MAD HATTER PAGE 2 1

 

 

$8.7 MILLION INCREASE IN
STUDENT AID ANNOUNCED

 

Minister of Education Bill Vander Zalm
and Minister of Universities, Science
and Communications, Dr. Patrick McGeer
announced today that the Government of
British Columbia will provide an addi-
tional $8.7 million in funding. for stu-
dent aid applications.

The unprecedented demand for funds under
the British Columbia Student Aid Program
for 1982/83 has caused an upward lift in
the budget estimate fram $15.5 million
to $24.2 million. The provincial govern-
ment will make up the total shortfall of
$8.7 million which will provide funds
for an additional 4,000 students at
B.C.'s universities, colleges and prov-
incial institutes. Last year 13,000
students received educational grants.
Projected recipients for this year will
total 17,000.

Of the total increase of $8.7 million
provided by the provincial government

$5 million will go towards grants for
university students and $3.7 million is
for grants to students attending provin-
cial colleges and institutes.

"Dr. McGeer and I are pleased that the
goverrment has seen fit to approve these
additional funds for needy students,"
said Education Minister Bill Vander Zalm.
"The great increase in the number of
people applying for student aid can be
attributed to the general slowdown of
the country's econamy. More people than
ever before are taking advantage of these
grants to continue their education and
the training and knowledge they will get
by attending our post-secondary institu-
tions will help them to be prepared for
jobs and careers when the econany
improves."

Dr. McGeer said the dramatic increase in

 

requests for student aid is general across
Canada.

"My colleague and I, on behalf of the
goverrment of B.C., want to ensure that
those in B.C. who wish to pursue higher
learning will not have to forfeit that
opportunity due to lack of money, said
Dr. McGeer. "The provincial government
is responding to this need during same
very hard economic times while federal
aid to students has remained static on
an individual basis since 1975."

In addition to the $24.2 million in pro-
vincial funding for student aid, there

are complementary programs in place

which provide 1.2 million for a Work-Study
Program providing part-time campus jobs;
the Adult Basic Education Student Aid
Program; and a Special Assistance Program
which provides funds for direct educational
costs such as tuition and books for those
individuals finding it necessary to con-
tinue their education on a part-time basis.

For 1982/83 special provision has been
made for parents of low-income families.
This measure will provide relief for par-
ents who have dependents studying away
from home.

The British Columbia Student Aid Program
administers student aid funds on the basis
of assessed need. Students who demonstrate
that they: require government funds to
supplement their resources will be providec
a loan of $1200 for the first portion of
the need. The bulk of the need in excess
of this amount is met primarily by the
provincial grant program.

The federal loan maximums have been fixed
for 7 years. Thus, increased programs and
living costs have been borne by the provin-
cial government to provide an additional
$8.7 million.

- Ministry of Education News Release -
October 19, 1982