With the cost of tuition, textbooks, transportation and everyday expenses adding up, affordability is an ongoing concern for students at Fanshawe College.
For some students, balancing the cost of education with other living expenses can make attending college more difficult. Especially today, September 21 being the 10 day which means that students must pay their balance of fees for fall term today.
Micheal Demelo, a Fanshawe student in the human service foundation, said “It makes it a lot harder to get job interviews and jobs because you go into the interview and tell her your availability, and they’re like well how are you going to manage that with a full-time job? I’m going to have to. and then they just don’t hire you.”
Micheal Demelo, human service foundation, year 1
The cost of attending college goes beyond tuition. Students may also have to budget for textbooks, course materials, food, and other expenses.
Luckily, there are discounts available to help students afford college. Fanshawe Student Union President, Shade Dias, said “Currently we have – after 7 at The Nest we have discounts for students who have late-night classes, as well as on Fridays we have discounts for students which we launch just at the start of term. 10 per cent discounts for students every Friday.. and then Outback Shack we have a thing called 12 minutes in, 12 minutes out for students. All of this in place helps students afford meals on campus… I launched the breakfast program for students. This will help your affordability as well.”
Shade Dias, FSU president
The Nest is Fanshawe Colleges convenient store located at (L1001). Fanshawe Student Union, (FSU) promotes these discounts through their social media and website.
Jason Yabes, a Fanshawe student in the business marketing program, says his advice for students is “Start budgeting. If you can see your expenses, you know what’s coming in, coming out, you’re able to see the future kind of, and budget that way.”
The financial assistance resources that are available at Fanshawe College are OSAP, Work Study Bursury, scholarships and awards, entrance bursaries, first generation bursary, and the financial aid department located in room (E2020).
Jason Yabes, business marketing, year 2
Starting in fall 2026, the maximum share of provincial OSAP funding available as non-repayable grants has been reduced from 85 per cent to 25 per cent. The remaining funding is provided as loans, which students must repay 6 months after you finish or leave your studies. The change means students who previously relied more heavily on grants may now have ti take on more repayable financial aid to help cover the cost of college.
As students continue to balance education with the cost of everyday life, affordability remains an important issue on campus.
