WINNIPEG, MB – The University of Winnipeg congratulates Lakehead University in Thunder Bay, Ontario, on their recently announced Achievement Program. As with UWinnipeg’s groundbreaking Opportunity Fund, Lakehead’s Achievement Program will open doors for students throughout Northwestern Ontario who face major barriers to a university education.
“Its encouraging that Lakehead University is working to make a university education possible for low-income students,” expressed Dr. Lloyd Axworthy, UWinnipeg President and Vice-Chancellor. “Since 2007, UWinnipeg’s Opportunity Fund has provided more than 850 fast-track bursaries to students, 100 to whom have already graduated. There is also an Opportunity Fund Tuition Credit Program that begins as early as grade four where students can earn creditstowards their tuition.”
The University continues to share its story and welcome universities from across Canada to UWinnipeg to learn about the Opportunity Fund, Collegiate Model School, Wii Chiiwaakanank Learning Centre, Innovative Learning Centre’s Eco-U Summer Camp and Eco-Kids on Campus programs, Global Welcome Centre, Aboriginal Student Services Centre, and other Community Learning initiatives that are breaking down the barriers to post-secondary education.
In addition to the Opportunity Fund The University of Winnipeg launched the Youth In Care Tuition Waiver Program in March 2012. This is the first program of its kind in Canada and UWinnipeg expects to support up to 20 students each year by waiving their tuition costs beginning September 2012. The Province of Manitoba will cover all additional costs for youth extended in care including housing, textbooks and meal plans, up until age twenty-one and while they are attending UWinnipeg. There are more than 9,500 children and youth in care in Manitoba and it is estimated that fewer than 5% are ever able to pursue a post-secondary education due to financial barriers.
UWinnipeg’s Opportunity Fund was created in 2007 to bridge the graduation gap to ensure that everyone, regardless of socio-economic status, has access to higher education. Supported by generous private and government donations, UWinnipeg’s Opportunity Fund has a goal of building a $10-million endowment fund.
