With some students calling him a “hero” and the “leader of the educational revolution,” a Calgary student has had his government funding restored after going public with his concerns.

A story detailing 29-year-old Kirk Russell’s case appeared in the Thursday print edition of Metro. He claimed his roughly $1,700 cheques provided by Alberta Works were being pulled over an influx of absences at school after he suffered serious injuries during move last semester and his wife battled an internal ailment earlier in the spring.

The Alberta Works program provides guidance and financial assistance to low-income citizens attempting to pursue new careers.

Russell, who is enrolled in a post-secondary preparation program at Bow Valley College, said he was pulled from class Thursday morning and informed that his funding had been restored.

“It’s an amazing feeling to know I have that funding under my feet again . . . my wife was in tears when I told her,” Russell said.

The funding is the only source of income for the Russells, who also have a nine-month-old son.