(credit: TheGuardian.pe.ca)

Yesterday afternoon, Robert Ghiz unveiled an incentive in an effort to encourage more Island students to stay here at home to get an education.

A theatre full of grade 11 and 12 Charlottetown Rural students were the first to hear the announcement. Ghiz told the students that the government would be increasing the George Coles Bursary by 10%. The George Coles Bursary is for first-time Island students, pursuing post-secondary education here in the province.

This increase will boost the amount given to bursary recipients in their second semester of school from $2,000 to $2,200. UPEI students are also eligible for the $2,000 George Coles Graduation Scholarship.

Holland College students will be eligible for the $2,200 George Coles Bursary and the Island Skills Award of $1,000 for each year of a two-year program.

Given this announcement and the announcement this spring about eliminating the interest on provincial student loans, it seems like the government is trying to help Island students

Will an incentive like this have any weight on your decision to study on or off PEI?