Wow, a whole $150 bucks per student.

While I appreciate the gesture and realize that they’re planning on distributing funds to over half a million students, that grant is nothing compared to the fact that a single course (out of a total schedule, of say, 5 per semester) may require students to purchase texts that cost upwards of $100. To me, this grant barely qualifies as a band-aid solution.

New grant good start but high debt needs to be priority, students say

The Textbook and Technology Grant, which was reiterated by John Milloy on September 10, announced the commitment from the 2008 budget which allocated $385 million to assist with the ever-increasing costs of textbooks and technology for full-time community college and university students. This investment starts at $150 per student this fall, increasing to $225 in the fall of 2009 and $300 in subsequent years.

�Students welcome this investment aimed at addressing the increasing costs of textbooks and technology,� says Trevor Mayoh, President of the Ontario Undergraduate Student Alliance (OUSA), �However, we believe that an investment of this size would have a greater impact if it was targeted at those who need it the most. For example, an investment this large would significantly reduce the unacceptably high debt levels for students in Ontario.�

The investment committed for the Textbook and Technology Grant highlights the recognition by the provincial government that the cost of education is growing outside of traditional indicators, such as tuition, and that financial support must follow. However, focusing on a universal delivery mechanism, rather than one that is focused on students with the highest financial need, does little to address the persistent barriers to access and affordability.

�Along with the provincial government and institutional student aid offices, we will be informing students across the province that this grant is available to them this year. We want to make sure that every eligible student benefits from this opportunity,� says Howie Bender, Executive Director of the Ontario Undergraduate Student Alliance (OUSA). �At the same time, we will continue to engage our provincial leaders in serious discussions to ensure that investments target high debt levels and the reduction of financial, social and informational barriers for underrepresented groups.�

OUSA represents the interests of more than 135,000 professional and undergraduate, full- and part-time university students at seven institutions across the province.

For further information, contact:
Trevor Mayoh, President, OUSA: 519-497-6773
Howie Bender, Executive Director, OUSA: 647-504-7010