Letter: Cancelling tuition grant would hurt students

SooToday.com received the following letter from Mike McNeice
, Northern Regional Coordinator of the Ontario Young Liberals, in reponse to Tim Hudak's proposal to cancel the 30% off tuition grant.

*************************
We often hear about how apathetic young people are about anything other than our narrow, day-to-day self-interests. I disagree.

Many people my age (I’m 22 years old) are following closely decisions being debated by political parties on the issues that are important to them.

One such issue that directly impacts postsecondary students in Ontario is the 30% Off Tuition Grant.

The grant was created by the Liberal government in 2012 and now helps over 230,000 low- and middle-income students pay for their tuition each year.

How much?

Eligible students attending a university like Algoma received $1,730 this past year, and college students going to schools like Sault College received $790 to pay for their tuition.

That goes a long way towards helping students like me pay for school.

In fact, I recently heard Brad Duguid, the Minister responsible for Training, Colleges and Universities make the point that university students who receive the grant actually pay less in net tuition than students 10 years ago.

That’s why I was so alarmed when I heard that Progressive Conservative Leader Tim Hudak is promising to cancel the grant if he becomes Premier. Cancelling the 30% Off Tuition Grant would be a huge step backwards for students planning to go to University or College in Ontario.

I would expect Mr. Hudak to be focusing on ways to make sure students have more access to a postsecondary education, not less.

As students, we keep hearing about how our economy requires a highly skilled workforce.

By cancelling this grant program, the Hudak PCs would increase costs for students and put the opportunity to learn and train for these good, high paying jobs out of reach for many young people across this province.

Tim Hudak’s plan to cancel such an important program for students is a definite step in the wrong direction.

To pledge your support to save the 30% Off Tuition Grant, check out this campaign: www.save30off.ca.

Regards,

Mike McNeice

Northern Regional Coordinator - Ontario Young Liberals

*************************