Richard Brown, Minister of Innovation and Advanced Learning, today reminded Island students about the new government bursary program to help make post-secondary education more affordable on Prince Edward Island.
The George Coles Bursary, announced in April, is available to Island students registered in a full-time program at UPEI, Holland College or Collège Acadie Î.-P.-É. Students attending UPEI will receive $2,000 in their first year of study. Students registered in a 2-year program at Holland College or Collège Acadie Î.-P.-É. will receive varying amounts based upon the rate of tuition.
Minister Brown said the purpose of the bursary is to encourage Island students to further their education after high school and to support PEI’s publicly funded post-secondary institutions by encouraging students to continue their studies on PEI.
“Government recognizes that access to post-secondary education is really about ability to pay,” said Brown. “This investment in the education costs of our youth will provide the opportunities they need to participate fully in today’s economy.”
Brown said the bursary will be a significant help to Island families facing the cost of post-secondary education.
“It is a priority of this government to increase the numbers of students pursuing post-secondary education by increasing the affordability and accessibility of higher education,” he said. “Our economy is increasingly dependent upon specialized knowledge and skills and we are working hard to ensure Islanders can meet the challenges of our changing economy.”
For more information, contact Student Financial Services at 902-368-4640 or visit the website at www.studentloan.pe.ca.