Thank you.
Good morning to the committee and Mr. Chair.
My name is Margie Schoepp. I'm representing CASFAA, the Canadian Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators.
CASFAA represents many personnel across Canadian post-secondary institutions who are dedicated to helping Canadian students achieve financial wellness. To build Canada's economic growth and ensure our competitiveness, we have three recommendations to help ensure student success. First, allow students adequate time to establish stability before beginning the regime of student loan repayment by reinstating the Canada student loan interest subsidy for the six months following the completion of studies.
Second, empower post-secondary students who acquire Canada student loans by requiring mandatory entrance and exit loan counselling, and third, reduce the educational gaps between indigenous and non-indigenous Canadians by providing a Canada student grant program for indigenous students.
CASFAA believes that these measures will help develop financial literacy in our students and position them to immediately engage our economy when they have completed school.
Thank you for your time and consideration today.