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UNB student from Newfoundland wins free tuition contest

Author: UNB Newsroom

Posted on Oct 20, 2022

Category: UNB Saint John , UNB Fredericton

A University of New Brunswick (UNB) student, Ethan Tucker, was able to train and represent the Newfoundland men's volleyball team in the 2022 Summer Canada Games, thanks to winning the UNB First Year’s Tuition Free contest.

The draw held in June randomly selects a winner to receive a grand prize of free domestic undergraduate tuition with an approximate retail value of $8,830 to $11,844 depending on the program.

Over the summer, Tucker trained for his first-ever Canada Games, which was held in Niagara Falls, Ontario.

“I didn't expect to win at all,” said Tucker. “Winning free tuition was a huge financial help for me since I prioritized training over a part-time job this summer.”

“My team and I had been training for almost four months before the games in August,” he added. “I had planned on staying on the court at home to prepare for university volleyball, as well as to work this summer if I hadn’t made the Canada Games team.”

Tucker is enrolled in the bachelor of science program with a major in biology on the UNB Saint John campus and plays for the Seawolves men’s volleyball team.

UNB was an easy choice for Tucker as his parents are UNB alum. In fact, UNB is where his parents first met.

“I’m really enjoying UNB’s campus in Saint John,” said Tucker. “It’s a great fit for me here, and the smaller, tight-knit campus culture makes it easy to adjust. Our volleyball coach, Dino, makes our team feel like a family too.”

UNB First Year’s Tuition Free contest was designed to help incoming and prospective students, just like Tucker, begin their UNB journey supported by the university regardless of their background or program.

“UNB’s recruitment office is proud to offer the gift of tuition in support of students who are on their way to making a meaningful difference,” said Dax McLean, director, recruitment and enrolment. “It’s been so rewarding to see first-hand the impact this contest has had on the winning students over the years and how it changes lives.”

Prospective students can enter the 2023 fall contest online or by completing a ballot at any UNB student recruitment event.

Students who will be attending university in 2024 may still enter the contest and have the chance to win a secondary prize consisting of a MacBook Air or iPad Pro. Approximate retail value of each is $1,199 and $1,130. See rules and eligibility.

Media contact: Kathleen McLaughlin