August 14, 2013 - 5:33am
NANAIMO, B.C: Vancouver Island University is taking the lead on a new initiative aimed at making post-secondary education more accessible for youth in care.
Beginning September 2013, VIU will run a pilot project – the Youth in Care Tuition Waiver Program – and waive tuition for eligible students who have grown up in the care system. It will be the first step in overcoming financial barriers that make it difficult for these students to consider and achieve success in higher education.
VIU is committed to taking the lead on this project particularly because many families in the regions VIU serves live below the poverty line. On Vancouver Island alone there are just over 900 youth in care under a continuing custody order, the majority of whom (63.8%) are Aboriginal, a percentage that has been on the rise for seven years.
Studies have also shown that “even with some tuition money available to youth in care, they are 50% more likely to attend post-secondary education”. Programs such as the Tuition Waiver Program are a critical piece in ensuring more youth in care can go on to access post-secondary education and the myriad of opportunities it affords, including better employment options and increased self-sufficiency.
VIU has been in discussion with the Government of British Columbia, the Representative for Children and Youth and various regional child and family service authorities to launch the program. Discussions are also occurring with respect to covering additional costs for the students.
The program is the first of its kind in B.C. and over the course of the year, VIU will work with participating students to identify other financial barriers or necessary supports they need to achieve success including housing, books, work study opportunities or counselling.
The pilot project will begin at VIU in September 2013. Students may be eligible for this tuition waiver if they meet the following criteria:
• Have applied and been accepted to Vancouver Island University
• Must be at least 18 or turning 18 in the 2013/2014 academic year
• Demonstrate financial need
• Recommended by a child and family services agency
QUOTES:
“VIU is proud to be the first university in BC to offer tuition waivers to qualifying youth in care,” says Dr. Ralph Nilson, VIU’s President and Vice-Chancellor.
“It’s critical that academic institutions take the lead on initiatives like this – initiatives aimed at ensuring as many people as possible can access post-secondary education and all of the opportunities, including employment opportunities, that are created through that experience.”
“Congratulations to Vancouver Island University for being the first out the door with this program. I encourage all our public post-secondary institutions to follow in their footsteps,” says Advanced Education Minister Amrik Virk.
“Exposing these students to the benefits of post-secondary education can open doors of opportunity and change lives.”
“VIU launching their tuition waiver program for former children and youth in care is great news. Many of these young people have faced extraordinary challenges throughout their lives and this program will help them secure a brighter future,” says Minister of Children and Family Development Stephanie Cadieux.
“We hope more public, post-secondary institutions in B.C. follow VIU’s lead.”
“Earlier this year, I challenged B.C.’s post-secondary institutions to waive tuition fees for children in care and I’m extremely pleased to see that Vancouver Island University has taken the lead in responding to this challenge,’’ says Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond, B.C.’s Representative for Children and Youth.
“I hope to see other educational leaders across the province follow VIU’s example. We must do all we can to inspire and enable children in care to access post-secondary education and have a chance to succeed alongside their peers. This is an important first step in that direction.”
“It is with profound gratitude that I thank VIU for leading the way on an initiative that will make the difference in the lives of many. The cycle of children coming into care has to change and today's announcement will be the beginning of positive change for those who have grown up in the care system,” says Bill Yoachim, Kw’umut Lelum Child and Family Services, Snuneymuxw Councilor, VIU Alumnus & Governor.
“I have a firm and enduring belief in the power of education to dramatically change a person’s life,” says VIU’s Chancellor Shawn A-in-chut Atleo.
“It opens up opportunities, boosts confidence and of course gives people the chance to secure better, more fulfilling employment opportunities. A program such as this, where tuition is waived, is a great step forward in opening opportunities for youth in care to access post-secondary education.”
For more information please see www.viu.ca/waiver.
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Media Contact
Janina Stajic, Manager, Communications & Public Engagement, Vancouver Island University
P:250.740.6288 C: 250.618.2360 E: Communications@viu.ca T: @viunews
BACKGROUNDER
Tuition Waiver Program
• Similar programs have been run successfully at other universities and colleges across Canada such as the University of Winnipeg.
• Vancouver Island University is the first university in BC to run a tuition waiver program.
• VIU has been in discussion with the Government of British Columbia, the Representative for Children and Youth and various regional child and family service authorities to launch the program, the first of its kind in BC.
Why the program is important
• There are more than 8,000 children and youth in care in BC.
• Of those, 4,300 are under a continuing custody order (CCO).
• Many families in the regions VIU serves live below the poverty line.
• On Vancouver Island there are just over 900 youth in care under a continuing custody order, the majority of whom (63.8%) are Aboriginal, a percentage that has been on the rise for seven years.
• Studies have shown that “even with some tuition money available to youth in care, they are 50% more likely to attend post-secondary education”.
Tags: In the Community
