Tuesday, September 06, 2011
VANCOUVER--British Columbia's record high student debt is a concern for the majority of it's citizens, according to a new poll released by Ipsos commissioned by the Federation of Post Secondary Educators of BC (FPSE) and the Canadian Federation of Students-BC (CFS-BC).

"University and college education in BC is a debt sentence," said Zach Crispin, Chairperson of the CFS-BC. "The BC government needs to take action to reduce tuition fees and to eliminate student debt."

Highlights of the poll include:
• 92% of British Columbians think that high tuition fees are making it difficult for low-income families to participate in post-secondary education
• 87% want tuition fees frozen or reduced in BC
• Only 33% of British Columbians approve of the BC Liberals' handling of post-secondary education issues

"Saddling this generation of students with massive debt is no way to ensure a prosperous future for British Columbia. This polls shows that the people of BC want affordable education in BC to be a priority." said Cindy Oliver, President of the FPSE.

At $27,000 after a four-year program, student debt in BC has never been higher. BC ranks dead-last among the provinces in grants and other student aid disbursements.A summary of the poll can be downloaded at http://db.tt/QCuWLD7

The Canadian Federation of Students-BC is composed of 150,000 students in British Columbia from 17 universities and colleges. Post-secondary students in Canada have been represented by the Canadian Federation of Students and its predecessor organisations since 1927.

Related Site: http://db.tt/QCuWLD7
Contact: Zach Crispin, Chairperson
Tel: 604-733-1880
Contact: Ian Boyko, Communications Coordinator
Tel: 778-686-793