OTTAWA--The Federal Government's new policy on loans for part-time students will make debt more manageable, but does not address rising tuition fees or the lack of grants available to part-time students. The changes will allow part-time students to wait up to six months after completion of their studies to begin repaying their loans and will increase the loan limit from $4,000 to $10,000.

"Although part-time students appreciate the government's attempt to make education more accessible, it misses the mark," said Katherine Giroux-Bougard, National Chairperson of the Canadian Federation of Students. "Just because the Brick doesn't make you pay for one full year, doesn't make that sofa and loveseat more affordable."

Unlike loans offered to full-time students, that only begin to accrue interest after the student leaves or finishes their program, loans for part-time students accrue interest throughout his or her degree. Part-time students often face additional financial hardships. Students with disabilities and/or dependants are more likely to study part-time.

"Part-time students are often forced to drop out because of the high cost of their loans," said Giroux-Bougard. "Rising tuition fees and inadequate access to government grants has forced many part-time students to take on heavy debt loads and has created an unfortunate need for more student loans."

Founded in 1981, the Canadian Federation of Students is Canada's largest student organisation, uniting more that one-half million students from ten provinces.