MB streamlines student aid and bursary program with an eye to access

The Government of Manitoba has announced that it is streamlining the application process for the Manitoba Student Aid and Manitoba Bursary programs to help more low-income and Indigenous students access funding. “We’re introducing a simplified user-friendly service model that is more predictable so students can save and budget accordingly,” said MB Education and Training Minister Wishart. The province plans to distribute up to $8.6M in additional loans for the 2018-19 program year. The province also plans to introduce a fixed student contribution rate for student loans and grants, a three-year Skills Boost pilot program, and an exclusion of First Nations band funding as part of the student financial assessment in order to make more Indigenous students eligible for grants. MB