The Government of Alberta is expanding its New Beginnings Bursary for Nursing students across the province.
The bursary was created last year to provide financial support to low-income students studying in eligible high-demand programs such as engineering, computer science and aircraft maintenance.
The $8.5 million expansion of the program will provide one-time, non-repayable $5,000 in aid to 1,700 nursing students. According to Advanced Education Minister Demetrios Nikolaides, recipients will be selected from among student loan applicants who meet program and financial eligibility criteria.
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The expansion of the program aims to make post-secondary education more affordable for nursing students and help nurses enter Alberta’s health care sector.
The Alberta government said that by the end of the 2023-24 academic year, approximately 3,400 low-income students in a variety of areas will be fully supported. In total, the government said it has invested $17 million in the program.
“Every Albertan deserves access to a high-quality education. Cost should not be a barrier,” Nicolaides told reporters on Wednesday.
“The Government of Alberta is working to ensure that all Albertans have the opportunity to learn and train for rewarding careers.”
Wednesday’s announcement comes as Alberta continues efforts to bring more nurses into the workforce as the health system struggles to keep up with demand for services.
Unions representing health professionals have said a nursing shortage in Alberta is tantamount to a staffing crisis. During labor talks amid the COVID-19 pandemic, a nurses union expressed its dismay when the province’s health authority proposed a pay rollback for nurses. A deal was later confirmed that saw the nurses receive a pay rise.
Nancy Tran, a fourth-year nursing student at Mount Royal University, said the New Beginnings bursary would help ease the burden she and her classmates are shouldering.
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Post-secondary education is expensive, she said, and many are working one or two part-time jobs to cover tuition and basic needs.
“As a student, there are a lot of things to keep on top of, both inside and outside of the classroom,” Tran said during Wednesday’s news conference.
“Financial aid, such as the New Beginnings Bursary, will reduce[financial stress]… it means we can focus on our education when we don’t have to stress about money.”
Opposition advanced education critic David Eagen said the extension was “penny on the dollar” because the United Conservative government has cut funding for post-secondary education.
UCP’s 2019 budget cut advanced education spending 5 percent compared to 2018. Funding for secondary education will drop by 12 percent by 2023.
Eggen added students facing tuition hike: Most domestic graduate students at the University of Calgary will see their tuition fees increase by 5.5 per cent next year.
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However, nursing students will see an increase of eight per cent.
Nicolaides did not extend additional support to post-secondary students, most of whom are not eligible for the province’s affordability payment program.
However, he added that the government is working to find ways to provide financial support for secondary students.
“Currently additional measures and additional supports specifically for secondary students are being explored and discussed. We will have more in the coming weeks,” said the minister.
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