By Megan Lambert (The Cascade) – Email
Print Edition: January 21, 2015
UFV will charge tuition for Adult Basic Education (ABE) and English as a Second Language (ESL) courses in Fall 2015.
In 2008, the Ministry of Advanced Education created the Adult Basic Education policy, where high-school equivalent courses at post-secondary institutions would remain tuition-free for adults and ESL students wanting to upgrade their skills.
But in December 2014, the provincial government lifted the policy that prohibited post-secondary institutions from charging tuition for high-school level courses. Pre-college math, science, and English cost roughly $25.
Universities across BC are now able to charge post-secondary level tuition for students going back for upgrading or who need basic English language training; however, courses will remain tuition-free for adults who do not have their dogwood diploma.
Nikhil Rawat is a UFV student upgrading his high-school level chemistry to continue with his studies in engineering.
“For my case right now, financing is a little bit tight right now because my wife’s on maternity leave [and] I’m a full-time student,” he says. “So, I’m reliant on student loans or whatever savings I have.”
Dean of faculty access and continuing education Sue Brigden notes that UFV has been budgeting for reduced funding from the provincial government. “We expect the reduction to our operating grant to be approximately $320,000, but this has yet to be confirmed,” she writes in an email.
Brigden says the tuition collected from students will be treated in the same way as all tuition revenue at UFV.
“A portion goes to the program area offering the course, and a portion goes to the service and administrative areas of the university,” she says.
The government is offering grants for financial assistance for low-income students, including a new non-repayable grant called the Adult Upgrading Grant (AUG), available to upgrading and ESL students. As with student loans, applicants disclose their household income, whether or not they live with their parents, and if they receive student loans.
Even with cheaper courses and student loans, Rawat notes it’s difficult enough to manage with a full course load on a one-person income. “Everything was straight on savings that I put aside from my house or my car to be put towards [university courses],” he says. “If I were in that situation again having to pay for a $600 course — that’s a lot of money to pay.” He then goes on to say, “adding a kid in the middle of that, that’s quite a lot of money.”
In the case of a potential grant, the post-secondary institution the applicants are attending determines the amount given to students — not the government. Depending on the circumstance, the grant can amount to the entire cost or just a portion of the tuition. The AUG could also potentially conflict with students collecting income assistance.
Students upgrading with high school diplomas can usually apply for entry-level jobs to assist them in paying their tuition. In a 2013 developmental student outcome survey, 55 per cent of ABE students worked part-time to help finance their education.
However, new immigrants may not have the same opportunities. Many workplaces require basic English language skills — without training, many ESL students will have to pay tuition while relying on other sources of income.
The report also states 21 per cent of ESL students had their education interrupted for financial reasons. Parents undergoing English language training were more likely to rely on personal savings, tax credits, or income assistance, and younger students relied on family and friends.
In the 2012–13 academic year, roughly 1,750 UFV students took pre-college and ESL courses. However, in light of the tuition increase Brigden says, “in my opinion, enrollment will likely soften once we start charging for courses.”
The amount of tuition for each course is yet to be determined. The Fall 2015 academic table will be available at the beginning of the summer.
