UNB president welcomes Tuition Access Bursary
Author: Communications
Posted on Apr 14, 2016
Category: UNB Fredericton , UNB Saint John
University of New Brunswick President Eddy Campbell welcomed the announcement from the provincial government today extending free tuition to students from low- and middle-income families in New Brunswick.
“I think the province has done the right thing here,” Dr. Campbell said. “I’m delighted. When we’re trying to recruit students from low-income backgrounds, they are particularly concerned at the cost. This is aimed right at them and really allows us to say the cost is no longer an issue.”
According to the government press release, starting in September 2016, the Tuition Access Bursary will top up the current federal grant to cover the complete cost of post-secondary education. The bursary is available to New Brunswick students from families with an annual income of less than $60,000 attending publicly-funded universities or colleges in the province.
The release also states that an estimated 7,100 students will be eligible to immediately benefit from the bursary, representing about 23 per cent of New Brunswick students in the province’s public post-secondary institutions. Among students who apply for student financial assistance, the government says more than half will qualify for the bursary.
Dr. Campbell notes that about half of all students who attend UNB are the first in their families to go to university and he expects many of those will qualify for the new bursary. He also expects the program will help grow enrolment at UNB.
Premier Brian Gallant outlined the bursary program today at the University of New Brunswick.