Students Benefit from Investments in Post-Secondary Education

Released on March 19, 2014

Saskatchewan students and post-secondary institutions continue to benefit from strong provincial support in the 2014-15 Budget.

The budget provides an increase in operating funds to post-secondary institutions, investments in student support and funding for key capital projects.

“We need to ensure that our young people have the education and training they need to succeed in our growing economy,” Advanced Education Minister Rob Norris said. “By investing in post secondary education and ensuring education is accessible and affordable for our students, we are meeting that challenge.”

The Ministry of Advanced Education will receive $817.8 million, an increase of $24 million or 3.7 per cent over last year to support operational increases and several key investments at post-secondary institutions.

This includes a $12.3 million increase in operating funds, representing an average two per cent increase for universities, federated and affiliated colleges, technical institutes and regional colleges as well as a $19.8 million direct investment in First Nations and Métis education.

The budget makes post-secondary education more affordable by providing $134 million in student supports including:

$82 million in refundable and non-refundable tax credits for the Graduate Retention Program, an increase of $18.1 million or 28.3 per cent;
$7.0 million for the Saskatchewan Advantage Scholarship;
$7.5 million in funding for the Saskatchewan Advantage Grant for Education Savings;
$32 million for the Student Aid Fund to support grants and bursaries through the Student Loan Program; and
$5.0 million for other scholarships.

The budget also provides $32.6 million in capital investments to support post-secondary infrastructure including:

$6.5 million for the Health Sciences Facility at the University of Saskatchewan;
$4.5 million to support construction of the Trades and Technology Centre at Parkland Regional College;
$1.0 million to support the ongoing construction of the Southeast Regional College; and
$20.6 million for capital improvements, repairs and equipment at post-secondary institutions.

Other budget highlights include:

$5.0 million in operating funding for the Health Sciences facility;
$2.6 million increase in funds to fully implement the physician training seat expansion as well as the addition of five more nurse practitioner seats; and
More than $17 million for Canadian Light Source Synchrotron, International Vaccine Centre, Water Research Chair and other initiatives including $6.3 million from the Innovation and Science Fund.

“We are investing in students and educational infrastructure to help address key challenges of growth,” Norris said. “Since 2008, there has been a 40 per cent increase in the number of First Nations and Métis people in Saskatchewan who have a university degree and an overall 18 per cent increase in the number of Saskatchewan workers with a post-secondary certificate, diploma or degree.

“We know the benefits associated with completing a post secondary education. A person’s earning potential and overall income greatly enhance the quality of life for students and families in Saskatchewan.

“Post-secondary graduates are well positioned to move from learning to earning which speaks to the excellent post secondary education they are receiving. Once students graduate, they have many opportunities when it comes to participating in Saskatchewan’s robust labour market.”

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For more information, contact:

Rikki Bote
Advanced Education
Regina
Phone: 306-787-4156

Students Benefit from Investments in Post-Secondary Education

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