March 2006
Vol. 7, no. 3

As rapid technological change drives the growth of a knowledge-based economy and creates the need for new job-related skills, an aging population means that fewer new workers are available to meet these needs. As a result, adults are re-entering the educational system in increasing numbers—even though they are likely to face more challenges than regular students, in terms of balancing work, education, and family responsibilities. Going back to school is an investment that is expected to yield returns, but who actually benefits from adult schooling and by how much?

Every year the Canada Student Loans Program (CSLP) provides approximately $1.5 billion in loans and $80 million in grants to students with a demonstrated financial need. Nevertheless, a gap in postsecondary participation remains between children from upper- and lower-income backgrounds. While it is difficult to estimate the extent to which the CSLP has made it possible for low-income students to obtain a postsecondary education, the study looks at how well loans are targeted to low-income youth, the extent to which the loan amount reflects financial need, and the impact of parental income.

New publication: The Canadian Labour Market at a Glance

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