Government of Canada and Provincial and Territorial Governments Work Together to Simplify Student Loans
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Saint John, NB, May 21, 2008 -- The Honourable Monte Solberg, Minister of Human Resources and Social Development, and the Honourable Kelly Lamrock, Chair of the Council of Ministers of Education, Canada and Minister of Education for New Brunswick, today announced a federal-provincial/territorial partnership to provide students with simple, easy-to-manage access to financial assistance.
Currently, many of the federal, provincial and territorial student aid processes are cumbersome, time-consuming and paper-based. Working in partnership, the Government of Canada and the provinces and territories will implement a new Service Delivery Vision that will modernize and simplify the loans process, and make it easier for families and students to navigate the many loan programs presently available.
"Budget 2008 puts the needs of students first, by investing $31 million over the next four years to expand online services and improve communication to students," said Minister Solberg. "Families and students need straightforward solutions that they can count on from the time they start planning for post-secondary education to the time it is completed."
Over the next four years, the plan will be to expand electronic services so that students can self manage their loans online. Other benefits for students will also include streamlined services, reduced paper processes and better repayment services.
"Modernizing and simplifying the student financial assistance is a significant move, made possible through a strong partnership between federal, provincial and territorial governments," said Minister Lamrock. "These system enhancements will make a difference. The initiatives are already working successfully in a number of Canadian jurisdictions, and we are committed to building on these successes in order to ensure that all students benefit from an improved financial assistance system."
Student financial assistance in Canada is delivered through partnerships between the Government of Canada and 10 participating provinces and one territory.
Quebec, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut operate independent student financial assistance programs and receive payments in lieu of direct participation.
Founded in 1967, CMEC is the collective voice of Canada's ministers of education. It provides leadership in education at the pan-Canadian and international levels. For more information, visit us at www.cmec.ca.
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Tamara Davis
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