Public input sought in student assistance review

A meeting seeking public input as part of a province-wide review of student assistance, which had been cancelled Monday because of the weather, will go ahead tonight (Thursday) at the Burridge Campus of the Nova Scotia Community College.

The Dec. 6 meeting will run from 7-9 p.m.

The Department of Education is asking students, parents and other interested people to share their views on the Nova Scotia Student Assistance Program. The department is holding eight public meetings, although submissions can also be made through a website.

The province-wide consultation process ensures the Department of Education will have direct input from students and other interested parties as it looks to enhance the program, Education Minister Karen Casey said when the review was announced.

The student assistance program provides financial assistance to students pursuing a post-secondary education. It offers loans and grants to eligible students.

The chair of the Alliance of Nova Scotia Student Associations, the province's biggest student group, is keenly interested in the review.

"This review is an opportunity to talk to students, their families and our community about their concerns with the current system," said Mike Tipping of the student associations alliance, a non-partisan lobby group representing more than 33,000 students in Nova Scotia.

Although Monday’s public meeting was cancelled, Tipping was in Yarmouth and spoke with students, including local nursing students, and said there are many examples in this area of how the student assistance program is lacking or failing students.

He urges people to come forward with their experiences when it comes to student assistance.

A report from the review will be delivered to the minister of education in early January.

Anyone unable to attend a public meeting can participate in the review online at www.SA-Review.ednet.ns.ca. The website will be open for submissions until Dec. 21.