OTTAWA--The Alberta Ministry of Advanced Education and Technology has clarified that yesterday's budget will not remove the cap on student debt of approximately $29,000 for a four-year degree, but have instead eliminated a first-year grant of a similar name.

"While student debt will remain capped, the budget still means increase the indebtedness of Alberta's students," said Katherine Giroux-Bougard, Chairperson of the Canadian Federation of Students. "Driving students deeper into debt will not move Alberta forward."

The budget proposes to cut the provincial student grants program by $51 million, replacing many grants (including the first-year loan relief grant), scholarships and bursaries with loans. The budget contains a $205 million cut in post-secondary education funding that includes infrastructure and research and development investments."The Alberta Ministry of Advanced Education and Technology has confirmed that the tuition cap will remain in place," said Giroux-Bougard. "However, the Minister is leaving the door open to tuition fee increases for some programs."

Tuition fees in Alberta rose 4% between 2008 and 2009 according to Statistics Canada. Universities in Alberta have already requested that the Ministry of Advanced Education and Technology allow increases of up to $4,000 for professional program fees next year.

The Canadian Federation of Students is Canada's largest student organisation. It is composed of over 80 university and college students' associations with a combined membership of over one half million students in all ten provinces.