- Expenditure on Student Services function: $100 million (Up 207% since 2001, Up 55% since 2010)
- Expenditure on Services component (Excludes Scholarships & Bursaries): $46 million (Up 184% since 2001, Up 51% since 2010)
- Expenditure on Scholarships & Bursaries component: $54 million (Up 229% since 2001, Up 58% since 2010)
- Expenditure on Scholarships & Bursaries in General Operating AND Special Purpose & Trust Funds: $75 million (Up 201% since 2001, Up 57% since 2010)
- Income from Other Student Fees in General Operating: $48 million (Up 212% since 2001, Up 49% since 2010)
- Total General Operating Expenditure: $929 million (Up 98% since 2001, Up 29% since 2010)
- Enrollment – 35,034 (Up 59% since 2001, Up 22% since 2010)
The Student Services function represents the third major category of General Operating Expenditure (GOE).
Student Services costs encompass two distinct components – Services (covering all the services provided to support students, including those focused on student health and wellbeing), and the Scholarships & Bursaries component (the funds dispensed for merit- or need-based financial support).
When it comes to Scholarships & Bursaries, another university fund (separate to General Operating) comes into play – the Special Purpose and Trust Fund (SP&T). This fund accounts for income that the universities receive with conditions attached to its use. One of these “special purpose” inflows is money specifically prescribed to go to Scholarships & Bursaries; this money forms a major share of Scholarships & Bursary funding at some universities, less so at others.
The chart below shows the change across the Top 25 since 2001 in “Real PSE Dollars” (adjusted for both inflation and increased enrollment). Included in the chart, for comparison purposes, is the universities’ income from “Other Fees” – compulsory non-academic fees levelled on every student; many of these fees are charged with the specific purpose of funding Student Services. Positive values denote increases exceeding inflation and increased enrollment combined:
9 A) Changes in Real Expenditure and Fees Per FTE Student – By Type (Top 25)
1 A) 2024Download this table (Opens in new tab)
The point was made in the Resource Allocation Topic that the much higher level of expenditure on Student Services is funding vital tools for ensuring student wellbeing, and that that this has undoubtedly been a literal life saver. The increased share of GO funds consumed by Student Services reflects this increased commitment.
2024 Shares of Total GO Expenditure (Top 25):
- Student Services function – 10.8% (6.9% in 2001, 9.0% in 2010)
- Services component – 4.9% of GOE (3.4% in 2001, 4.2% in 2010)
- Scholarships & Bursaries component – 5.8% of GOE (3.5% in 2001, 4.7% in 2010)
- Other Student Fees now account for 5.3% of Total GO income (3.3% in 2001, 4.5% in 2010)
The Rankings show that some universities make a lower level of commitment in this crucial area, although it should be noted that these issues are certainly addressed but handled differently in Québec.
Local factors come into play in this area. A relatively low level of university expenditure on Student Services might not be a major issue if the student association at that university is highly active in providing support in this area, which many are. However, if that’s not the case there are some discussions to be had. Monitoring and promoting student wellbeing is not an area that should be neglected on the modern PSE campus.
In the other direction, some universities may be spending more in this area than they arguably need to spend. Average Top 50 expenditure on the Services component (i.e., excluding Scholarships & Bursaries) was 5.3% of GO Expenditure in 2024, but there were numerous schools in the 8%-11% range. Doubtless, the money was well spent, but it was also money that won’t reach the classroom, so those universities may need to work with their student associations to find the right balance. Part of that process needs to ensure that any freed funding does reach the classroom.
Efficiency Ranking
The underlying methodology for the Efficiency Ranking can be seen HERE.
9 B) STUDENT INTERESTS – SERVICES & SUPPORT: 2024 EFFICIENCY RANKINGS (TOP 50)
5 C) 2024Download this table (Opens in new tab)
Key Efficiency Indicator and Relative Cost Impact
The underlying methodology for the Key Efficiency Indicator and Relative Cost Impact calculation can be seen HERE.
These measures are provided for the Top 50, with 2020 as the base year, and for the Top 25, with 2010 as the base year. The Top 25 table shows the major dollar consequences of the efficiency decline in that timeframe.
9 C) KEY EFFICIENCY INDICATOR AND RCI: 2024 vs 2020 – and – vs LATEST GROUP AVERAGE (TOP 50) – Opens in new tab
9 D) KEY EFFICIENCY INDICATOR AND RCI: 2024 vs 2010 – and – vs LATEST GROUP AVERAGE (TOP 25) – Opens in new tab