Updated living allowance will mean more money for some N.S. post-secondary students

Some Nova Scotia university and college students will see an increase in how much funding they receive from the province this fall. 

The Department of Advanced Education is changing how it calculates the living allowance through the Nova Scotia Student Assistance Program.

Advanced Education Minister Brian Wong said the province will now calculate the amount using rental market data from the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation in addition to the consumer price index, which the allowance was previously based on. 

The formula change is expected to cost $2.9 million, according to the province.  

Wong said the enhancement is something Students Nova Scotia, which represents 20,000 students at four universities, asked for. 

"The enhanced living allowances for Nova Scotian students is a positive step in ensuring that students have access to financial support that accurately reflects the costs of housing during their studies," Georgia Saleski, executive director for Students Nova Scotia, said in a statement.

'Urgent need' for housing

Saleski said the organization looks forward to continuing to work with the province to reduce barriers to securing affordable housing. 

Mariam Knakriah, president of the Dalhousie Student Union, said there is an "urgent need" for housing solutions that align with student budgets. 

"Students frequently tell us about the tough choices they have to make, like foregoing groceries to pay rent," she said in a statement.   

Knakriah said students are still awaiting a housing strategy from the province. 

Wong said there is ongoing work to increase student housing on Nova Scotia Community College campuses and through bilateral agreements with universities. 

"We understand that we're in a housing crisis and a cost-of-living crisis and we're going to continue to invest," he said.

Earlier this year, the government provided a one-time $1,350 grant to Nova Scotians going to a university or college in the province, and who receive or qualify for student financial assistance.

Applications for student assistance are open for the 2024-25 academic year.