The University of Alberta Graduate Students’ Association (GSA) recently conducted a study of its members that found that 40% of respondents are considering leaving their program due to financial difficulties. Almost two-thirds of respondents reported an annual household income under $30K, which places them below Statistics Canada’s low-income threshold for a two-person household. UAlberta master’s student Zak Kaal said that those completing graduate school do not have time to pursue an additional source of income and that the cost of grocery and rent makes continuing in graduate studies risky. Kaal also noted that the stress associated with the cost of living makes it difficult to focus on studying and research.
Radio Canada
