Canada Sends a Message to the U.S: Free College Tuition for Low-Income Students

What if there was nothing standing between you and a great college education?

For lower-income Canadian students, free college tuition is now a reality. The Canadian government recently introduced the Ontario Student Grant into its 2016-2017 budget, which completely covers college tuition for students from families with incomes of $50,000 or less.

“Before, we were really penalizing low-income and marginalized students, forcing them to take on loans and to pay interest and effectively paying more for their education than students who could afford it up front,” said Ontario spokesman Rajean Hoilett. Now low-income students will be able to benefit from their education instead of being burdened by it.

This sends a message that hits home for many Americans, who are deep in $1.3 trillion of student debt. It’s a major issue that has left ambitious students in pursuit of a higher education overwhelmed and restricted both in their choice about which college to attend and which career path to choose.  The cost of college tuition and student debt is a major issue discussed by presidential candidates during the 2016 campaign, especially proposals like Hillary Clinton’s College Compact and Bernie Sanders’ College for All Act.

Let’s hope the current leaders and future leaders of our country have heard the message loud and clear: It’s time for some serious change in America’s education policy. Education should be a right, not a privilege — and the federal government shouldn’t profit from young, forward-thinking students trying to get their degree.

But hey, if they won’t listen, can we move to Canada??