Students frustrated
Published Friday November 14th, 2008
Student demonstrations were held at universities across the province Thursday, sending a message to government about student debt.
At a rally at UNB, Jon O'Kane, vice-president external of the University of New Brunswick Student Union, said he is frustrated with the financial aid system.
"A survey of debt accumulated to date by UNB's current student population totals more than $8 million and we're still hearing back from other students," O'Kane said. "The average debt of a New Brunswick student after a four-year program is $34,000. That's $10,000 more than the national average. This is unacceptable."
O'Kane said the New Brunswick Student Alliance, an organization that represents six universities and one community college in the province, is lobbying the government to replace the financial aid structure with a system that caps the amount of debt students can accumulate at $24,000.
Money from programs, such as the $2,000 bursary for first-year New Brunswick students and the $10,000 tuition rebate program, could be reallocated to cap student loans at $6,000, O'Kane said.
"Students requiring funding beyond that amount should receive a non-repayable loan from the government. This way we wouldn't be giving grants to every student, just those who need it."
But Neil Cole, vice-president external of UNB's graduate students association, said students shouldn't have to graduate with any debt.
"The student alliance is lobbying for student debt to be reduced to $24,000 and while it's good to challenge the government on this, I don't think $24,000 is reasonable either," Cole said.
"The graduate students association feels we should be putting pressure on the government to fund post-secondary education directly so that tuition fees can be reduced and eventually eliminated. That's a better alternative."
Anthony Secco, UNB's vice-president of academics, said he commends students for organizing demonstrations to put pressure on government.
He said making post-secondary education more accessible is something the university community supports.
"In terms of accessibility, the university is really doing all it can," Secco said.
"(UNB) really does want to get a handle on tuition fees, but providing the education students deserve requires some financial input.
"I do think it's a responsible move that students have taken - not only here but in other campuses - to have these rallies and bring this to the attention of those who need to know."
The UNB student union met with the new deputy minister of post-secondary education last week to talk about ways the province can move toward a more affordable education system.
O'Kane said he hopes the meeting was the first of many.
"The government has seen students across the province rally in support of a better financial aid system and now we need action on their part," O'Kane said. "We hope that the government will make this a priority and create a long-term plan to address student financial aid."
The provincial government released an action plan earlier this year for improving post-secondary education.
It said the government plans to announce measures to enhance student financing in time for the 2009-10 academic year.
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Do they not realize how insane that is? They honestly think they deserve to get unlimited education for $24,000? If that's the case I should go back to university and spend the rest of my life collecting degrees.
So, I could go get a Business degree with an MBA and a Computer Science degree with a Masters and tack on a B.Ed. on top of that then go to medical school and then to law school. That's about 20 years of school at around $170,000 since $34,000 over 4 years is $8500/year.
$170,000 of education for $24,000? Sign me up!
I was privileged that my Father did help some with my University, but he refused to help with it all, so that I would know the value of my education. That being said, I worked full time (sometimes 2 jobs) during the summer, and part time as a waitress during the school year. I came out with relatively no debt to my name, and boy do I appreciate what I have!
I worked for what I received, and finished my degree on the Dean's List in my last year. There is no reason that other students cannot do the same.
My suggestion? Maybe some sort of incentives to help pay back students loans, work with interest rates, lower tuition costs etc. A cap on the amount of debt that a student can accumulate will only encourage irresponsible spending.
Plain and simple, education - be it to university, community college or any trade education - needs to be more accessible and these students are fighting for it. $6000 is a debt cap per year, and the $24,000 amount would be a cap given an average four year degree. This suggestion goes hand in hand with the suggestion of reallocating the funds that the provincial government is using for first-year grants and tax rebates, which are ineffective and misguided attempts at affecting student debt. The solutions being proposed are more flexible than is being reported.
The difference in cost from the government could be reallocated from the money spent on the $2000 first year students' grant and the post-graduation tax rebate for NB graduates. No harm to the taxpayers - just a funding shift. This is what the student groups are looking for, according to their literature. Again, poor reporting.
And Bruins fan - yes, the trades route needs to be examined more by young people.
Vote for Climate is an intesting model for building a voting block to further a particular cause: http://www.voteforclimate.ca/en/
This proposal is not asking for more taxpayers' money, it is asking the government to invest in student financial aid programs that are actually efficient and effective at helping those that need it most. Included in the financial aid recommendations is one to target students who have already graduated and are having trouble with repayment. The NBSA recognizes that life-long learning is important and that a post-secondary education has effects before, during and after the actual studies.
You can contact the office with any questions (director@nbsa-aenb.ca).