News Releases
Government Home Search Sitemap Contact Us  


September 10, 1999
(Education)


Millennium Scholarships available for post-secondary students

Representatives from the provincial Department of Education and the Canadian Millennium Scholarship Foundation (CMS) have signed an agreement providing $5.75 million in scholarships to post-secondary students facing financial difficulties and those with exceptional merit.

The Canadian Millennium Scholarship program was announced in the 1998 federal budget as a response to concerns about the adequacy of financial assistance to post-secondary students facing financial difficulties.

The scholarships will be awarded starting in January 2000 to an expected 2,000 Newfoundland and Labrador post-secondary students. Fifty per cent of each award will be provided directly to students to assist with the current costs of studying, with the balance being applied against individual students' accumulated debt. Students do not have to apply for these scholarships as their eligibility will be determined through the student aid application process.

"Although we would have liked a greater portion of the fund to be allocated to this province because of our great need, this agreement is an important step in increasing access to post-secondary education for all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians," said Judy Foote, Minister of Education. "I welcome this agreement as it will provide much needed financial relief to many of our full time post-secondary students."

"Funding post-secondary education has been a challenge for many students in this province and country. I am pleased that the foundation was able to conclude an agreement with the province so that students in Newfoundland and Labrador can avail of much needed support to complete their program and prepare for the challenges of the millennium," said Norman Riddell, CMS Foundation executive director and CEO.

A small percentage, approximately five per cent, will be available as entrance scholarships for high school students who demonstrate academic excellence, exceptional leadership and community service. These scholarships will be available in September 2000

The Canadian Millennium Scholarship Foundation is an autonomous organization created by the Parliament of Canada to promote access to post-secondary education. Dr. Arthur May is Newfoundland and Labrador's representative on the CMS Foundation.

Media contact:
Jean La Pierre, Canadian Millennium Scholarship Foundation
(514) 294-7235

Nancy Healey, Director of Communications, Department of Education
(709) 729-0048

1999 09 09                                 9:30 a.m.


SearchHomeBack to GovernmentContact Us


All material copyright the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador. No unauthorized copying or redeployment permitted. The Government assumes no responsibility for the accuracy of any material deployed on an unauthorized server.
Disclaimer/Copyright/Privacy Statement