Education

University of King's College Announces Tuition Freeze

The move comes after student protests and public demand, ensuring affordability remains a top priority for incoming undergraduates.

Published: May 17, 2025 at 07:40

By: By Troy Ritter, Great White Press

In a significant move welcomed by students and parents alike, the University of King’s College in Halifax has announced a freeze on tuition fees for the 2025–2026 academic year. The decision follows a series of student protests and consultations held over the past year regarding the rising cost of post-secondary education.

University President Dr. Michelle LaPlante confirmed the freeze in a statement this morning, emphasizing the institution’s commitment to maintaining access and affordability for students across Nova Scotia and beyond. “We believe education should be a bridge to opportunity, not a source of financial hardship,” she said.

The freeze applies to all undergraduate and graduate programs, including those in journalism, the humanities, and interdisciplinary studies. It marks the first time in over a decade that the university has opted not to raise tuition rates in accordance with inflation or administrative costs.

Student leaders celebrated the decision as a hard-fought win. “We organized sit-ins, drafted petitions, and lobbied the board of governors tirelessly,” said Student Union President Marley S. “This outcome shows that student voices matter.”

Faculty and staff expressed cautious optimism, noting the freeze will require careful financial planning to avoid cuts to academic programming or services. The administration is exploring alternative funding sources, including alumni donations and government partnerships, to maintain budgetary balance.

Meanwhile, the provincial government has acknowledged the announcement positively but has not indicated whether similar policies will be encouraged at other universities. The tuition freeze takes effect immediately and will be reflected in the upcoming enrollment cycle.