New George Coles provincial bursary great news for first-year Island undergraduates

With the recent establishment of the $2,000 George Coles provincial bursary, Prince Edward Island undergraduate students entering first-year full-time studies have more reason than ever to attend UPEI.

The new bursary program was announced in the P.E.I. Throne Speech earlier this month. Premier Robert Ghiz announced more details, including the eligibility criteria, on April 17.

In addition to receiving the $2,000 George Coles Bursary in their first year, P.E.I. students will be eligible for additional provincial awards of $400, $600 and $600 in their second, third and fourth years respectively. Over four years, that adds up to $3,600 in financial support. With first-year tuition at just $4,440 for a full course load, UPEI's tuition is already the most affordable in the Maritimes. Now the financial picture for P.E.I. students is even more positive.

'This is a wonderful strategy to keep our young, bright students on the Island. We are thrilled,' says Vianne Timmons, vice-president of Academic Development at UPEI. 'The financial incentive of the new bursary, combined with our top-quality education and impressive teaching facilities, make for a very enticing package for students.'

Timmons recognized the important role that the UPEI Student Union has played in securing more financial support for students. "This is the announcement we hoped for," she said. "Our student union has also been advocating for it. They had a major role in making this happen."

Students who meet the criteria set by the P.E.I. Department of Innovation and Advanced learning will automatically receive the George Coles bursary in January, starting in 2009. The bursaries will be deposited directly into students' UPEI tuition accounts.

The following eligibility criteria for the George Coles Bursary have been provided by the P.E.I. Department of Innovation and Advanced Learning.

Students must:

1. be an Island resident, which means:

• the recipient must have graduated from an Island high school,

• the recipient's parent(s) must reside in Prince Edward Island, or

• the recipient has resided in Prince Edward Island for a period of 12 consecutive months while not attending an educational program;

2. be enrolled in a program leading to a post-secondary degree, diploma or certificate;

3. be a first-time student at the educational institution in the first year of a program;

4. be enrolled in a first-degree/diploma/certificate program;

5. be enrolled full-time for a period of at least 12 consecutive weeks;

6. provide their Social Insurance Number;

7. have not previously received the George Coles Bursary; and

8. not be receiving financial support from the Skills Development Program.

For more information, please contact Student Financial Services at (902) 368-4640 or at www.studentloan.pe.ca.