January 20, 2010
Aboriginal students at McMaster University and Mohawk College will benefit from a new student bursary and enhanced programs and services.
The Ontario government has created a bursary program to help Aboriginal students with financial need attend college, university or Aboriginal postsecondary institutions. The government is also investing in a range of Aboriginal student support services at Mohawk College and McMaster University and at postsecondary institutions across the province.
The government’s efforts are aimed at ensuring more Aboriginal students pursue and succeed at postsecondary education.
QUOTES
“This investment will help provide greater access to post-secondary education for Aboriginal students,” said Sophia Aggelonitis, MPP for Hamilton Mountain. “Through this funding, McMaster University and Mohawk College will continue to provide exceptional opportunities to their students.”
“This funding will help to close the education gap that exists between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal students and provide greater success and opportunities for graduates of Mohawk College and McMaster University.” Said Ted McMeekin MPP Ancaster Dundas Flamborough Westdale
“Mohawk welcomes Ontario’s continued support and investment in our Aboriginal learners,” said President Rob MacIsaac. “We will be able to increase enrolment for Aboriginal students, enhance our partnerships with Six Nations Polytechnic and the Ogwehoweh Skills and Trades Training Centre, and augment our recruitment, academic and student services for individual First Nations and Metis students. Mohawk is committed to increasing access to postsecondary education and ensuring our Aboriginal students graduate to success.”
“This is an important initiative,” says Peter George, President of McMaster University. “Nearly half of all native Canadians are under the age of 25, and post-secondary education is both vital and necessary to enable them to fully participate socially and economically in this country’s opportunities. It will help us to build on past and current efforts to attract more students from Six Nations.”
QUICK FACTS
§ The government is investing $398,260 to support Aboriginal learners at McMaster University and $488,484 at Mohawk College
§ The government is investing a total of $26.4 million in Aboriginal postsecondary education in 2009-10.
§ About 11,000 Aboriginal students were enrolled in Ontario postsecondary institutions last year.
LEARN MORE
Explore what you can do after high school.
Find out more about Ontario’s colleges and universities.
-30-
For further information contact:
Sophia Aggelonitis, MPP 905-388-9734
Ted McMeekin, MPP 905-690-6552
