Waiver program at university helps fostered children

Photo caption: Natasha Morrison, 18, grew up in and out of foster care in several small communities in Manitoba, including Reston and Gladstone, where she graduated from high school. She has six younger siblings. This year, she will be attending the University of Winnipeg through a new innovative program.

Through its Tuition Waiver program, the University of Winnipeg has increased the number of former foster care children who will be attending classes this year to 34. They will be earning a degree free of charge. The program kicked off last year, accepting 22 students; this year 12 more have enrolled. UWinnipeg will waive tuition, and the province’s child welfare authorities will cover living expenses for youth on extensions of care, including housing, textbooks and meal plans, up until age 21. There are more than 9,500 children and youth in care in Manitoba. The majority are First Nations and Métis, and it is estimated that in the past, less than five per cent pursued a post-secondary education. UWinnipeg supports the program through active fundraising and private donations to the Opportunity Fund.