More Financial Support for New, Returning, and Transferring Students

The provincial government announced today that, beginning in September, all full-time Island students in their first and second year at UPEI will receive a new provincial grant of $400 through the enhanced Island Student Awards program. Third- and fourth-year students will continue to receive a $600 bursary each year.

This announcement is the second piece of good news for students in the past month. On July 4, the UPEI Board of Governors announced that the University had cut undergraduate and graduate tuition rates for the upcoming academic year by ten per cent.

"This is great news for UPEI, and for current and future students. UPEI tuition is already the lowest of any Maritime university. These substantial awards make UPEI an even better value, together with a premium quality education, for students who are entering, returning or transferring," says UPEI President Wade MacLauchlan.

Education Minister Gerard Greenan noted that the new programs will provide students with up to $2,000 in provincial government grants over the course of their programs. “The awards are an incentive for Island students to stay at home to study and to complete their programs. These new and enhanced programs, which are more generous and fair, will make it easier for more Island students to access the high quality post-secondary programs available here on the Island,” he said.

Students do not have to apply for the awards. They will receive letters from the provincial government in early December advising them that the grant has been deposited in their tuition accounts.

Minister Greenan said planning will begin soon to implement the New Beginnings program in September, 2008. This new program will provide Island students entering UPEI with a $2,000 grant.