By HEIDI ULRICHSEN for Northern Ontario Business
A pilot project aimed at attracting students from southern Ontario to the six Northern Ontario colleges has brought 185 students here so far.
Study North began in October 2014 with funding from Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation and the involved colleges — Cambrian College, Collège Boréal, Confederation College, Sault College, Northern College and Canadore College.
Its goal was to attract 50 students for each of the three years of the pilot project — an aim it's already achieved. Cambrian College has 34 students enrolled at the school thanks to Study North.
We anticipate this program will continue to support our growth in the years to come,” said Renée Scott, the college’s director of student success and recruitment, replied in an email to Sudbury.com. “The program's travel and tuition incentives are encouraging many more prospective students from outside of Northern Ontario, including the Greater Toronto Area, to learn about what Cambrian has to offer.”
Cambrian held its fall open house Nov. 5, and had 26 per cent more prospective students visit this year as opposed to last year's event.
Sudbury's Collège Boréal also said 17 students have been recruited to the college thanks to Study North.
Each student who's been recruited brings with them a significant economic impact, said a press release from Study North.
Economic Modelling Specialists International, an economic data firm specializing in education, states that the average living expenses of students who locate in Northern Ontario is about $15,755 per student, per year.
“Based on the 180-plus enrolments to date, SNI has the potential to generate approximately $2.8 million in economic activity for Northern Ontario per academic year, and over $8.5 million over three years, well over doubling the project investment to date,” said Canadore’s Shawn Chorney, vice-president enrolment management, indigenous and student services, in a news release.
Study North lead liaison officer Katherine Villeneuve said she and her colleagues recruit students at post-secondary fairs at southern high schools.
They're offered a $500 bursary for travel expenses to visit northern colleges they're interested in, and if they end up attending school there, they receive a $1,000 bursary. “We're really happy with the results overall,” Villeneuve said, adding she hopes the program is renewed.
“The momentum is continuing. We're right in the middle of recruitment season right now, and we plan to keep pushing until the end of the program. Hopefully we can get some more numbers this year.”
