The Canadian Federation of Students (CFS) praised a recent federal government announcement of financial assistance measures for students that include new student grant and repayment assistance programs.
The measures are “a new era of student financial assistance,” said Katherine Giroux-Bougard, national chairperson of the CFS when the Canadian government made the announcement on June 22.
The new Canada Student Grants Program, Repayment Assistance Plan and increased support for students with disabilities, will be “a cornerstone of economic recovery” and a “critical step towards affordable education,” said Giroux-Bougard.
“They are measures that will benefit students for years to come.”
Announced in the 2008 federal budget, this upcoming school year will be the first that students may actually apply for the new assistance, which includes more upfront and non-repayable money.
The new assistance programs were not made available sooner because of the significant time it took to consult with students, post-secondary education professionals and others who would be affected, said Diane Finley, human resource and skills development minister.
“A large part of the success has been in the wide range of stakeholders we spoke with,” said Finley, at Algonquin College where the announcement was made to a packed classroom of students, instructors and media.
The new grant program is projected to reach more than 245,000 undergraduate and college students in its first year, approximately 100,000 more than the number of students currently receiving debt remission and grants.
“Post-secondary education has never been more important than it is today. These measures will provide valuable assistance to students and their families by making post-secondary education more affordable and accessible,” said Finley.
Complete details of the new programs can be found online at CanLearn.ca.