The 2023-24 Students Affairs report reveals a record number of undergraduate applicants and increased financial aid for equity-deserving students.
The Student Affairs Annual Report for the 2023-24 academic year was released on Nov. 14. The report provides a glance at the changes and impacts of the over 20 Student Affairs programs at Queen’s, including Undergraduate ission & Recruitment, Registrar & Financial Aid Services, and Student Wellness Services. The report incorporated the work of over 1,700 paid and volunteer student positions in Student Affairs.
In an interview with The Journal, Vice-Provost (Student Affairs) Ann Tierney explained the year’s report highlights the contributions students make to the University’s programs and services across Student Affairs.
The report pointed to an eight per cent increase in applicants for the current incoming fall class, reaching over 58,000 students—the highest number in the University’s history, topping the previous year’s 54,500. However, international student enrolment saw a decline, dropping from 11 per cent the previous year to eight per cent of students attending high school outside of Canada. International visa students went up from 10 per cent to 11 per cent.
The incoming class average remained the same at 90.5 per cent. “Our applicant pool is strong for our students that are going to be starting next September, and so we really expect it to continue that we’re going to meet all our enrollment targets,” Tierney said. When asked about future applicant numbers, Tierney expressed uncertainty surrounding applications and enrollment of international students, citing changes in study visa rules and federal caps on enrollment due to the two-year cap placed on study permits by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada. Announced in 2024, the cap marked a 35 per cent decrease from 2023 to 360,000 permits according to the Government of Canada.
READ MORE: International student enrolment sinks amid federal visa cap
The report showed an increase in financial aid for equity-deserving students, with $11.9 million in awards distributed to 3,546 “Black-Canadian, racialized, and Indigenous students,” an increase from $10.8 million distributed to 2,132 students in 2022-23. The report notes a rise in Promise Scholarships awarded to local first-generation students from the city of Kingston and its surrounding counties. Sixteen scholars, in comparison to 10 from the previous year, will receive $60,000 to $100,000 in financial aid over the course of four years.
The report notes a rise in Promise Scholarships awarded to local first-generation students from the city of Kingston and its surrounding counties. Sixteen scholars, in comparison to ten from the previous year, will receive $60,000 to $100,000 in financial aid over the course of four years.
“We know that every year, highly qualified students apply to Queen’s, and we want them to be able to say yes to their offer of ission and not have the finances be the thing that impacts them, the thing that means that they can’t come,” Tierney said. “[Financial Aid] has made a really significant difference in the diversity of our student population, and that’s really exciting.”
Equity initiatives on campus were another key focus, with programming ing projects such as Queen’s University International Centre, Yellow House Student Centre for Equity & Inclusion, Ban Righ Centre, and the Four Directions Indigenous Student Centre. Tierney emphasized the importance of collaboration between different student bodies, including the AMS, the Society of Graduate and Professional Students (SGPS), Student Affairs, and faculties in the process of ing on-campus equity initiatives and programs.
Tierney emphasized the importance of collaboration between different student bodies, including the AMS, the Society of Graduate and Professional Students (SGPS), Student Affairs, and faculties in the process of ing on-campus equity initiatives and programs.
“We attract students here from all over the country and all over the world, and we want every student to feel that sense of belonging and connection here,” Tierney said.
The Student Affairs Annual Report is released every fall for the previous academic year.
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