Newfoundland Labrador Extends Tuition Freeze For College and University

Tuition prices have been frozen in Newfoundland since the spring of 2005.

All signs point to one more year before tuition prices thaw in Newfoundland and Labrador.

The St. John’s based newspaper The Telegram recently reported that college and university students in Newfoundland and Labrador should have one more year to enjoy the province-wide freeze on tuition.

“Any further decisions (for future years) will be policy decisions for many of the political parties, certainly, including our party,” said Minister of Education Joan Burke.

“That would be announced as we roll out our blue book and our plans, so it wouldn’t be something I can speak to personally here today.”

The additional year of locked tuition prices will cost an estimated $6.4 million, and was announced as part of Budget 2011.

Overall, frozen tuition has cost the government 138.8 million over the past 7 years.

Tuition prices have been frozen in the province since the spring of 2005. The province also did away with charging interest on student loans in 2009. Paying 0%, the average Memorial University student, borrowing at the maximum, would save an estimated $1,800 over the life of their loan.

Statistics Canada reported that in 2009/2010, tuition fees rose in most provinces, except for in Newfoundland and Labrador and New Brunswick, for a third year in a row. Overall, students in New Brunswick pay an average of $2,624 in university tuition fees.