For immediate release: Thursday, July 29, 2004

EDMONTON — A total of 38 university, college and technical institution students will get a $500 jump on their post-secondary education this fall thanks to the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees’ bursary program.

The Education Sub-Committee of AUPE’s Members Benefits Committee approved the awarding of education bursaries totalling $19,000 for students attending post-secondary institutions in 2004-05 on July 22 and 23.
Garnett Robinson, AUPE Vice-President and Members Benefits Committee Chair, said the 131 applications received this year were among the most ever submitted to the three-member sub-committee.

“We were very impressed with the quantity of applications submitted, not to mention the time applicants took to write a short essay describing their need for financial support,” said Robinson. “There were some great stories about teens doing wonderful work in their respective communities.

Lynn Bruce and Kim Bruce at the Tofield Area Council barbecue, July 28.

“Reviewing this number of applications was an arduous task, and committee members deserve a lot of credit for the terrific job they did,” he said.

Upon completion of the evaluation process, based predominately on need as opposed to academic performance, the committee approved 38 successful applicants. Each applicant will receive a letter of congratulations, notifying them that a $500 cheque will be sent to the post-secondary institution the applicant is enrolled in for the forthcoming school year.

An AUPE member for close to 21 years, Local 043/009 member Lynn Bruce was pleased that the committee selected both her son and daughter for the 2004-05 $500 education bursary.

“I just spoke to Emily this morning and told her of the news,” said the Tofield resident, whose daughter is spending the summer working at a Sea Cadet camp in Saskatchewan. “She was quite pleased about it.”

Emily is in her second year of pursuing a BA in Languages at Augustana University in Camrose. Kim Bruce will join his sister this fall at Augustana, where he will pursue a degree in History.

“The support the union has given us is terrific,” said Lynn Bruce adding, “Every little bit helps.”

The committee received applications from members, their spouses, children and other dependents from across Alberta.

In some cases, said Robinson, applicants from rural areas demonstrated an increased need for financial assistance.

Kim Bruce

“We had applications from single parents who are sending two and three children to university, people with disabilities, and members from rural Alberta, who have one or two children attending university away from home,” he said.

“Rural families are often strapped with the additional costs of providing accommodation in the city for their children attending a post-secondary institution,” said Robinson.

“It’s very rewarding knowing that our union was able to help members and their families achieve their academic goals,” he added.

AUPE has awarded more than $82,000 in education bursaries since the program began.

For more information, contact:
Dan MacLennan, President, AUPE, 780-930-3301 or 780-232-8392 (cellular phone)
Garnett Robinson, Vice-President, AUPE, 780-930-3383 or 780-404-9167 (cellular phone)
David Climenhaga, Communications Director, AUPE, 780-930-3311 or 780—717-2943 (cellular phone)