Canada’s graduate students crippled by wages that haven’t risen since 2003
Anxiety, stress and thoughts of dropping out of master’s and PhDs have become commonplace
Stipends for graduate students in Canada have not risen for 20 years. As a result, they face daily financial struggles and crippling debt, according to a student-run group. It also warns the research community is at risk from a shrinking student population and a less diverse workforce.
Almost 90% of graduate students say they are experiencing stress and anxiety about their finances, finds a national survey by the Ottawa Science Policy Network (OSPN), which received over 1300 responses. Almost a third have considered leaving their studies because of financial concerns.