06 Apr UPEI Student Union Pleased with 2018-2019 Provincial Budget
The UPEI Student Union is pleased to see a number of key areas addressed in the 2018-2019 provincial budget which was tabled this morning in the Legislative Assembly of Prince Edward Island.
“This year’s provincial budget shows significant investments in post-secondary education in Prince Edward Island,” says UPEI Student Union Vice-President Academic & External Taya Nabuurs. “The UPEI Student Union has been advocating for these investments for a number of years.”
Some of the UPEI Student Union’s policy priorities which have been addressed in this year’s budget include:
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Needs-based grants for students from lower-income families;
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$25 per student to support mental health resources for post-secondary institutions;
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A commitment to a multi-year funding agreement with UPEI;
The provincial budget also included a new Island Advantage Bursary which will offer an additional $3,600 to Island students attending UPEI as well as supports for students struggling with debt post-graduation. The Debt Reduction Grant will provide $3,500 per year of study for those who reside in PEI within three years of graduation.
“Student debt can be a significant burden post-graduation and a cause of great stress” says Nabuurs. “Providing more forgiveness for student loan debt will be a great relief to many and will help provide graduates with a better starting point for the next phase of their lives.”