Fair Fee Structure
Post-secondary education in Canada is subsidized by international students, however few incentives encourage their success and wellbeing. International students pay on average three to four times higher tuition fees compared to domestic students, but are excluded from most scholarships and grants.
In addition, while health insurance is free for all residents in BC, study permit holders have to pay the expensive International Students Health Fee (ISHF). This represents double-dipping since working students also contribute through the Employer Health Tax paid by their employers. Financial restraints as a result of tuition hikes, expensive and unfair ISHF and a lack of financial assistance have left many of us in dire financial straits in recent years. We must change the inefficient post-secondary education finance system in order to adequately address this issue and promote fully accessible education for migrant and domestic students.
No Fees In Universal HealthCare: Eliminate International Student Health Fee!
Another difficulty is that when the "Free MSP Celebration" went into effect in January 2020, migrant students in British Columbia were excluded from the plan, and their health insurance costs increased. The monthly MSP price of $35 was been dropped for all BC residents, but a new levy known as the International Students Health Fee costs $75 per month. This new fee has affected various international students, which is unfair and unjust for them.
Lower Tuition Fees
Historically, high foreign tuition prices have not been a cause of concern for migrant students in Canada. However, rising financial restraints as a result of tuition hikes and a lack of financial assistance have left many of us in dire financial straits in recent years. We must change the inefficient post-secondary education finance system in order to adequately address this issue and promote fully accessible education for migrant and domestic students.
