QUEBEC - The Quebec government is proposing changes to its student-loan program that will see loan reimbursements pegged to the income of students and their parents.

Starting this fall, students whose parents earn an annual income of $100,000 or less will be eligible for a loan that covers the full cost of tuition and school supplies.

Students whose parents earn $60,000 or less will now qualify for a loan without making a family contribution.

And next year, the government says university grads will benefit from a more flexible loan re-payment schedule.

"Now is the time to put on the table a governmental decision to make sure that students that are worried by questions of accessibility, and parents that are worried about these questions don't worry anymore," said Finance Minister Raymond Bachand. "Instead of being fixed amounts, like your mortgage, it will be variable amounts depending on your revenue."

Students interviewed by CTV Montreal weren't complaining but nor did they promise to set aside their ongoing protests.

"I think it's a good thing, but i still think the government should be negotiating with students to reduce the tuition increases," said Veronique Larouche of Laval University.

The provincial opposition criticized the move.

"It doesn't help the accessibility to universities and it doesn't help have better management of money that is in universities," said CAQ leader Francois Legault.

The government estimates its expanded loan program will help roughly 50,000 students, mostly from middle class families.

"Now is the time to put on the table a governmental decision to make sure that students who are worried about questions of accessibility, and parents that are worried about accessibility, don't worry anymore," said Finance Minister Raymond Bachand.

"We will be enlarging the best system in Canada to make sure of that. This will also be done at no expense to the taxpayer, which is very important," Bachand continue, describing what he called a response friendly to the middle class.

The $21 million project, spread over five years, will be paid out of a provincial fund dedicated to finance universities.

Although the increases would still leave Quebec with among the lowest annual tuition rates in the country, at around $3,800, protest leaders say they would limit access to affordable education.

The students have been warned their semester might be cancelled if they don't get back to class by next week.

They are also facing legal threats from students who have successfully filed for court injunctions ordering some schools reopened.

With files from The Canadian Press.