Alberta announces grant expansion to help low-income nursing students
The provincial government has announced $8.5-million in funding to assist low-income nursing students.
The money will be added to Alberta's existing New Beginnings Bursary, created last year with the intention of increasing access to post-secondary education for those with financial constraints.
The government says with the money, up to 1,700 students will be will be eligible for a one-time, non-repayable $5,000 bursary.
In a news release, the UCP says recipients in nursing programs will be automatically selected from student loan applicants who meet program and financial eligibility criteria.
"We want to ensure every student can gain the knowledge and skills they need to build successful careers at home and secure Alberta’s future," said Advanced Education Minister Demetrios Nicolaides said,
"By increasing education opportunities for Albertans, we improve the chances of retaining home-grown talent," added Health Minister Jason Copping.
Tim Rahilly, president and vice-chancellor at Mount Royal University, says increased financial supports like the bursary help students focus on their education.
MRU nursing student Nancy Tran says being able to access affordable education was vital when she decided to become a nurse.
"This new funding through the New Beginnings Bursary will help so many more nurses access the training they need to go on to have successful careers in the healthcare sector," Tran said.
Lethbridge College nursing student Addison Janzen says the announcement made her feel relieved.
"It's a very hard program to go through because it's very demanding, so a lot of us either don't have the opportunity to work or we're overworking ourselves just trying to make it through.
"It's very exciting to see that the government is supporting us financially now,” Janzen said.
Students in other programs, however, would to see similar supports and bursaries made available to them.
"How about bringing back our supports that institutions have had to cut because of their budget cuts from the government?" asked Lethbridge College Students Association vice president of finance Niculina Jensen.
"All these other things help out students a lot.”
By the end of the 2023-24 academic year, the province says 3,400 low-income students will have benefited from the bursary, at a total investment of $17 million.By the end of the 2023-24 academic year, the province says 3,400 low-income students will have benefited from the bursary, at a total investment of $17 million.
NDP SLAMS BURSARY AMID POST-SECONDARY CUTS
NDP advanced education critic David Eggen says the announcement is pennies on the collar compared to the cuts and increased costs students have faced under the UCP.
"Tuition at the University of Calgary has increased 33 per cent since 2019, with international students facing a 40 per cent increase in costs. This includes an eight per cent increase to nursing tuition next year and comes at a time when we are already facing a shortage of nurses," Eggen said.
"At the same time, the UCP has cut almost $700 million from post-secondary institutions, and most students don’t qualify for affordability payments as the cost of groceries, utilities, and auto insurance continues to increase under the UCP."
Eggen said if elected in the upcoming provincial election, the NDP would invest in post-secondary institutions in order to make education "more affordable, while building a skilled workforce and resilient economy."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'He didn't want to die': Family of Calgary man killed in standoff speaks out
Family of a Calgary man killed after a 30-hour standoff with police last week are speaking out, sharing details of the tense and heart-wrenching experience.
Toronto family doctor who called patient's body 'perfect' suspended for 3 months: tribunal
A family doctor in Toronto has been suspended for three months after a disciplinary tribunal found that he failed to follow proper protocols while examining a patient's breasts and made inappropriate comments about her body.
Ohio mom who left toddler alone 10 days when she went on vacation pleads guilty to aggravated murder
An Ohio mother whose 16-month-old daughter died after being left home alone in a playpen for 10 days last summer while she went on vacation was sentenced Monday to life in prison with no chance of parole.
Canadian commander of volunteer fighter group dies in Ukraine
A Canadian-born commander of the so-called Norman Brigade, a volunteer fighting group in Ukraine, has died.
5 charged in Calgary kidnappings that targeted women
Calgary police have charged five men in a pair of kidnappings last year that targeted innocent victims.
Demand soars for solar eclipse glasses in Canada. Are they worth buying?
The demand for total solar eclipse glasses used to safely view the rare celestial event has been ramping up as sellers, along with astronomy and eye-care experts in Canada, warn that viewing the eclipse with the naked eye is dangerous.
Woman, 18, killed by co-worker's vehicle on Highway 1 in Moose Jaw
Moose Jaw police say an 18-year-old woman who was at work has died from injuries she sustained in a collision with a vehicle being driven by her co-worker last Thursday.
Retired teacher pleads guilty to paying for sex with 15-year-old in Collingwood, Ont.
In a Barrie courtroom on Monday, a retired high school teacher from the Niagara Region pleaded guilty to sexual touching and obtaining sexual services from a 15-year-old boy in Collingwood in 2021.
MPs to vote on NDP motion calling on Canada to recognize Palestinian statehood
Members of Parliament will vote Monday on a motion from the federal New Democrats, calling on Canada to recognize the 'State of Palestine,' among a range of other calls to action in regards to the ongoing Israel-Gaza conflict.