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
Half of Canadians have negative opinion of latest Liberal budget: poll
A new poll suggests the Liberals have not won over voters with their latest budget, though there is broad support for their plan to build millions of homes.
Twins from Toronto were Canada's top two female finishers at this year's Boston Marathon
When identical twin sisters Kim and Michelle Krezonoski were invited to compete against some of the world’s most elite female runners at last week’s Boston Marathon, they were in disbelief.
opinion Why you should protect your investments by naming a trusted contact person
Appointing a trusted person to help with financial obligations can give you peace of mind. In his personal finance column for CTVNews.ca, Christopher Liew outlines the key benefits of naming a confidant to take over your financial responsibilities, if the need ever arises.
Ottawa injects another $36M into vaccine injury compensation fund
The federal government has added $36.4 million to a program designed to support people who have been seriously injured or killed by vaccines since the end of 2020.
Senate expenses climbed to $7.2 million in 2023, up nearly 30%
Senators in Canada claimed $7.2 million in expenses in 2023, a nearly 30 per cent increase over the previous year.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
Accused of burglary at stepmother's home, U.S. senator says she wanted her father's ashes: charges
A Minnesota state senator and former broadcast meteorologist told police that she broke into her stepmother's home because her stepmother refused to give her items of sentimental value from her late father, including his ashes, according to burglary charges filed Tuesday.
Australian police arrest 7 alleged teen extremists linked to stabbing of a bishop in a Sydney church
Australian police arrested seven teenagers accused of following a violent extremist ideology in raids across Sydney on Wednesday, as a judge extended a ban on social media platform X sharing video of a knife attack on a bishop that started the criminal investigation.