Despite Record Student Debt Levels, Tuition Fees Rise In Most Provinces

OTTAWA, Sept. 12, 2013 /CNW/ - Tuition and related fees increased for the vast majority of university and college students this year, according to a report released by Statistics Canada today.

"In light of the massive debt burden already carried by most students, provinces should be reducing tuition fee rates, not further increasing them," said Jessica McCormick, National Chairperson of the Canadian Federation of Students. "This does nothing but make the student debt crisis even worse than it already was."

According to the report, tuition fee rates increased by 3.3% on average to $5,772. Tuition fees are currently the single largest expense for most college and university students and are increasing more rapidly than any other cost faced by students and faster than inflation. Tuition fees vary widely from province to province with students in Ontario paying nearly three times as much as students in Newfoundland and Labrador.

"Canadians expect that access to higher education should be determined by how hard you study, not by how much money you have," said McCormick. "Tuition fees and student debt still contribute to a tremendous inequality of access to university or college."

Recent Canadian research has demonstrated that financial barriers, such as tuition fees, continue to prevent many young people from enrolling in post-secondary education. Financial considerations also lead to thousands of students withdrawing from their program before graduation. The Canadian Federation of Students has called for a Post-Secondary Education Act that establishes guidelines for funds transferred to the provinces for post-secondary education. Federal legislation could ensure accountability and create national standards for the quality and accessibility of Canada's universities and colleges.

The Canadian Federation of Students is Canada's largest student organisation. It is composed of over 80 university and college students' associations with a combined membership of over one half million students in all ten provinces.

SOURCE: Canadian Federation of Students

Jessica McCormick, National Chairperson at 613-232-7394