Government announces measures to make 
post-secondary education more affordable for students

Sandra C. Kelly, Minister of Youth Services and Post-Secondary Education, has announced that government is providing $3.3 million in additional funding to Memorial University of Newfoundland to enable a 10 per cent reduction in tuition fees for students, commencing in September, 2001. Funding will also be provided to the College of the North Atlantic to enable a continuation of the tuition freeze for students in the next academic year.

The tuition reduction at Memorial University of Newfoundland will affect all programs, with the exception of the Marine Institute (which has similar fees to the College of the North Atlantic) and the Medical School, where tuition fees will remain frozen.

"These measures highlight government�s commitment to making post-secondary education more affordable in our province. We are building on the efforts we have already made to address the serious issue of student debt, such as keeping tuition frozen at 1998-1999 levels," said Minister Kelly.

Tuition fees at Memorial University of Newfoundland are currently $3,300 per academic year, which consists of two terms. The tuition reduction will therefore translate into a savings of $330 each year.

Tuition at Memorial University is currently the lowest in Atlantic Canada. With the continuation of the tuition freeze at the College of the North Atlantic, for the third consecutive year, the college will continue to have one of the lowest tuition fees in Atlantic Canada.

Media contact: Jackie Simon, Communications, (709) 729-6573.

2001 03 22                  4:55 p.m.