College Students Pleased with Progress yet Anxious Over Costs

TORONTO, March 25 /CNW/ - Finance Minister Dwight Duncan's 2010 Ontario Budget maintains post-secondary education as a cornerstone of prosperity. In it the McGuinty government makes some significant commitments to education. Most importantly the government has pledged to provide resources for a credit transfer system, which has been a main component of the College Student Alliance (CSA) agenda for years.

"Today is a victory for the college and college/university students of Ontario," says Justin Fox, President of the CSA, noting expectations are that the investment will be significant. "Our organization, along with other stakeholders and government, has worked tirelessly to see credit transfer enter into a budget."

Other noteworthy budget commitments include $310 million for Ontario's colleges and universities to enrol an additional 20,000 students, and $600 million over two years for an additional 30,000 Second Career students. "Ontario students are definitely pleased to see that this government continues to hold education in such high regard," Fox says. "Students believe strongly that their current studies and training will help Ontario's competitiveness progress on a global scale."

However not all concerns of Ontario students have been addressed. The Budget makes no mention of plans to support students through the rising costs of study and living. The CSA advocates for continued supplementation of loans with more grants and a loan program that does not deduct eligibility amounts based on income earnings.

"This government has proudly stated its commitment to colleges and students," states Fox. "While college and college/university students currently do not know what improvements will be made to the Ontario Student Assistance Program, we are excited to continue working with government in the production of such a plan."

The College Student Alliance (CSA) is an advocacy and leadership organization, which has been proudly serving Ontario's college and college-university students since 1975. The CSA currently represents 17 colleges and 25 member councils with over 135,000 full-time student members throughout the province.

For further information: Justin Fox, President, C: [phone], E: [email protected]