TORONTO, CANADA, August 27, 2007 — The Educational Policy Institute today released a report outlining changes in the Canadian student financial assistance system over the past 15 years. “The End of Need-Based Student Financial Aid in Canada?” – commissioned by the Canadian Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators - examines the most recent net tuition prices, explores recent student aid policy decisions in each jurisdiction, identifies what target groups (if any) are identified to receive aid and catalogues what students actually benefit.

The report provides valuable insight into the metamorphosis of the Canadian student financial aid system. What began as a structure founded on need-based principles (largely designed to assist underrepresented students) has been transformed to a predominantly non-need-based system of aid where little attention is paid to who receives benefits. This process has been slow and is largely a result of both federal and provincial government policies. The report also reveals that ideology has not played a part in the transformation since governments of both the left and right alike have invested with abandon into non-need-based projects (i.e., tuition fee freezes and tax credits). 

Click on the graphic to download the pdf file.

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The Educational Policy Institute is a non-profit research center focused in issues of educational opportunity, especially for our most needy populations. Based in Virginia Beach with offices in Toronto and Melbourne, EPI conducts program evaluation, policy analysis, and conducts professional development opportunities for educational professionals throughout the education continuum. Visit the EPI website at www.educationalpolicy.org.