Grant for Crown wards a good step toward accessible college and university education

TORONTO, June 25, 2013 /CNW/ - Students in Ontario applaud the government's recent decision to assist Crown wards in their pursuit of post-secondary education through dedicated funding and monthly living grants.

"At a time when Ontario students pay the highest tuition fees in Canada, students are encouraged to see the government recognizing high fees as a barrier to participation for some of the most vulnerable communities," said Alastair Woods, Chairperson of the Canadian Federation of Students-Ontario.

The program will provide Crown wards with $6,000 grants to help them attend college or university. Currently, tuition fees in Ontario are $7,200 per year. In March, the government announced four more years of tuition fee increases for Ontario students.

"This is a step in the right direction to ensure college and university is affordable and accessible for students who face unique barriers to attending higher education," Woods added. "We look forward to working with the Minister to take action on addressing the skyrocketing cost of college and university education for all students in the province."

The Canadian Federation of Students-Ontario is the province's only bilingual student organization representing 300,000 college, undergraduate and graduate students in all regions of the province.

SOURCE: Canadian Federation of Students - Ontario

Alastair Woods, Chairperson, 416-925-3825 or 647-378-8942 (cell)