UNB News
News and stories from one of Canada’s top universities

For many New Brunswick students, post-secondary education would not be possible without financial aid. Each year, the province invests millions in loans, grants, and bursaries to support students. But what difference does this support actually make?

DataNB's newest study looks at the return on investment of student financial assistance by asking three questions: Do students who receive aid enroll at higher rates? Are they more likely to graduate? And do they stay in New Brunswick after graduation?

The results show that financial aid is especially important for students from lower-income neighbourhoods, helping them access higher education and supporting their success in some fields. Financial aid is also linked to higher graduation rates in certain programs.

However, it does not appear to affect whether students remain in NB after graduation—likely because most graduates already stay. These findings highlight both the benefits and the limits of financial aid in shaping long-term outcomes for students and the province.