News

Nova Scotia can build the strongest student financial assistance system in Canada simply by redirecting money the Province already spends on students and graduates, according to a report released today by Students Nova Scotia (StudentsNS). The report finds that the Province’s Graduate Retention Rebate and Tuition and Education Tax Credit have little to no impact on retention, debt, or post-secondary access. By reallocating $40 million from these tax credits, the Province could dramatically improve its student assistance program to meet student needs for funding, ensure students’ parents or partners are not expected to provide support they cannot afford, and dramatically reduce student debt.

A report released today by Students Nova Scotia reveals that women are significantly under-represented in university student government across the Province. The State of Women’s Involvement in Post- Secondary Student Politics in Nova Scotia found that although almost 60% of university students identify as women, the same is true of only 41% of student government representatives and less than 1/3 of student union presidents since 2007-08.

Students Nova Scotia (StudentsNS) is welcoming the Kingstec Nova Scotia Community College Student Association (NSCCSA) as its newest member. The Kingstec NSCCSA voted to join StudentsNS as an Associate Member, joining 87% of Nova Scotia university students in the province’s primary student advocacy organization.

Students Nova Scotia, the provincial advocacy group representing 37,000 Nova Scotia post-secondary students, welcomed Nova Scotia’s new provincial government today. The Liberal Party made multiple commitments to students en route to its election win this past Tuesday.

Nova Scotia students welcomed the NDP’s commitment this weekend to continue increasing the minimum wage based on the Low Income Cut Off (LICO).

Nova Scotia students welcomed today’s commitment from the NDP to help graduates with student loans purchase their first home.

Nova Scotia students strongly support yesterday’s Liberal Party platform commitment to introduce $3.7 million in graduate research scholarships.

Nova Scotia students strongly support Liberal Party leader Stephen McNeil’s election promise to eliminate interest on provincial student loans.

Students Nova Scotia is condemning the misogynistic chant promoting sexual assault at Saint Mary’s University.

Nova Scotia students have repeated their calls for a freeze in tuition, as the Maritime Provinces’ Higher Education Commission (MPHEC) confirmed today that tuition in Nova Scotia grew faster than inflation again this year. Universities across the province increased their tuition by 3 percent, the maximum allowed by the Province, while provincial operating grants were cut by 3 percent.