Media Advisory - Students to deliver 6,000 petitions calling for the elimination of interest on student loans

WINNIPEG, April 29, 2014 /CNW/ - Students will deliver over 6,000 petitions to James Allum, the Minister of Education and Advanced Learning, this afternoon at the Legislature. The petitions call for the government to eliminate interest on all outstanding student loans. The Canadian Federation of Students launched the "Education for All" campaign in January and spoke with thousands of students, workers, and community members over the last four months to gauge support for action to reduce student debt. Students from the University of Manitoba, the University of Winnipeg, l'Université de Saint Boniface, and Brandon University will be meeting with Minister Allum to deliver the petitions and to discuss the proposal.

Manitoba student loans carry an interest rate of prime, meaning that those who rely on loans will pay, on average, an extra $3,000 for their education. While post-graduation tax credits primarily benefit higher-income graduates, student loans and grants are administered based on financial need. Students in Manitoba graduate with an average of $19,000 in debt—an amount that increases each year as tuition fees go up.

WHAT:	Canadian Federation of Students delivers petitions to Minister Allum
DATE:	Tuesday, April 29, 2014
TIME:	4:00 p.m.
PLACE:	Manitoba Legislature
WHO:	Bilan Arte, Chairperson: 204.297.7230

The Canadian Federation of Students-Manitoba is Manitoba's largest student organisation, uniting over 42,000 post-secondary students across the province. As part of the Canadian Federation of Students, the Federation and its predecessor organisations have represented students in Canada since 1927.

SOURCE: Canadian Federation of Students - Manitoba

or to arrange interviews, contact: Bilan Arte, Chairperson, Canadian Federation of Students--Manitoba, (c) 204.297.7230, (e) [email protected]