The Canadian Federation of Students in Nova Scotia is hoping the province will start covering tuition for college and university students from lower income families.
Two provinces announced changes this year including New Brunswick.
That province will provide upfront financial assistance for students from families with an annual income of $60,000 or less.
Michaela Sam says tutition fees need to be restructured.
“Tuition fees are deregulated in Nova Scotia. There is essentially a tuition fee free for all in the province right now, and so, what the government actually needs to do is freeze and reduce tuition fees.”
Sam says students in Nova Scotia complete school with an average of $37,000 in debt.
She says they have recommended a 100 per cent grant based program to the province.
“And what that would do is give students funding upfront and actually alleviate some of those barriers that exist trying to access post-secondary education.”
Nova Scotia has student-assistance programs but reimburse students once they graduate.
The province has the third highest tuition fees in Canada at an average of $6,817 a year.
