University of Alberta students are waiting with bated breath – and dwindling bank accounts – to find out whether they’ll be on the hook to pay more tuition next year.
The university has proposed a tuition increase of 5.5 percent for domestic students and 6.5 percent for international students. A decision is likely next month, however, with a group of graduate students saying any increase, especially now, would be harmful.
“Students are in crisis,” said graduate student Andrea DiCesredi. “Students are facing a lot of trouble in buying food, affording their rent and paying their tuition.
“Due to rising cost of living and increasing cost of tuition, they are focusing more on trying to keep a roof over their heads and food in their stomachs, instead of focusing on their academic studies. And the whole situation is completely untenable.
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“It is incredibly cruel for the University of Alberta to propose a tuition increase on students who are already struggling.”
Last week, the University of Calgary announced a fourth consecutive tuition increase, leading students to protest the increase on Friday.
DeCeseredi said talks are underway for a possible strike or mass action on the U of A campus for protests.
“They are raising tuition and blaming it on inflation but there are no services and supports for the students who are going to have to deal with this.”
In the fall of 2022, the university shifted to a shared services model, leaving many graduate students without contracts and without pay. Adding to the tuition increase is a pay cut for graduate students, who are already not being paid properly, DeCesredi said.
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While universities are the ones who decide when and by how much to raise tuition, Premier Danielle Smith said Saturday she would speak with provincial competency minister Matt Jones to see what could be done.
“There are other things we need to do and we are looking at some support for the students,” Smith said on 630 CHED’s. Your Province, Your Premier, “I don’t want to speculate on how that will happen. The advice has to go through our caucus and cabinet but we are actively talking about how we can give some support to students.
,I fully understand that this unique inflationary environment is affecting post-secondary students in many ways. I can confirm that the Government of Alberta is actively exploring options to help our secondary students during these difficult times,” said Demetrios Nicolaides, the province’s Minister of Advanced Education,
“This work is in addition to measures already taken that include nearly $30 million in new funding for student aid over three years and adjustments requested by students, loan limits and eligibility. The limit remains in effect.”
On Sunday, a university spokesperson said in an emailed statement that they have been consulting with students on tuition for four months.
“U of A… is incorporating feedback to support student proposals and help ensure the continued quality of our programs. Student engagement and participation are essential to this process.
“The University of Alberta offers students a number of financial aid options and opportunities based on their financial needs and qualifications. Financial aid has increased every year since the tuition freeze ended, and as in previous years, the upcoming offer will offer additional students Assistance Fund will be considered.
Dekeseredi said something needs to be done soon because post-secondary education is becoming a distant prospect for many.
“The continued increase in tuition is forcing people to move out and we want to encourage and we want more people to pursue higher education because the University of Alberta, helping many international students who come to study here Since, producing phenomenal research.”
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