Free tuition

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

by Denise Pelaccia

Struggling students in Windsor have been delighted by news the provincial government will be paying the full cost of their tuition.

Finance Minister, Charles Sousa announced free tuition for students from families making less than $50,000 a year.

Future post-secondary students, mainly those coming from high school, are excited about this decision as it allows them to explore their academic options.

“This is a great opportunity for those kids that- it’s like, it’s one less thing that you have to worry about. You know what I mean? Especially those kids that want to go away for school. I think it’s a great opportunity,” said Sabrina Ujj, a grade ten student from St. Thomas of Villanova.

Ujj added that this will mean going to college or university without the burden of accumulating a large debt.

However, free tuition will not help current and past students.

University of Windsor alumni Robbie Cervi said it is not fair for past students who are forced to deal with debt and he feels the government should now reimburse him for his tuition.

“I know that plenty of my friends and myself included have put like ridiculous amounts of money in order to get these degrees and now that their offering so much more reimbursements, maybe they could create some sort of program where like you show them your credentials and time spent and you could get some money back for it,” said Cervi. “You know, if that’s what their willing to do for current students.”

Cervi may believe only recent graduates should benefit but not all are of this mindset. Current St. Clair College student Jamie Reaume said it should be for all students, regardless of income. Reaume said there are many families who have financial issues.

“I think it’s good, but I don’t think it should just be focused on low-income, I think it should be all the students,” said Reaume. “(sic) Cause it can get really expensive, especially for people that have like multiple children that are all going to school around the same time, so I think it should be for everybody not just them.”

Aside from free tuition for low-income families, households bringing in between $50,000 and $83,000 continue to received reduced levels of tuition help.

Canada will soon be added onto the list of countries that do have free tuition alongside Brazil, Germany, Finland, France, Norway, Slovenia and Sweden.