P.E.I. is researching a free tuition model for university education, the legislature was told Tuesday.
Colin LaVie, Progressive Conservative MLA for Souris - Elmira, raised the issue in question period.
He said that free tuition models for students from low-income families are now in place in Ontario and were announced last week for New Brunswick.
In the case of New Brunswick, it applies only to students whose family income is less than $60,000.
"Alberta and Newfoundland are also examining this model," said LaVie. "Will the minister of advanced learning also consider targeting assistance for low-income Island students."
"We are," said Richard Brown, minister of workforce and advanced learning.
He said research began into that process as soon as Ontario and New Brunswick announced their programs.
"We are doing the analysis right now and seeing how they are doing it," said Brown.
It is not, however, a massive influx of new money into the system, he warned.
"They are taking away a number of (student) exemptions and a number of tax deductions in the meantime, and that is affecting a lot of families," said Brown.
"We have a universal system right here on Prince Edward Island to help all students to gain a university education," said Brown. "There are a number of grants available to students that require grants."
He cited the George Coles Bursary of $2,200 for students going into first year post-secondary study on P.E.I. and student awards of $400 and $600 for people in their second and third years of studies at Island universities.
That wasn't good enough for LaVie.
"We don't want our students in debt," he said. "Will the province remove the parental requirement (from student loans) which unfairly penalizes hundreds of Island students every year?"
Brown said he was been meeting with student unions, and that issue is high on their agenda, as it is with the P.E.I. government.
"It is also on the federal government agenda and we are looking forward to discussions with the federal government in seeing how we can work together . . .," said Brown.
"It's great that the minister talks the walk and does the meetings and puts everything on the shelf," said LaVie. "Will this be put in place for the next school year?"
Brown said the P.E.I. government does indeed walk the walk, having gone interest-free on student loans, increased the amount to borrow by $10 per week and included a disability program.
Brown also said the UPEI student union had a good idea to pro-rate repayment based on salary over $25,000 and he wants to consider that, too.
P.E.I. is researching a free tuition model for university education, the legislature was told Tuesday.
Colin LaVie, Progressive Conservative MLA for Souris - Elmira, raised the issue in question period.
He said that free tuition models for students from low-income families are now in place in Ontario and were announced last week for New Brunswick.
In the case of New Brunswick, it applies only to students whose family income is less than $60,000.
"Alberta and Newfoundland are also examining this model," said LaVie. "Will the minister of advanced learning also consider targeting assistance for low-income Island students."
"We are," said Richard Brown, minister of workforce and advanced learning.
He said research began into that process as soon as Ontario and New Brunswick announced their programs.
"We are doing the analysis right now and seeing how they are doing it," said Brown.
It is not, however, a massive influx of new money into the system, he warned.
"They are taking away a number of (student) exemptions and a number of tax deductions in the meantime, and that is affecting a lot of families," said Brown.
"We have a universal system right here on Prince Edward Island to help all students to gain a university education," said Brown. "There are a number of grants available to students that require grants."
He cited the George Coles Bursary of $2,200 for students going into first year post-secondary study on P.E.I. and student awards of $400 and $600 for people in their second and third years of studies at Island universities.
That wasn't good enough for LaVie.
"We don't want our students in debt," he said. "Will the province remove the parental requirement (from student loans) which unfairly penalizes hundreds of Island students every year?"
Brown said he was been meeting with student unions, and that issue is high on their agenda, as it is with the P.E.I. government.
"It is also on the federal government agenda and we are looking forward to discussions with the federal government in seeing how we can work together . . .," said Brown.
"It's great that the minister talks the walk and does the meetings and puts everything on the shelf," said LaVie. "Will this be put in place for the next school year?"
Brown said the P.E.I. government does indeed walk the walk, having gone interest-free on student loans, increased the amount to borrow by $10 per week and included a disability program.
Brown also said the UPEI student union had a good idea to pro-rate repayment based on salary over $25,000 and he wants to consider that, too.
