For Immediate Release: April 10, 2008
NEW GRANTS HELP STUDENT COMMUTERS
McGuinty Government Improving Access To Higher Education
NEWS
Starting this fall, the province will pick up part of the travel costs for students who commute long distances to get to college or university.
Until now, a lot of students living in rural or northern communities had to pay the full cost of getting to school on their own. This put a college or university education out of reach for some. Now, more students will get the opportunity to continue their education past high school.
Eligible students who go away to school will get a $300 annual grant to help them return home for visits with family. Students who live at home and commute regularly back and forth will get $500 each semester.
To be eligible for these grants, a student must live in a rural or northern community more than 80 kilometres away from a college or university.
About 24,000 students will benefit from the $27-million program over three years. Students will be able to apply for the grant online starting this year.
This is part of the $1.5-billion Skills to Jobs Action Plan announced in the government's 2008 Budget.
QUOTES
"More access to higher education means more opportunities for students down the road. We want to be there for students, so that they can be there for school," said Premier Dalton McGuinty.
"Today's students will build tomorrow's knowledge economy, so we want to do everything we can to make sure students get the support they need to succeed," said Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities John Milloy.
QUICK FACTS
About 120,000 students in Ontario get grants from the government.
Seven out of every 10 new jobs created in Ontario over the next decade will require postsecondary education or training.
Ontario has the highest proportion of university educated people aged 25 to 64 among G8 countries.
