Tuition Waivers Help Former Youth in Care Access Post-Secondary Education, but Gaps Remain
At least 45 former youth in care began post-secondary programs in Nova Scotia this fall through tuition waivers. However, researchers and a Senate report warn that financial aid alone is insufficient to close the wide education gap between children in government care and their peers.
At least 45 students started post-secondary programs in Nova Scotia this fall funded by tuition waivers designed for former youth in care. The enrollment marks a step forward in a province where the overall high school graduation rate exceeds 90 per cent, yet less than 50 per cent of children from care across Canada finish high school, and fewer than 10 per cent go on to complete post-secondary education.
Tuition waiver programs in Atlantic Canada were launched around 2020 to address these disparities. Jacquie Gahagan, who leads the Atlantic Tuition Waiver project and serves as associate vice-president of research at Mount Saint Vincent University, has been involved in efforts to improve educational access for this population. However, most tuition waiver programs cover school fees but not added expenses such as room, board, textbooks, and laptops.
Researchers argue that financial support alone is insufficient without additional mental health, mentoring, and housing assistance. Frequent changes in foster care placements disrupt schooling and peer relationships, while a lack of wraparound support and stability contributes to trauma and behavioral issues in schools. Transitioning out of care without completing high school often leads directly into poverty.
A national Senate report released in December, pushed for by Sen. Wanda Thomas Bernard, examined outcomes for youth aging out of care. Provincial briefing notes reinforce those concerns: a 2021 briefing note stated that in the previous 10 years, 730 youth aged out of care in Nova Scotia, and nearly 60 per cent sought income assistance at some point.
To provide further support, Nova Scotia implemented the Path program in 2024, which allows former youth in care to receive biweekly financial support up to age 24. While tuition waivers help former youth in care reach post-secondary classrooms, advocates maintain that covering living expenses and providing comprehensive mental health support remain essential to improving long-term outcomes.