Student grant funding falls short, says U of A student union [Video]

Edmonton university students say this year’s provincial budget doesn’t do enough to address the affordability crisis they are facing.

Chris Beasley of the University of Alberta Students’ Union said the $69 million in available student grants is not enough to help the student population.

“Yesterday’s budget was a disappointment for all of the students that were experiencing a profound affordability crisis and were hoping for affordability relief,” Beasley said.

At the University of Alberta, the Campus Food Bank recently saw the busiest month in its 30-year history.

“January 2024 is our ultimate record of how many folks we’ve served,” said Campus Food Bank director Erin O’Neil. “Just five years ago, we were serving a hundred families per month, and in January, we served over a thousand families.”

O’Neil said students are under more pressure than ever before, and she’s also disappointed the 2024 budget didn’t include more financial relief measures …