Increasing tuition fees put our children's futures in jeopardy

TORONTO, Sept. 7 /CNW/ - As a new generation of children starts kindergarten this week, Ontario's university students are warning parents about the future cost of their child's post-secondary education. In 18 years, the cost of a 4-year undergraduate degree for a student living away from home is projected to be $137,013, according to TD Bank Financial Group.

Ontario tuition fees, expected to reach a record $6,200 this fall, are the highest in the country. If the Ontario government continues to allow tuition fees to increase at the current rate, students beginning kindergarten this week will be paying over $11,750 annually when they enter university in 14 years.

"Parents of young children should know that the cost of a higher education in Ontario continues to rise at an alarming rate, and that their children could be paying over 6 times more than their parents did just 20 years ago," said Meaghan Coker, President of the Ontario Undergraduate Student Alliance (OUSA).

OUSA is urging parents to contact their local MPP and ask them about their plans for making post-secondary education more affordable for their children.

"Whether your child is currently attending university or just beginning kindergarten, tell your local representative that your child deserves an affordable and high-quality post-secondary education," added Coker.

OUSA represents the interests of over 140,000 professional and undergraduate, full- and part-time university students at seven Ontario institutions.

For further information: or to arrange an interview please contact: Alvin Tedjo, Director of Communications, work: [phone], cell: [phone]; Meaghan Coker, President, [phone]; Alexi White, Executive Director, [phone], or visit www.ousa.ca.