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Students share stories during public consultation
By Ryan McNutt - November 30, 2007
What is a “manageable level of debt” for students to carry?
What financial role should parents be expected to play in their children’s post-secondary education (if any)?
Is the student funding system in Nova Scotia flawed or fundamentally broken?
These were just a handful of big questions that came out of the public consultation held at Dalhousie on Tuesday evening as part of the Province of Nova Scotia’s student assistance review. As three representatives from the Department of Education listened and took notes, the more than 35 attendees shared their thoughts, opinions and experiences with the Nova Scotia Student Assistance Program.
The participants spanned a wide range of backgrounds and personal experiences, from a mother whose daughter had been denied a loan, to a student who hasn’t bought a single book for his classes this term because his loan hasn’t come through, and a young woman denied social assistance because she chose to pursue her education.
“It just doesn’t add up for most people,” said one contributor, the common sentiment echoed in the stories shared throughout the evening.
The student aid review stems from the province’s throne speech promise in 2006 to undertake a comprehensive review of student and graduate support programs. The comments from this particular consultation session, along with those gathered from consultations around the province and online, will be presented in a report to Education Minister Karen Casey in early January.
“I was really pleased by the turnout,” says DSU President Mike Tipping, who is also chair of the Alliance of Nova Scotia Student Associations. “We heard heartbreaking stories from students struggling to get by and graduate. The big things that came out of the session were that we need a needs-based grants program in this province, and that student financial aid needs to be viewed in the larger context of the future of Nova Scotia.”
He adds that Nova Scotia is one of only three provinces in Canada without a provincially-funded needs-based grants program.
HRM residents who would like to participate in one of the public consultations will have one more opportunity next Wednesday, Dec. 5 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. in the boardroom of the NSCC Waterfront Campus in Dartmouth. If you are unable to attend but still wish to contribute to the consultation process, the province is welcoming formal submissions or personal comments at its website. The deadline for submissions is December 21.
SEE: Emotions run high in The Chronicle Herald | Students in poverty because of loans in The Daily News
Readers Say
December 2, 2007 2:33 AM
December 4, 2007 9:00 AM
Alot of students need to take accountability for themselves and their education. Some really do need financial aid, and really deserve getting it. However, too many take advantage of free tax dollars (this is where loans come from, other people's taxes!) for several years without any foresight onto how they may possibly deal with it when they've finished their education.
As an undergrad I applied for a full student loan during my second year. I was turned down because apparently my mother and father (a retail clerk and a construction worker) made too much money and were responsible for paying my education. They laughed, because they had their own recurring expenses to deal with (car, mortage, credit cards). So, I did the only thing I could do if I wanted a degree: worked labour jobs all summer, part-time in fall and winter, while watching every penny that I spent.
This is what alot of university students need to do, and to few do it. The result is too many people whining about loans to get a higher education. Unfortunately they are de-educating themselves for the real world by expecting that all things will pay for themselves without subsequent financial repercussions.