Canadian Millennium Scholarship Foundation, No More

Federal Government Vito’s Foundation

Morgan Modjeski

When Andrew Parkin, Associate Executive Director of the Canadian Millennium Scholarship Foundation said that he had “No idea” about the fate of the Scholarship, he was not lying.

As the Federal Government released the Federal Budget on the 26th of February, it was announced in the Budget presentation Speech that Canada’s first National Grants Program would replace the Millennium Scholarship.

Minister of Finance, Jim Flaherty explained that the Government has invested in a “Consolidated Post Secondary Canada Student Grant Program.” He went on to say, “This will be a single focus program that fully respects provincial jurisdiction.”

The new Government Grants program will distribute scholarships to 100 000 more students from low to middle income families than the current program said Flaherty.

“It will also provide more effective support to more students for more years of study

The Finance Minister, explained that the Federal Government, “Has long helped Canadian Students finance their education, Today this historic role has taken on even greater importance. We must ensure the next generation of Canadians has the opportunity to excel in this increasingly competitive world.”

The Government will provide 350 million for the Grant program in 2009 when the Program takes the place of the Canadian Millennium Scholarship. This 350 Million will increase to 430 million dollars by 2015.

Zach Churchill, Canadian Alliance of Student Association National Director and a supporter of Canadian Millennium Scholarship said this about the end of the foundation. “Our biggest concern now, is that we are able to work with the federal government, develop this new program make sure its as efficient as the Millennium Scholarship Foundation was and make sure that it is as comprehensive in its approach to student financial aid and tackling student debt..”

Churchill also said, “We have had a commitment from the federal government that student association will be involved in the process.”

Flaherty made it very clear that the Minister of Human resources and social development “Will be consulting with students—provinces and territories to finalize the specifics of the program.”