VANCOUVER--Students are very encouraged by BCNDP Leader Adrian Dix's pledge to establish a BC student grants program. With a proposed $100-million budget, it would be the largest student grants program in BC's history.

"Restoring a grants program should be the top priority for student assistance in BC," said Zach Crispin, Chairperson of the Canadian Federation of Students-British Columbia. "Student debt is at an all time high and this program would be a very positive step in the right direction for students, their families, and the BC economy."

The average student debt in BC for a four year program is $27,000. Much of this debt can be attributed to the fact that only 12% of BC's student aid is non-repayable. This puts BC 66% below the national average of non-repayable student financial assistance.

"At a time when three out of four new jobs will require some post-secondary education, we know it will play a key role in growing our economy. Students are calling on the BC government to take action to make affordable education a priority," said Crispin.

Last week, the CFS-BC and the Federation of Post-Secondary Educators of BC released the results of an opinion poll that showed that British Columbians are concerned about the direction of the current government when it comes to increasing 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

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.