3.1-million needs-based grant for students from low-income families," said Ms. Casey. An additional $3 million would go into needs-based grants program next year.

The needs-based grants will provide up to $2,500 per student. They will close the gap between what is available from federal and provincial student assistance programs and the student's own financial resources, and what is needed to attend university. The grants will be available through to the 2011-12 academic year, making funding available to students from low-income families for their second, third and fourth year of studies.

A similar program, the Millennium Access Grant, already helps students from low-income families in the first year of their studies.

People studying a skilled trade also got some good news.

"We are investing $1 million this year to promote apprenticeship programs and to reduce the financial burden on apprentices. This will help Nova Scotia ensure the province has the skilled trade resources it needs to meet opportunities for economic growth and future prosperity," said Ms. Casey.

An additional $2.6 million would be available next year.

This program, which will provide scholarships for apprentices, will be available through to the 2015-16 academic year. An estimated 1,000 people could benefit.

"We are honouring the commitment we made in amendments to the Provincial Finance Act in 2005, through Bill 207, to use these funds to reduce tuition, to make apprenticeship training more accessible, and to establish a needs-based grant," said Ms. Casey.

Nova Scotia's universities receive operating grants from the province. This year, the 11 institutions will receive $235.7 million; the highest level of provincial university operating grants in more than a decade. A further $6.1 million from the Department of Education supports apprenticeship training in the province.