Government made the decision this week to provide UPEI with funding to extend the tuition reduction to students in graduate programs as well as undergraduate programs. “By reducing tuition fees we are helping students and families with the cost of education, including those graduate students who spend even more of their time and money on higher learning. We hope that the lower tuition fees will also encourage more students to enter graduate programs at UPEI,” said Minister Greenan.

The UPEI Board of Governors has already approved a tuition decrease of 10 per cent for all undergraduate students. This new government support will allow the Board to lower tuition costs for Masters and Ph.D. programs as well. UPEI President Wade MacLauchlan said he is pleased that the tuition reduction will now apply to graduate students who are key to the growth of UPEI and an innovative economy. “UPEI is delighted that funding is being extended to enable a 10 per cent reduction in graduate student fees,” said President MacLauchlan. “Supporting our graduate students and programs is key to a strong knowledge-based future for PEI.”

He added that graduate students will also benefit from an additional $50,000 in scholarship funding approved by the Board of Governors in UPEI's 2007-08 budget.