CoNCUSSION TRAINING NOT UP TO TT Universities and colleges are not properly prepared when athletes suffer head injuries turning EDMOND LU photo illustration Family members are equally anxious over cost of tuition and fees By KERA SKOCYLAS any Langara students said both their families and them- selves are financially stressed about the high costs of post- secondary education. A Canadian study published in Set- pember showed that tuition and compul- sory fees, like athletic or student asso- ciation charges, have simultaniously become more expensive for students. The authors said fees “have almost tripled between 1993-94 and 2014-15.” The study, called Tier for Two, was authored by Erika Shaker, director of the Canadian Centre for Policy Alterna- tives, and David Macdonald, senior economist for the CCPA. Nick Davies, second-year Langara student, said the thought of raising tu- ition worries him. He said he lives with his mother and is “mooching off of her.” Scott Hannah, president and CEO of the Credit Counselling Society, said many students believe they'll get stu- dent loans, graduate, get a great job and pay off the loans in a couple years. He said in reality it can take ten years to pay them off, adding many students get help from their families. Langara student Chloe Leclerc said her mother withdrew money from an investment account to pay for her first semester, but won’t be able to help next semester. She said students should look at the fees they’re charged. She said she was initially charged health and dental fees, but was reim- bursed since her mom’s benefits cover her. “Those are kind of hidden fees.” Hannah said it’s critical for students to live within their means. “Control your money [as] opposed to your money controlling you.” CHLOE LECLERC Langara student High price tag for foreign students Students from other coun- tries say they need more scholarship options By SABLEEN MINHAS promising career prospects attract thousands of foreign students to Canada every term, but this promise comes at a huge cost that is burning holes in their parents’ pockets. High tuition fees, few scholarships and bleak employment prospects are adding to the despair. “We have a number of scholarships and bursaries available for internation- al students at Langara,” said Laura Vail, assistant registrar of financial assis- tance and information services. i) Ae educational experience and “Every semester, we recognize two outstanding international students with the Langara international education scholarships,” said Vail. Ajay Patel, dean of international edu- cation at Langara, said “we also have the Han Yin scholarship.” “It is open to international students once a year,” he said. “My parents have taken a loan of about $25,000 to support my studies” said Kirandeep Kaur Sidhu, a Langara environmental studies student from In- dia. “We pay so much...there should be more scholarships for [us],” she added. As per immigration regulations, in- ternational students are only allowed to work 20 hours per week during the aca- demic session. “We can make maybe $800 per month,” said Rajbir Jaswal, a Langara computer science student from India. “With that we have to pay the rent and other bills. So most of us have to depend on parents for money.” Jaswal said some parents borrow money from relatives or other sources, some even mortgage or sell their land. Lack of clarity about tuition fees is another problem international students face, since most depend on educational agents for their admission process. “T got to know about my tuition fees [after I came] here,” said Hernanda Afandi, a university transfer student from Indonesia. “TAgents] didn’t explain everything well, like how much per credit, or the side fees like the U-Pass or insurance,” he said. “All students who are having finan- cial difficulty are encouraged to drop by our office and sit down with an advisor,” said Vail. 66 My parents have taken aloan of about $25,000 to support my studies KIRANDEEP KAUR SIDHU ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES STUDENT Avoiding walk-in wait times Some South Van residents have a strategy before vis- iting walk-in clinics By CHARLOTTE DREWETT South Vancouver walk-in clinic Ae eliminated primary health are effective Nov. 3, creating questions about wait times at other clinics in the area. Patients who plan when they seek medical attention are sidestepping walk-in clinic wait times, according to some clinic users. Viola Kaminski, public affairs officer for Vancouver Coastal Health, said they found people using the South Community Health Centre (SCHC) “could’ve gone to a regular family doc- tor or a walk-in clinic and get the same care.” The closure may mean higher wait times for other walk-ins in South Van- couver, but patients can avoid delays at South Vancouver Medical Clinic (SVMC), said Lisa Hsu the clinic’s man- ager. Hsu said they have an online book- ing service that allows patients to schedule an appointment in advance. “A lot of people like the online book- ing because it’s a lot easier for them,” Hsu said. “We do make sure that the... doctors have time to do walk-ins on top of appointments.” South Vancouver resident, Nancy Frank, has been to SVMC twice, and both times she pre-booked an appoint- ment. Pacific Medical Clinic doesn’t offer online booking but South Vancouver resident Thu Le said she drives by the clinic to see how many patients are in the waiting room. “T don’t stop when there’s more peo- ple there, I know we’re gonna wait an hour, so I just wait for next time,” said Le. Kaminski said a nurse has been working with SCHC patients who need help finding a physician. CHARLOTTE DREWETT photo Wait times may increase if more people show up at the same time.