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LGBTQ student debt over 15 percent higher, poll finds

A recent study conducted by the The Forum Poll found that those who self-identify with the LGBTQ community are far more likely to have a higher student debt when leaving school.

 Photo: Canadian Money / ShutterstockPhoto: Canadian Money / Shutterstock

A recent study conducted by the The Forum Poll found that those who self-identify with the LGBTQ community are far more likely to have higher student debt when leaving their postsecondary education institution.

The results came from a sampling of 1,163 Canadians, 16 years of age or older, who attended a postsecondary education institution. It found that 48 percent of students were left with a total student debt of $1 - $10,000 when they left their academic institution, regardless of they graduated.

In addition, it found that over a quarter of students carried a debt of $10,001 - $20,000, and that ten percent carried a debt of $20,000 - $30,000; 6% were left with $30,001-$40,000.

Interestingly, those who self-identify with the LGBTQ community are likely to have a far higher student debt upon leaving school. Specifically, 66 percent of members of this community report having more than $10,000+ in student debt, compared to 50 percent of the rest of the population.

What's more, 1 in 10 LGBTQ community members community members carry over $70,000 in student debt.

“The vast majority of Canadians say that their post-secondary education was a worthwhile investment, regardless of the cost,” said Dr. Lorne Bozinoff, President of Forum Research.

“Amongst those who self-identify as LGBTQ2SIAP+, three-quarters said that a student loan was “very” important to their ability to continue their education after high school, considerably above the average.”

1 in 10 respondents said that they identify with the LGBTQ2SIAP+ community.