The Newfoundland and Labrador budget tabled April 24 provided a continuing freeze for the eighth year on post-secondary tuition fees with no interest charged on provincial student loans.
Additionally, students received an increased “study period exemption,” allowing them to earn $100 a week — double the previous amount — without affecting their loan or grant entitlement.
Other post-secondary budget commitments include increased base funding of $2 million for the Marine Institute at Memorial University and $1.7 million for the university’s faculty of engineering to expand enrolment capacity and international recruitment.
Also announced were investments of $52 million for construction and renovation of university residences in St. John’s and Corner Brook, $4.7 million for science lab improvements and $10 million for general maintenance. College of the North Atlantic will see $2.5 million for shop modernization.
New funding of $4.1 million will enhance “apprenticeship opporÂtunities and support women and other under-represented groups in skilled trades.”