I came across that about a week ago. I think it appeared on Slashdot (which I hate, but still visit if I'm really bored). What a great story eh?
It's kind of sad to find out at the end that they never really got an opportunity to use their potental. I think providing free or inexpensive post-secondary education opportunities to citizens is one of the most important things a government can do. Especially if they want to have an economy that can compete in the modern world.
I think tuition in Canada is too expensive --I couldn't imagine trying to get an education in the United States. It would be brutal.