Rise Up for Affordable Education
Education is a right, not a privilege. For too long, post-secondary students in BC have shouldered the burden of rising tuition fees. The Rise Up Campaign, led by the British Columbia Federation of Students (BCFS) in partnership with other students’ unions, is calling for immediate action to address these financial challenges to make education accessible and equitable for all students.
The Problem: A Broken Funding Model
For over two decades, the BC government’s share of funding for public post-secondary institutions has been gradually declining. Just 15 years ago, government grants accounted for 66% of the operating fund at Okanagan College. Today, that number has dropped to 51%.
To compensate for these shortfalls, institutions, including Okanagan College, have placed the funding gap burden on students by raising tuition fees. Since 2016, average domestic undergraduate tuition fees have increased by 32%. International students face an even starker reality. At Okanagan College, international students in the majority of Arts, Business, and Science programs pay $16,960 annually, more than 3.5 times the amount domestic students pay. Unlike domestic tuition, which is capped at a 2% annual increase under Okanagan College’s Tuition Limit Policy, developed in accordance with BC government legislation, international tuition is not regulated. Recently, it was announced that Okanagan College will consistently increase international tuition by 4.8% annually for continuing students, and has announced a 40% increase for new incoming international students starting in Fall 2026. In addition to the new post-graduation work permit (PGWP) requirement for international students, which restricts college graduates’ eligibility strictly to fields with long-term labour shortages, these burdens threaten to further decrease enrolment, reduce program and course options, and downgrade student service, affecting education quality of both domestic and international students.
The Impact: Financial Pressure on Students
Students have already faced increasing costs for housing, groceries, and other essentials. We’re seeing more and more students rushing from late-night shifts to early morning classes, surviving on nothing but caffeine and determination, and skipping out on textbooks. In 2025, student lives shouldn’t be this complicated. In BC, 38% of college graduates left school in debt, owing an average of $16,900. Limited off-campus working hours (24 hours per week) and the requirement to maintain full-time status make international students especially vulnerable to financial instability. Part-time jobs were supposed to help with extras, but now they’ve become the only way to scrape together enough for tuition, rent, and a meal or two. These financial pressures force many students into precarious work situations, delay major life milestones, and ultimately limit their ability to contribute fully to society and our economy.
The Solution: Investing in Education, Investing in the Future
The Rise Up Campaign is advocating for bold, meaningful changes that will transform BC’s post-secondary education system. We are calling on the provincial government to:
Freeze and progressively reduce tuition fees to alleviate financial burdens for all students.
Invest $500 million annually in operational funding for public post-secondary institutions, stabilizing budgets and reducing reliance on tuition fees.
Cap international student tuition fee increases at 2% annually to ensure affordability and predictability.
Increase funding to the BC Access Grant, providing financial support for students from low- and middle-income backgrounds.
These measures will not only make education more affordable but also ensure that BC remains an attractive destination for international students while fostering equity and opportunity for all learners.
The Power of Collective Action
Students have the power to drive change. We have achieved key victories, including tuition-free Adult Basic Education (ABE) programs and the creation of the BC Access Grant. Now, it is time for the next big step. By uniting under the Rise Up Campaign, we can push for a future where education is a tool for empowerment, not a source of debt.
Take Action Today
It is time to demand better for students in BC. Here are easy ways to make your voice heard:
Visit https://www.rise-up.ca/ to learn more about the campaign and share your post-secondary journey and struggles in a short form.
Sign your name at https://www.rise-up.ca/take-action and send a message to the Premier, David Eby, the Minister of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills, Anne Kang, and your MLA.
Education should be affordable, equitable, and accessible to everyone. Together, we can build a post-secondary system that prioritizes education over profit, access over barriers, and opportunity over debt. Let’s rise up and make affordable education a reality for all.