Brock University will become a reachable option for thousands more Niagara families next fall, when a new program covers undergraduate tuition costs for students from middle- or low-income homes.

The provincial government’s Ontario Grant Program, which takes effect in September 2017, is designed to pay most or all tuition costs for students from households earning less than $50,000 a year.

Last week, the government posted an online calculator where students can see if they qualify for free tuition or grants. For students about to graduate from high school, Jan. 11, 2017 is the application deadline to attend Brock next fall.

About 55,000 households in Niagara have an annual income of less than $50,000, according to Statistics Canada figures from 2011. Niagara, which is rebuilding its economy after losing thousands of industrial and manufacturing jobs over the past 15 years, has a median family income ($71,830) significantly lower than the Canadian average ($78,870), based on StatsCan figures from 2014.

Brock officials say the new program means university is now a serious choice for all qualified students, regardless of income, but especially for those who can attend university while continuing to live at home.

“This is a tremendous opportunity to help more young people achieve a better future for themselves and their families,” said Tom Traves, Brock’s Interim President and Vice-Chancellor.

“Our bright young people are the ones who will build Niagara and build Canada. They should not be denied access to a good education because of financial disadvantages beyond their control, and now those barriers are being removed.”

Traves said having a well-educated, innovative workforce is crucial for Niagara, and added, “this is a huge breakthrough for Niagara students that can really change our region’s future.”

For more on Brock’s undergraduate programs, and how to apply, go to discover.brocku.ca

Learn more about the Ontario Grant Program at www.ontario.ca/page/new-ontario-student-grant