Have an idea for a story?
Mlifeandstyle@theotherpress.ca

life & style // no. 9

¢ Footcare tips for healthy feet
¢ Meatless Monday: Spiced cauliflower
¢ Moonlight Walk for Cancer

..and more!

One small step for BC, one giant leap
for affordable post-secondary

» Changes to BC student loan interest rates

Brittney MacDonald
Life & Style Editor

 

t’s no secret that the cost of post-

secondary education has been
skyrocketing in the past 10 years. Simply
just attending college or university has
put many doe-eyed degree or graduate
program hopefuls into debt well beyond
what should be legal. Thankfully, with the
new changes to student loan interest rates
in BC, it is illegal—kind of.

As of February 109, all interest on BC
government-issued student loans has been
dropped. Previously, provincial interest on
any student loan was gathered at a rate of
3.95 percent—which is the prime lending
rate in Canada. Combine that with the
obnoxious cost of tuition and books, and
no wonder many undergraduates were in
debt for about 10 years (though this pales
in comparison to the American average of
21 years).

  
 
  
 
 
   

ded shed do

This is the first major step in the BC
government making good on their promise
to make post-secondary more affordable.
This change will apply to all future loans
and to existing loans currently being paid
into.

It’s not all sunshine and roses though.
All interest accumulated prior to February
19, 2019 will remain. It could take up
to three months for your statements to
reflect the elimination, however it will be
retroactive to February 19 —meaning that
though your first few payments might not
change, the interest will not stack, so that
additional payment will go towards paying
the loan itself.

The interest elimination also only
affects loans paid to the BC government,
and not the federal portion of integrated
student loans. This could be important
information if you're looking into applying
for a student loan—make sure you know
what you're applying for! It could mean the
difference between paying more or paying
for exactly what you received.

 

» What it is and how you can help

Brittney MacDonald
Life & Style Editor

 

O; June 1 the Tri-Cities branch of
the Canadian Cancer Society (CCS)
will be hosting an evening walk around
LaFarge Lake. The goal? To raise funds and
awareness towards cancer research and
treatment as well as to remember those
that have been lost to the disease this past
year.

This Moonlight Walk for Cancer is a
rebranding of the Relay for Life—a way of

blending new stories and traditions with
old. It is no longer just a quick stroll, but an
all-out event with activities and workshops
for people of all ages. CCS wants to
continue its positive forward momentum.
“Over the past years, we have been
able to make a positive influence within our
community and we hope to do the same
especially with the new changes we are
introducing to the event,” said Kiran Gill,
a Tri-City CCS committee member, in an
email to the Other Press.
Attendees will be able to enjoy
live entertainment, an automotive

    

      
 

1 we
E
pe ie

7

=-— *-

a
te

 
  
 
 

|

ai)

i

eR

SaaDaNTIAITIIAAAL - -
: ooo |

smorgasbord of food trucks, and face
painting. The evening will culminate in
a serene and enheartening walk around
the moonlit lake in honour of those who
have passed and to encourage those still
fighting.

The event will also serve as a means of
education. Opportunities to explore and
learn about various support networks and
tools, or how you can help, will be made
available to all participants. According to
a January press release by Nester Chen,
the CCS Annual Giving Coordinator,
“Moonlight Walk for Cancer is committed

   
 

 

MoonhahtyWwalkionGance!r

ey

   
      

Eis

:
Ta.
-

wa.

CET TT TT hig

a

to engaging survivors, caregivers and
families all while bringing together the
community to help fundraise for a great
cause. Every year the community helps
raise funds to help patients and their
families through life-saving research,
support services and more.”

Registration is open to both
individuals and teams, as well as businesses
looking to offer sponsorship. Simply go to
www.cancer.ca/moonlightwalkforcancer, or
call 604-216-5216.