Students at the College of New Caledonia are voicing deep frustration and concern following the CNC Board of Governors’ approval of tuition increases for the 2025/26 academic year — and are calling on the College to work with them to push for increased government funding rather than shifting more financial burden onto learners.
At its September 2024 meeting, the board approved the following:
- A two per cent increase to domestic tuition and mandatory fees starting August 1, 2025;
- A four per cent increase to international tuition and fees, with additional 4% increases pre-approved for 2026 and 2027.
The CNCSU is highlighting how these increases — particularly the multi-year, pre-approved hikes for international students — are symptoms of a deeper systemic issue: chronic underfunding of northern post-secondary institutions by the provincial government.
“The decisions made without proper student consultation — especially during a time of crisis — are deeply disappointing,” said Holden Deley, chairperson of the CNCSU. “It shows a disconnect between the decisions being made and the realities students are facing.”
To ensure that student voices are heard and proactive steps are taken, the CNCSU has formally reached out to the CNC Board of Governors topresent student concerns directly and open a dialogue on how decisions like this impact access, affordability, and retention.
The Students’ Union is calling on CNC to:
- Reconsider the automatic future tuition increases, particularly for international students, and instead commit to annual reviews that include student consultation;
- Collaborate with CNCSU to advocate to the Ministry of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills for increased and sustainable funding;
- Prioritize solutions that keep education affordable, especially for marginalized and northern learners who already face structural barriers to access.
“This can’t be solved by overcharging students or cutting courses,” Deley said. “We’re quickly reaching a point where there’s nothing left to cut.”