By Wayne Moore
The BC Federation of Students hopes the provincial government will hear their plea and send them a lifeline in the upcoming budget speech.
The federation has again asked the government to put in place an up-front, needs-based grant program that would ease the burden of student loan debt.
A recent poll shows 68 per cent of British Columbians favour a needs-based grant program.
"B.C. has the lowest amount of non-refundable financial assistance, like grants, in Canada," says Tanysha Klassen, chair of the BC Federation of Students.
"Skyrocketing tuition fees and no comprehensive grants programs mean students and their families are forced deep into debt before even getting a start on life."
According to the student federation, tuition fees have more than doubled over the past two decades, while financial assistance options have been reduced to "little more than student loans."
Klassen says half of B.C. graduates have debt. The average debt after a bachelor degree is nearly $35,000.
She further states an up-front grants program would help low and middle income families access post-secondary education.
"Rural students and their families are often forced to seek work in urban centers like the Lower Mainland in order to make their high student loan payments while trying to make a living," said Klassen.
"A grant program would help to keep these students studying – and living – in their communities by reducing their student loan debt.”
The provincial budget will be unveiled Feb. 18.
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