I Received this letter from the University of Ottawa with regards to “Project Hero.” Project Hero will wave tuition fees and 1st year dorm costs for children whose parents were killed while serving for the Canadian Military. I’m impressed with the initiative. Here is the letter:
Despite an overcast sky, summer is here and that means summer vacation. I will take a break and resume my snap-shot emails in mid-August. However, I wanted to take this opportunity to wish you a wonderful summer. Thank you to all for your excellent work and for your tireless efforts that contribute each day to the success of our university.
Some of you may have read a story in the newspaper this morning about the University of Ottawa being the very first university to participate in Project Hero. The idea behind this initiative, spearheaded by alumnus Kevin Reed, is for Canadian universities to offer free tuition for children of Canadian military parents killed in action. The University will also waive on-campus residence fees for the first year of undergraduate studies. I’m proud to say that everyone at the University of Ottawa embraced the idea with enthusiasm. The tuition waiver will begin in September 2009.
It’s the least we can do to ease some of the worries that may plague those who put their lives at risk for our country every day. For more information, I invite you to read the news release.
Have a great summer and happy Canada Day!
Allan Rock
President and Vice-Chancellor
Its a bit silly. all military personnel’s children who are killed on the job get tuition allowances – why the need for a separate initiative ?
hmm… I didn’t know there was already an initiative like that… interesting…
From the Veterans Affairs Canada website:
Help for Children: We have a program to help children carry on with their education past high school if they have a CF parent who dies as a result of military service; or was pensioned at a medium or high level at the time of his or her death.
Under the program, full-time students can qualify for grants of about $6,700 a year to help pay for their education and living expenses. This amount may change over time to allow for increases in the cost of living.
To qualify for the program, students must be under the age of 30 and attend a post-secondary school in Canada. Former students who went to school after 1995 can also apply to have some of their education costs reimbursed.