% of the cost for the athletics and recreation center, simply because most activities will only be accessible online. But other than that, all overhead, tuition fees are the same, if not higher than last year
There has been a 50% reduction in fees for the center. athletics and recreation, simply because most activities will only be accessible online. But other than that all overhead, tuition is the same if not higher than last year !
There has been a 50% reduction in fees for the athletics and recreation center, simply because most of the activities will only be available online. But other than that all overhead, tuition fees are the same if not higher than last year
, says Brooklyn Frizzle, vice-president of academic affairs for the McGill University Student Association.
At York University, student Nate Denaro calculated that even with reduced fees, he will spend around $ 270 this year on the athletics and recreation center.
Same story for Fifi Wei, who is about to start her freshman year at Sheridan College. She noticed on her bill that she will have to pay for a health center that is on campus… to which she will not have access. These fees are not optional, however, the administration of the institution informed him.
Julia Pereira
Photo: Photo submitted by Julia Pereira
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It is a difficult time and a lot of students are struggling financially. They prepare to pay tuition fees on top of their living expenses, this adds to the financial stress.
Especially since the pandemic did not allow all students to have a job during the summer either, recalls Sébastien Lalonde, president of the Caucus of the North region of the Canadian Federation of Students in Ontario.
Sebastien lalonde
Photo: Radio-Canada / Ramin Pezeshki
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The government gives the Canada emergency benefit to students, but it is only $ 1,250, unlike the Canada emergency benefit of $ 2,000, that puts limits.
Petitions for lower tuition fees
At several universities, such as Ryerson in Toronto and Concordia in Montreal, students have launched online petitions asking university administrations to review the amount they charge.
Several university associations agree to ask their respective educational institutions to at least reduce the related costs, invoiced for student activities and sports facilities, for example, which will not be used.
We ask that if the student invoice has been paid and the student does not have access to the service, that it be refunded. Any consumer, if he does not have access to the product he paid for, he is reimbursed, this is the basis.
At the moment, there is no announcement from universities to say if they will withdraw any particular fees
, adds Jade Marcil. She also points out that there are agreements that exist between university administrations and student associations to charge certain fees.
Even if some activities are no longer available, some administrations are really slow to decide whether they will reimburse students or not.
, she says.
Some universities reduce the related fees
For their part, several post-secondary institutions contacted say they are sensitive to the economic difficulties facing their students, and some adjust fees to take this into account.
At Sheridan College, for example, the additional costs that normally support sports facilities have been reduced.
York University in Toronto
Photo : CBC
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At York and Ryerson Universities, many services, such as career-related services and libraries, have moved online. The costs therefore remain in place.
In contrast, at Concordia and McGill, it is planned to charge students for the related fees, unless services become completely unavailable this semester.
Request a reduction in tuition fees
Some students would also like a reduction in tuition fees because the quality is not the same online, they say. But universities claim that virtual education costs the same amount and has the same result as in-person classes.
University of Toronto
Photo : Radio-Canada / (Evan Mitsui/CBC)
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The University justifies its position by saying that the courses will be the same and the quality will be the same, but our own experience tells us that online learning is certainly not the same as in person and highlights a crowd of new obstacles
, considers Muntaka Ahmed, president of the Students’ Association of the University of Toronto.
Especially in certain fields, according to her, such as the Faculty of Arts and Sciences.
We have learned that many of the courses that were supposed to be repeated in person will eventually be delivered online, due to Public Health guidelines. This change was made when some students are already enrolled. We believe that it is not fair that the University charges the same amount when the teaching will not be the same as last year
, she says.
Same story for Sébastien Lalonde, who graduated this year. I did my end-of-year exams online, and a lot of people had issues including international students with jet lag, universities weren’t ready and neither were we
, he said.
The University of Montreal.
Photo : Getty Images / Sébastien St-Jean
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In Ontario, tuition fees for Canadian students are frozen, but not for international students.
% for international students “,” text “:” According to financial projections from a few years ago, the university should increase tuition fees by 5.3% for international students “}}” lang = “en “>According to financial projections from a few years ago, the university is expected to increase tuition fees by 5.3% for international students
, specifies the president of the Students’ Association of the University of Toronto.
Outside of Ontario, some universities, such as McGill in Montreal, have on the contrary increased their tuition fees, which are indexed.
% “,” text “:” For us, that’s an increase of 3.1% “}}” lang = “fr”>For us, that’s an increase of 3.1%
, estime Brooklyn Frizzle.
Responses from ministries
On the side of the Quebec Ministry of Higher Education, a spokesperson replies by email that the government does not intend to reduce tuition fees.
It is important to remember that Quebec students benefit from one of the lowest tuition fees in Canada and one of the most generous financial assistance plans. The ministry is currently studying the possibilities of improving the Loans and Bursaries Program.
, specifies the email.
The Ontario Ministry of Colleges and Universities recalls in an email:% of tuition fees, which are frozen for the next year. In addition, the implementation of online courses required adjustments to online platforms and this was costly for institutions. “,” Text “:” In 2019-2020 the government introduced a 10% reduction in fees tuition fees, which are frozen for the next year. In addition, the implementation of online courses required adjustments to online platforms and this was expensive for institutions. “}}” Lang = “fr”>In 2019-2020, the government introduced a 10% reduction in tuition fees, which are frozen for the next year. In addition, the implementation of online courses required adjustments to online platforms and this was expensive for institutions.
Governments must help universities
Student associations do not intend to let go, however: governments must get more involved and untie the purse strings.
We would like to see a subsidy from the federal government and cooperation between provincial ministries in order, ultimately, to achieve free post-secondary education.
, explains Sébastien Lalonde.
At the moment, there have been communications with the Ministry of Higher Education to find out how it could help the universities. We are asking that he commit to helping universities that need to reimburse certain costs
, adds Jade Marcil.
The future and the well-being of students are at stake, they say, but also, in the long term, the country’s economy.
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