Families are encouraged to support their children as they consider college or university, says Workforce and Advanced Learning Minister Richard Brown.“When education and learning are valued in the home, children are more likely to pursue post-secondary education and training,” said Minister Brown. “This is one of the greatest investments a parent can make. By supporting a child in higher education, you can set them on a path to rewarding careers and satisfying work.”
The Maritime Province Higher Education Commission released a study September 1, saying that parents were the single biggest influence of a child’s decision to attend university, followed by other family members.
“That’s what happened in my family. If my older brother hadn’t gone to university maybe I wouldn’t have, but I could look at him and say I can do this too,” said Minister Brown. “Whether parents have been to college or university or not, it is an investment they can make in their kids that will pay off for a lifetime.”
The minister said a skilled and trained labour force is imperative to the prosperity of the province. “People who complete higher levels of education are likely to earn higher salaries and even to live longer, healthier lives than those who leave schooling early. Increasingly a college diploma or university degree is going to be a requirement for entering the workforce, and we want to make sure as many Islanders as possible can get a university or college education,” he said.
Higher education on Prince Edward Island has become the most affordable in the Maritimes thanks to low tuition rates and the Island’s grants and bursaries. Minister Brown said education becomes even more accessible when the effect of the George Coles Bursary ($2,200 in year one), the Island Student Awards ($400 in year two, $600 in years two and three) and the George Coles Graduate Scholarship ($1,400 upon graduation) are factored in. Over the course of a four year degree this provincial government support is roughly equal to a full year’s tuition, the minister said.
There is zero per cent interest on provincial student loans.
In numbers released August 28, the Maritime Provinces Higher Education Commission identified the University of Prince Edward Island as having the second lowest tuition rate of any Maritime university.
The Government of Prince Edward Island has invested over $350 million in post secondary institutions over the past five years.
Minister Brown said government has worked to keep higher education funding stable and to invest in new initiatives such as the Engineering Design Program at UPEI, the School of Performing Arts at Holland College, and a developing collaborative French-language education partnership between Collège Acadie and Holland College.
“I am proud of this government’s record on post-secondary education, and its commitment to keeping it affordable and accessible,” said Minister Brown.”“Our government is committed to working with the young people of Prince Edward Island to help them find training and careers that will allow them to live and thrive on Prince Edward Island. Our community becomes stronger socially and economically as we help young Islanders reach their full potential.”
Background:
MPHEC Release on Why Grade 12 Students Choose University - http://www.mphec.ca/media/109910/Media_Release_Why_Grade_12_students_choose_university_EN.pdf
MPHEC comparison of Tuitions at Maritime Universities –
http://www.mphec.ca/research/maritimeuniversitystatistics/tuitionsurvey.aspx