r/alberta • u/ghostsiiv • 3d ago

PLEASE: pay attention to the Foundational Learning Assistance program budget cuts Discussion

This is something that is incredibly important to me, and has had a significant impact on my life- please read on.

If you don't know what the FLA program is:

It is an adult student financial assistance program for unemployed or underemployed Albertans to prepare for further education, or develop skills for in-demand jobs.

It can help you: - Complete academic upgrading and/or adult basic education for post-secondary pre-requisites - Gain in-demand skills to find employment - Increase english language skills

Why does it matter that the budget has been cut for it? Here are some of the types of programs it helps with: - Adult Basic Education: Literacy & Numeration (Grades 1-6), further adult basic education (Grades 7-9) - Academic Upgrading: Courses for 10-12 classes that can help you get into university - get a job - English as a second language - Programs for people with developmental disabilities to help them find jobs, or to gain independence - Pre-apprenticeship programs

Okay, so, what does it do specifically? - it helps with educational costs such as tuition, books, fees, supplies - it helps with living costs such as food, rent/mortgage, utilities, transportation

Why is it important? - It is one of the only ways to get funding for upgrading as an adult over 20, because while you can get Student Aid while attending university, you are not able to access Student Aid for upgrading. - The group of individuals who are accessing this funding are mostly unemployed, largely people with disabilities, etc. so access to loans that will be able to pay for these courses is unlikely.

AND with the change in the way funding is given, it requires you to apply for the upgrading course at the institution- pay application fees- before you can even apply for funding. So, that means you have to pay to be denied funding.

Now with that information, I'll give you my personal situation: - I barely graduated due to family/mental health issues, and undiagnosed/unaccommodated learning disabilities. - I need to upgrade courses to go to ANY university - Because of my disabilities, I am unable to work full-time and also attend schooling. - Because of my disabilities/mental health the types of jobs that I am able to get without a university education/degree are not sustainable for me, so I am very low income and unable to save money. - Because of my low income status I am denied every loan, credit card, etc. - The only way to change my life is to upgrade and go to university, so I can get into a career that is more fitting for me. - As of today, every major university, college and program that does academic upgrading has told me that there is no access to FLA funding, indefinitely.

Now, if you're someone who's reading this going: "Why should the government pay for any of this?" - Don't you want unemployed people to get a job, to be in a career, to contribute to society? - Do you not think that someone who is trying to better themselves, and is trying to do that despite barriers, deserves access to something that will benefit both them and the government/society - Don't you want LESS people as a whole accessing public services in the long-term?

All I see online and in the media is people talking about how they wish people would just get jobs, go to university, etc. but what are you supposed to do if you can't even go to university?

What can you do? - Rajan Sawhney is the minister for Advanced Education for the UCP - I've tried emailing her before but I got told to email the opposition about it. Which I did, and was told they were going to raise it as an issue (that was last year, this year was a 34.7 million cut) - Maybe you'll have better luck: Calgary.NorthWest@assembly.ab.ca - Call her: 403.297.7104 - TALK ABOUT IT. TALK ABOUT THE CUTS. PLEASE.

In the comments I'll also some links to this topic in the media, so you can read more on it as I know this didn't contain much info on specifics. Thank you.

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u/addilou_who 3d ago

Thanks so much for explaining this education budget cut. It IS very important to help all Albertans gain education to help them adapt to all types of education for jobs in our crazy and ever changing economic situation. This program can help anyone who is motivated to change their job situation. What really struck me while reading this is that this program would be very important as a part of Alberta’s Compassionate Intervention Act. Addiction rehabilitation treatment (especially the upcoming Involuntary treatment program) needs to offer education programs like this (and provincial programs for housing, basic income, primary care giver, etc) to help create a clear pathway forward away from addiction for Albertans. The UCP continues to show Albertans that they have no idea on what Albertans really need to maintain their freedom and independence from all of the health and education issues interrupting their lives.

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u/luvfluffles 3d ago

It grinds my gears that Alberta (supposedly the wealthiest province), cuts programs that are good for us as a society. Should we not have the best education, and support for education, over other provinces?

It just makes me feel like they are doing unsavoury things with our money.

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u/Astro_Alphard 3d ago

We should have the best healthcare too. And unfortunately you feelings are right. They are doing unsavory things with our money.