Tuitions set to rise 4% at University of Manitoba

Students at the University of Manitoba are worried they won’t be able to continue their post secondary studies, as tuition here is set to increase by 4 per cent for the upcoming school year. 

 “I already struggled to pay for tuition, so it was not fun for me. This is my first year of university so hearing that it’s getting more expensive is kind of a downer on my motivation to come to school,” says Allie Stone, student, University of Manitoba.

Muhammad Huraira says he’s close to graduation and wants to finish without the stress of whether or not he can afford the rest of his program. 

 “I have to complete my degree now, I have to be in school because I’m just in between my degree,” Huraira says.

The University of Manitoba students’ union president Prabhnoor Singh says there has been an affordability crisis on their campus over the last year.

 “We have students that are having to pick between putting food on their tables and paying for tuition or textbooks,” Singh says.

In a statement to CityNews, the university’s president and vice-chancellor Michael Benarroch says the decline in provincial funding was to blame for the tuition increase.

“Over the past decade, provincial funding has declined in real terms, so we appreciate the province’s additional two percent to our operating grant and the recognition that an increase in tuition is necessary. We need it to support expanding programs that address labour needs and gaps, as well as to retain world-class talent,” Benarroch said.

“Our tuition remains 22.5 percent below the national average, according to Statistics Canada. We understand that this increase will be an adjustment for students, but we remain committed to supporting accessibility through scholarships and bursaries.”

Renée Cable, the province’s minister of advanced education and training, says, “We continue to be the lowest tuition and all the western Canada and that’s something that we’re really proud about in Manitoba.”

“We offer interest, free student loans increase scholarships and bursaries. It is a great postsecondary here in Manitoba. “

Singh says the government should listen to the students.

 “More than happy to host you at the University of Manitoba campus,” Singh said. “Let’s have a chat. I would like to discuss these issues that students have brought up to my table.”