Tuition increases will cause more barriers and struggles for post-secondary education.

TUITION INCREASES WILL CAUSE MORE BARRIERS AND STRUGGLES FOR POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION.

WINNIPEG [Treaty 1 Territory] May 10, 2021 – On May 4, 2021, The University of Winnipeg announced the tuition would increase by 3.75 per cent for the 2021-2022 academic year. This increase will be the fourth consecutive year The University of Winnipeg has increased the tuition.

“This tuition increase comes at a time when many students are already struggling financially due to the pandemic and will adversely affect the most vulnerable students like low income and international students,” says Kiratveer Singh Hayer, President of the UWSA. “I staunchly oppose increases in tuition and will work hard over my term to ensure that education stays as affordable and accessible as possible.”

The tuition increase comes after a 1.8 per cent reduction to The University of Winnipeg’s operating budget; since 2017-2018, The University of Winnipeg has had its operating grant cut 3.6 per cent.

“Increasing tuition will put a barrier to accessing post-secondary education for many students, especially students with disabilities, Indigenous students, and international students who pay high tuition fees,” says the UWSA Vice-President Student Affairs, Reza Saker Hossain.

According to The University of Winnipeg, they will be providing an additional $100,000 to support international students facing financial challenges.

Right now, the UWSA asks the administration to consider consulting with students about future budgets. Doing so will create a more accessible institution and become transparent with why the increase happens.

About UWSA

Established in 1972, the University of Winnipeg Students’ Association (UWSA) democratically unites the students of the University of Winnipeg in order to advance student interests. As well as promoting communication within the University, the UWSA advocates on behalf of students to administrative bodies.

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For further information, contact:

Alex Nguyen
Marketing & Public Relations Manager
The University of Winnipeg Students’ Association
0R30 – 515 Portage Avenue
Winnipeg MB R3B 2E9
(204) 962-7023
a.nguyen@theuwsa.ca